Michael Tilson Thomas Celebrated at Kennedy Center Honors in Tribute Performance by Alumni of New World Symphony
by Abigail Charpentier
- Dec 12, 2019
This past Sunday, newly awarded Kennedy Center Honoree Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) was celebrated in a special tribute presentation at the 42nd annual Kennedy Center Honors Gala. The tribute included a performance by more than 40 alumni of the New World Symphony, America's Orchestral Academy (NWS), which MTT co-founded 32 years ago as a training ground for the next generation of classical musicians. Conducted by NWS alumnus and Louisville Orchestra Music Director Teddy Abrams, the alumni musicians paid tribute to MTT's wide-ranging artistry, performing a program that celebrated his acclaimed interpretations of modern masters, his advocacy for American music, and his own work as a composer. Joining the orchestra in performance were MTT's longtime friends and collaborators Audra McDonald and Yuja Wang, as well as Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, who recently collaborated with MTT as part of Metallica and San Francisco Symphony's S&M2 concert. Spoken tributes were also given by Mr. Ulrich and actress Debra Winger.
Osmo Vanska to Conduct Minnesota Orchestra's Future Classics Concert, 1/29
by Tyler Peterson
- Jan 8, 2016
The Minnesota Orchestra performs new orchestral works by seven of today's top emerging composers in its eighth annual Future Classics concert, played under the baton of Music Director Osmo Vänskä. The concert, held on Friday, January 29, is the capstone of the 13th Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute, co-presented with the American Composers Forum; the program has consistently earned national recognition. Returning for his second year as the director of the Composer Institute is composer Kevin Puts. All seven featured composers will be present to introduce their music at the concert, which will be emceed by Fred Child, who hosts American Public Media's Performance Today.
Photo Coverage: Toronto Symphony Journeys to Oz
by Kelly Cameron
- Nov 4, 2011
This past weekend the Toronto Symphony Orchestra celebrated Halloween with a special screening of The Wizard of Oz, where the original film was screened in Roy Thomson Hall with the TSO playing the score. Patrons were encouraged to dress up for the event, and BWW was on hand to bring you exclusive coverage of the trip back to Oz!
