Symphony opening events signal great season

From left, Sarah and James Fellenbaum, Maestro Lucas Richman and Concertmaster Gabriel Lefkowitz at a picnic at Richman's home. James Fellenbaum is the KSO's resident conductor and director of orchestras at the University of Tennessee.

The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra‘s 2012-2013 season has opened with a flurry of activity that bodes well for a dynamic and interesting year. This is the KSO’s 77th year and it’s also noteworthy because it is the 10th year of Maestro Lucas Richman‘s tenure as music director.

Because of that, Maestro Richman has programmed a wide variety of music, with each performance featuring something that has been particularly meaningful to him as an artist. Already we have been treated to the Symphony in the Park concert (which is actually a fundraiser for Ijams Nature Center – click here) that featured a piece by one of Richman’s early mentors, Aaron Copland, a 20th century American composer and conductor who once wrote a postcard to a six-year-old Lucas Richman in response to a fan letter from him.

Rachel Ford, pictured here with husband, Terry, is the fabulous executive director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.

The first installment of the Moxley Carmichael Masterworks last month featured another Copland piece as well as a composition by Richman himself in which the audience could easily hear the Copland influence. That concert also dazzled with guest piano virtuoso Orion Weiss bringing down the house with Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, a beloved classic. Weiss also was a guest artist during Richman’s inaugural season with the KSO. (Click here for a review of last month’s concert by the News Sentinel’s Harold Duckett.)

This week marked the debut of an approachable new element in the KSO’s programming, a series of recitals by the new 25-year-old concertmaster, Gabriel Lefkowitz, performed at Remedy Coffee in the Old City. The series, called “Gabriel Lefkowitz and Friends” is designed to appeal to new, younger audiences. Tickets are inexpensive ($45 for all three recitals) and the atmosphere is casual. Unlike at the Masterworks concerts where Richman insists on a no-beverages-allowed policy, at Remedy, patrons are encouraged to bring their beverages in with them and enjoy about 60 minutes of beautiful classical music. (I, personally, find this enormously appealing and truly wish Richman would relax his policy at Masterworks.) The recitals, originally set to be on Thursdays only, sold out quickly and Wednesday performances were added. Call (865) 291-3310 for ticket information for the remaining two recitals.

Lucas and Debbie Richman welcome staff, board members and musicians to the fun picnic at their house to celebrate his 10th season at the KSO.

I could go on and on about what a great season this one will be — and how well things are going, in general, for the KSO. The collaboration with Clarence Brown Theatre for Sweeney Todd last month was a rousing success. And at the organization’s annual meeting last month, Executive Director Rachel Ford announced that the KSO finished last year in the black financially – for the sixth consecutive year. This at a time when many other American orchestras are struggling and closing up their doors. (Click here for a story on the state of classical music in Knoxville that recently appeared in Metro Pulse.)

In any case, click here for a link to the KSO website where you can see all the great things coming up. I did want to point out that the upcoming News Sentinel Pops Series is very appealing (at least to me) with concerts featuring the music of Lennon and McCartney, the Streisand Songbook, a concert by trumpeter Doc Severensin (who lives in Knoxville now) and a guest appearance by the amazing (and amazingly popular) pianist Jim Brickman, also known as “America’s romantic piano sensation!”

I hope to see you often at the concert venues. Here are some photos from two of the social occasions that marked the opening of the season — an Opening Gala, sponsored by the Symphony League, and a barbecue dinner hosted by Richman and his wife for the KSO board and musicians. Fun times!

(Disclosure: I am on the board of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. But I would have said these good things even if I were not!)

At the Knoxville Symphony League's Opening Gala, are, from left, Debbie and Lucas Richman, Jenny Kitts (who was chair of the Gala), and KSO Executive Director Rachel Ford.

At the Opening Gala at Club LeConte are Susan Seymour, sitting, with, from left, Carolyn Lawrence, Alan Carmichael and Hannah McDaniel.

At the Symphony Opening Gala are Bette and Richard Bryan, left, and Sharon and Dr. Bill Laing. Both women are on the Symphony's board of directors.

Alan Carmichael, left, with violinist Norris Dryer

Mary and Rick Johnson. Rick has generously agreed to take over the role of chairman-elect for me of the KSO Board so I can complete my term as chair of the Knoxville Area Urban League Board before I take over the KSO post. Thanks, Rick!

From left, Eunsoon Corliss, Curtis Stewart and Stacy Nickell Miller

Fred and Gina Buffum, left, with Pat Jobe at the Gala.

KSO cellist Andy Bryenton grabs a snack at the Gala.

Alan with our friend Carol Zinavage, keyboardist for the KSO, at the Gala.

Just what the doctor ordered! Dr. Bill Laing returning to his table at the Gala! Ha! (I think one of those was mine!)

Violinist Susan Eddelmon was wearing dramatic flowers in her hair. We could see them from the balcony!

Guest artist Orion Weiss, center, with KSO musicians Eunsoon Corliss, left, and Edward Pulgar

"League Ladies," from left, Jackie Newman, Rose Moseley and Jane Venable. The Knoxville Symphony League raises about $200,000 for the Symphony every year.

From left, Terry Ford, violinist Sean Claire, and Concertmaster Gabriel Lefkowitz

Jane and Frank Venable at the Gala.

From left, Stacy Nickell Miller, Curtis Stewart and Rachel Ford

Two nights letter, everyone involved with the Symphony was invited over to the Whittington Creek home of Lucas and Debbie Richman for a picnic dinner,

Here's the welcome sign at base of driveway!

A view of the backyard

Another backyard view

Jim and Kay Clayton enjoying the casual atmosphere

Musician Carol Zinavage, right, and Emily Shane

From left, Bonnie Carpenter, Alan Carmichael, Sheena McCall and Archie Carpenter

Musician Cynthia D'Andrea, left, and League member Willene Chalmers

From left, Mary Johnson, Betsey Bush, Rick Johnson, Toni Lawler, principal clarinet Gary Sperl, and Jon Lawler, chairman of the KSO Board

Harriet and Fred Hodge

Our host, Maestro Richman, raises a glass (well, actually, a red Solo cup!) to celebrate 10 great years with the KSO.

Don't ask me what percussionist Michael Combs is doing with this skull!

Musicians Norris Dryer, left, and Andy Bryenton minus their formal attire

Musicians Bill Pierce and Stacy Miller

KSO staffers Michael Greiner, left, and his sister, Mary Sue Greiner, right, with Mary Sue's husband, Sam Young

Cellist D. Scot Williams and his wife, Nancy Wells