Beethoven, Schubert symphonies featured in new ProMusica Chamber Orchestra season
Forty-five years have elapsed since the founding of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra in 1978.
A far shorter — but equally consequential — number of years have gone by since the hiring of current music director David Danzmayr and creative partner and principal guest artist Vadim Gluzman.
Both leaders will celebrate their 10th anniversaries with the organization starting with the upcoming 2023-24 season, which the orchestra announced Thursday.
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“They have lifted up the level of artistry for the organization — there is no doubt,” said CEO Janet Chen. “They have really challenged our musicians, and continue to challenge our musicians. Every time we’re in rehearsal, it’s how much better can we be as an ensemble from an artistic standpoint.”
In preparing the new season, though, Danzmayr didn’t want to merely book an assortment of his (or Gluzman’s) favorite pieces.
“We basically said, ‘Let’s not have an overarching structure, let’s give ourselves a little bit more freedom,'" Danzmayr said.
The result is a season full of eclecticism and excitement.
The subscription series will kick off on Oct. 7-8 with a performance to include Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 2” as well as guest violinist Simone Porter. Like all subscription series concerts, the performances will take place in the Southern Theatre; all but one will be conducted by Danzmayr.
Other major guest artists are on tap as the season unfolds.
On Nov. 11-12, composer and steel pan player Andy Akiho will perform his own “Beneath Lighted Coffers,” and on Dec. 9-10, pianist Garrick Ohlsson will be heard on Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No 4.” Both concerts will also feature symphonies by Schubert.
Violinist Fiona Khoung-Huu will join the orchestra on Jan. 27-28, 2024, and cellist Johannes Moser, on April 13-14. The latter concert will be led by Gluzman, who will also be heard in the season finale, conducted by Danzmayr, on May 11-12.
A “Naked Classics” concert — featuring presenter Paul Rissmann analyzing works to be performed by the orchestra that same evening — will take place on Jan. 26, 2024; other concerts and events outside of the subscription series have yet to be announced.
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Reflecting on the past decade of concerts, Danzmayr is proud of the strides the orchestra has made.
“The orchestra now is fulfilling the promise I think that was always there,” he said. “You have a group of people who actually want to play with each other playing together, and unfortunately, that’s kind of rare in the orchestra world.”
Season subscriptions will go on sale today, and single tickets will go on sale in August. For more information, visit promusicacolumbus.org.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: ProMusica Chamber Orchestra announces 2023-24 season
