NOVEMBER 2017 One City One Symphony: Speak Truth Page 47 CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA • CINCINNATI POPS ORCHESTRA American Originals Vol. 2 A Night of Jazz with Gregory Porter Page 23 Page 43 Paavo Järvi + Grieg’s Piano Concerto Polar Express: A Musical Storybook Page 31 Page 57 Home is where your heart is – and your future. ŏ:HSODQWRVWD\LQRXUKRPHIRUDORQJWLPHZLWKWKHKHOSRI&RQƓGHQW/LYLQJ %\XVLQJWKHLUZHOOQHVVSURJUDPVDQGQHWZRUNRIUHVRXUFHVZHFDQVWD\ LQGHSHQGHQWDQGKHDOWK\$QGLIZHQHHGKRPHFDUHVHUYLFHVLQWKHIXWXUH ZHKDYHDSHUVRQDO&DUH&RRUGLQDWRU ZKRZLOOPDQDJHWKHGHWDLOVVRRXU FKLOGUHQZRQōWEHH[SHFWHGWRDUUDQJH DQGSURYLGHFDUHŐ Ŋ&RQƓGHQW/LYLQJPHPEHU If you’re between 50 and 80 and in good health, join us for an informational event. 8KUKV%QPƂFGPV.KXKPIQTIQTECNN Confi dent Living, a Life Enriching Communities program, is affi liated with the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church and welcomes people of all faiths. We do not discriminate and we provide free assistance in your native language, if needed. Find our complete non-discrimination policy at LEC.org. NOVEMBER 2017 CONTENTS CONCERTS 45 Gregory Porter, named by NPR as “The next great male jazz singer,” joins the Cincinnati Pops and John 23 Pops: American Originals, Vol. 2, Morris Russell for an evening of music Nov. 10–12 well-suited to his soulful baritone and 24 Guest artists: Rhiannon Giddens, poetic delivery, Nov. 19. Pokey LaFarge, Steep Canyon Rangers, Robyn Watson 55 Cellist Truls Mørk performs 31 CSO: Paavo Järvi + Grieg’s Piano Concerto, Shostakovich’s triumphant Cello Nov. 17–18 Concerto No. 1 with the CSO and 40 Guest artists: Paavo Järvi, conductor; Louis Langrée for this season’s One Alice Sara Ott, pianist City, One Symphony concerts Nov. 24–25. Subtitled “Speak 43 Pops: A Night of Jazz with Gregory Porter, Truth,” the concerts also feature Nov. 19 Tchaikovsky’s heartbreaking Pathétique 45 Guest artist: Gregory Porter Symphony No. 6 and the world premiere of 47 CSO: One City, One Symphony: Tchaikovsky Abound by American composer Emily Cooley. Symphony No. 6, Nov. 24–25 55 Guest artist: Truls Mørk, cellist 57 Lollipops Family Concert: The Polar NEWS Express, Nov. 25 12 Feature: One City, One Symphony: 24 Grammy nominated roots and Speak Truth blues singer Rhiannon Giddens, along 28 Q&A with Steep Canyon Rangers with ragtime singer/songwriter Pokey Also: Throwback to American Originals Vol. 1 LaFarge and bluegrass masters Steep Canyon Rangers, headline the Pops’ American Originals, Vol. 2 concerts (to be recorded live!) Nov. 10-12, John DEPARTMENTS Morris Russell conducting. 6 A Letter from the President 40 CSO Music Director Laureate Paavo Järvi returns Nov. 17–18 to 8 Your Concert Experience lead the Orchestra and guest pianist 10 Orchestra Roster Alice Sara Ott in an audience favorite, 11 What’s New at Music Hall Grieg’s Piano Concerto. Also on the program are Schumann’s expansive 14 Artistic Leadership: Louis Langrée and Symphony No. 3, Rhenish, a romantic John Morris Russell impression of Germany’s Rhineland, 17 If It Sounds Good, It Is Good! by JMR and Hindemith’s Mathis der Maler, 18 Spotlight: Rick Reynolds music that glorifies artistic freedom of expression over oppression. 20 Spotlight: Jackie Sweeney 58 Directors & Advisors 61 Financial Support 67 Administration 68 Coda 2 | FANFARE CINCINNATI | cincinnatisymphony.org FANFARE CINCINNATI STAFF: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops Vice President of Communications Chris Pinelo Director of Communications Meghan Berneking Digital Communications Manager Lee Snow Communications Assistant Kayla Moore Editor/Layout McKibben Publications All contents © 2017–18. The contents cannot be reproduced in any manner, whole or in part, without written permission from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops. CINCINNATI SYMPHONY & CINCINNATI POPS ORCHESTRA ON THE COVER One City, One Symphony Music Hall returns, this time exploring the theme of “Speak 1241 Elm Street Truth” in light of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, Cincinnati, OH 45202 conducted by Louis Langrée. 