03/17/2006

TSO sets season lineup

Traverse Symphony Orchestra continues to stretch, grow

By BECKY KALAJIAN
Special to the Record-Eagle

Special to the Record-Eagle
Maestro Kevin Rhodes has been leading the Traverse Symphony Orchestra in an era of growth and expansion - both in terms of audience numbers and programming.

TRAVERSE CITY — Think you know the TSO? Think again.

After five years of fundraising and wooing new talent, the Traverse Symphony Orchestra has rolled out its 55th season lineup. They'll be serving up meaty classics like the notoriously difficult "Titan" symphony by Gustav Mahler, while throwing in dashes of dance, vintage silent film, and even classical guitar to tempt a range of palates.

The mix is meant to delight its audiences while keeping the TSO's performers on their toes with difficult pieces, said Maestro Kevin Rhodes, who joined TSO six years ago after a 10-year stint with the Vienna State Opera.

"Musically, I have pushed this orchestra further and further and now we are at a place where we can logically take on Mahler or Strauss' polkas and waltzes," said Rhodes, a Massachusetts resident who also conducts the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.

Getting the 75-piece TSO to tackle these musical giants took patience, fund-raising, and a bit of creativity on the part of Rhodes and Andrew Buelow, TSO's executive director. About six years ago when both were hired, the intent was to see the organization blossom from "a community ensemble to a regional, professional orchestra," Buelow said.

To do that, the two increased corporate and private donations, allowing them to increase pay and attract performers from larger metropolitan areas. As a finishing touch, the rehearsal schedule was altered to accommodate the 20 or so out-of-towners who began traveling here to play.

The result, said Rhodes, is a 2006 program that "really represents a stepping stone for us."

"The TSO has become a destination spot for graduate and doctoral students from all over," he said. "The word is that it's a fun thing to do, so they get in the car, come to Traverse City, and play with us. This is a spectacular development."

While Rhodes is excited about the entire season, he is especially looking forward to TSO's collaborations with the Michigan Dance Collective and Bosnian guitarist Denis Azabagic, violinist Frank Huang and "The Mark of Zorro," a silent film that will be accompanied by TSO with conductor Matthew Hazelwood (director of the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra) leading the performance.

Building a program like this one takes time and patience, said Rhodes. He and Buelow hunker down for days in Buelow's office, hashing out what they believe the audience would most like to hear.

This year's mix of dance, film and other entertainment reflects Rhodes' instinct for audience demands, said Buelow.

"Kevin is an extremely rare combination of talent, without a doubt the finest we've ever had," he said. "He's in tune with the audience and really connects with them."

Since Rhodes' arrival, subscription sales surged to more than 1,000 subscribers in 2005-2006 from the previous season's 871, a 19 percent increase. Earned revenue has also increased 35 percent from $262,000 in 2001-2002 to $353,000 in 2004-2005.

Numbers aside, Rhodes enjoys connecting with his listeners.

Before each concert, he gives a talk, describing the music to be heard and illustrating his points with excerpts on the piano.

He will continue this tradition for 2006, which opens Sept. 23. To purchase a subscription, call 947-7120. Tickets for individual shows will be available for purchase after Aug. 29.

Season Opening Gala: Vienna Variété

Saturday, Sept. 23, at 8 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 24, at 3 p.m.

Corson Auditorium,

Interlochen

The 2006-2007 Season opens with a festive concert gala, including red carpets, decorations, sparkling grape juice, and a program celebrating the varied musical moods of old Vienna. Audience members are invited to attend in traditional Viennese attire.

From Russia with Love

Saturday, Oct. 28, at 8 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m.

Corson Auditorium, Interlochen

Acclaimed violinist Frank Huang will make his TSO debut in Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto. The program will open with Gliere's "Russian Sailors Dance." In observation of the centennial of the birth of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich, the TSO will perform his Symphony No. 5.

Beethoven's Best

Sunday, Nov. 19, at 3 p.m.

Corson Auditorium,

Interlochen

Maestro Kevin Rhodes will continue his cycle of Beethoven symphonies on Nov. 19 with the Symphony No. 3 "Eroica." Pianist Robert Below, a long-time summer resident and retired distinguished professor of music at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, will be featured in Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4.

Home for the Holidays

Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9, at 8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 10, at 3 p.m.

Lars Hockstad Auditorium, Traverse City

This seasonal Traverse area tradition will feature the full TSO, Traverse Symphony Chorus, NMC Chorale, and guest soloists in a program of traditional orchestral and choral favorites, from classical to pops. Since becoming the first American to win Italy's Pedrotti International Conducting Competition, Bridget-Michaele Reischl has been an active guest conductor internationally and throughout the United States. She currently serves as music director of the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra.

Winter Surprise

Sunday, Jan. 28, at 3 p.m.

Corson Auditorium,

Interlochen

The TSO will kick off 2007 with music from the Baroque and early Classical eras. From the former will be Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. Co-Principal Trumpet Kenneth Larson, who also serves as trumpet instructor at Interlochen Arts Academy, will make his TSO solo debut in Hummel's Concerto for Trumpet in E-flat Major. Rounding out the program will be Mozart's Symphony No. 38 "Prague" and Haydn's Symphony No. 94 "Surprise."

Sizzling España

Sunday, Feb. 18, at 3 p.m.

Corson Auditorium,

Interlochen

Bosnian émigré Denis Azabagic will make his TSO debut in Rodrigo's beloved "Concierto de Aranjuez." In another first, Rhodes will collaborate with the newly formed Michigan Dance Collective for a performance of Manuel de Falla's ballet El amor brujo ("Love, the Magician"), with mezzo-soprano Jayne Sleder as soloist.

The Mark of Zorro

Sunday, March 18, at 3 p.m.

Corson Auditorium,

Interlochen

Rick Friend, the master of authentic scores for classic silent movies, returns on March 18 with the 1920 film featuring Douglas Fairbanks and Marguerite de la Motte. The film will be projected onto a huge screen suspended above the orchestra, with Friend and the TSO providing live accompaniment. Conductor Matthew Hazelwood (director of the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra) will lead the performance.

By Popular Demand

Saturday, May 26 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 27 at 7 p.m.

City Opera House, TC

In this gala program celebrating the conclusion of the season, Rhodes has selected three of the most requested highlights of his first five years as music director. The concert will open with Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" and Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man." Crowning the performance, Beethoven's monumental Symphony No. 9, with its triumphant "Ode to Joy," will be performed as an early homage to Memorial Day, in honor of all who have fallen in our nation's service, and those who work for peace and freedom.