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Thank you! 4 | FANFARE CINCINNATI | cincinnatisymphony.org BrillianceA SEASON OF A PLACE LIKE NO OTHER 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, OH 45150 www.CincyNature.org A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT—Jonathan Martin Dear Friends, that went into making Music Hall more welcoming, more comfortable and more accessible...all the while The reviews are in and Music Hall looks and sounds rediscovering this building’s historic grandeur. ĴȱȱǯȱThe New York Times declares, “Cincin- ȱǰȱ ȱ ȱȱȱĴȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱ ¢ǯǯǯǯȱ ȱȱȱȱ ěȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ£ȱ¢ȱȱȱ- plans were being sent back to the drawing board, this ing this important endeavor, and the many donors, city’s stately 1878 red brick Music Hall was reopening ȱĜȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ to cheers after a $143 million, 16-month renovation ensure Music Hall will be there for future generations. that restored its High Victorian Gothic grandeur, There are so many moving parts with a project of uncovered bricked-over windows to open its facade this scope, and it was expertly managed by 3CDC, an to the surrounding neighborhood....” According to organization that poured itself into this undertaking. CityBeat, “Sonic balances are equalized, the CSO’s We are also grateful for the extraordinary design command of dynamic and tonal palettes can be team, including the architects, theater consultants and fully heard and the sound’s overall presence and acousticians, for their vision and meticulous work. immediacy are a marvel,” and according to Movers & Louis Langrée and I want to especially thank Paul Makers, “Sightlines are improved. Seats and legroom ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱĴȱ important and ongoing work in Springer Auditorium, for everyone.... Go experience a new chapter in the where the sound is more present and vibrant than history of Cincinnati’s most iconic landmark—our ever before. now even more worthy temple to music. Lastly, I want to thank Messer Construction and The audience response has been tremendous, and the craftspeople—the hundreds of workers who, this new chapter in the life of this treasured icon with their hands and their hearts, made this historic has the music world buzzing. As we have had op- renovation a reality. They have left an indelible mark portunities to reacquaint ourselves with the space on Music Hall and, thanks to many hands, this glori- and acoustics, I can say that Cincinnati has one of ous icon will delight people from all walks of life for the premier performance halls in the United States. generations to come. This now completed renovation project was Enjoy the performance! complex, and I am impressed with the level of responsibility, care, ingenuity and craftsmanship Welcome home, CSO Join us for indoor tours of this Did you know... National Historic Landmark. the drop ceiling of Corbett Tower was Discover Cincinnati Music Hall’s removed and the 30 foot high coved ceiling magnificent history and see the has been restored to its original height, stunning renovation. Indoor tours are revealing the 19th century stenciling. by appointment and resume November 1st. Group rates available. Call or go online to reserve your spot today! Spmhcincinnati.org • (513) 621-2787 [ARTS] 6 | FANFARE CINCINNATI | cincinnatisymphony.org YOUR CONCERT EXPERIENCE Welcome! Here are some tips for making the most of your concert experience. Welcome back to the beautifully restored Lost and found is located at Guest Services in Music Hall, a National Historic Landmark the Grand Foyer. For inquiries, call 513.381.3300 and the crown jewel of Over-the-Rhine! during business hours. Built in 1878, Music Hall is a welcoming beacon for the community and a pantheon of the arts for Assisted listening devices and seating for generations to come. To learn more about the history audience members with accessibility needs are of Music Hall or to schedule a guided tour, visit the available for all events. Society for the Preservation of Music Hall’s website Accessible restrooms are located on all levels. at spmhcincinnati.org. Please silence all noise-making electronics before Stay up-to-date with the CSO and Pops via entering the auditorium. Flash photography, ǰȱ Ĵȱȱ ǯ glowing screens and audio/video recording are Visit the Bravo Shop located in the Grand prohibited during concerts. Foyer. CD recordings, merchandise