Thursday, December 31, 2009

South Texas Finest in 2009

Here are ten concerts that knocked my socks off around South Texas this last year - host John Clare.
Ten great concerts in 2009

10. Austin Symphony Peter Bay May 2009 – World Premiere of Dan Welcher’s Fifth Symphony – wonderful celebration of 10 years with Peter Bay leading the Austin Symphony and a orchestral tour de force from Welcher.

9. Round Top Festival Orchestra JoAnn Falletta June 2009– Ballet Russe 100th – Ballet scores presented with young people of Round Top and maestro Falletta, hard to beat!

8. Five Browns in Kerrville May 2009 – Debussy Nocturnes with two pianos blew me away but how fun is The Planets with five pianos!

7. SOLI gone Mad! May 2009 – Music by Higdon, Torke & Maxwell Davies. Stunning visuals and out of this world singing by guest Timothy Jones.

6. Czech it out! Mid Texas Symphony David Mairs Di Wu September 2009 – Musical interpretation of Chopin’s First Piano Concerto with this Cliburn Competition finalist.

5. SAIPC Silver Medalist Andrea Lam October 2009 – stunning Prokofiev Piano Sonata from this young Australian!

4. Carmina Burana & Gil Shaham San Antonio Symphony Ken David Masur September 2009 – Shaham’s encore of Bach was to die for, and his Barber was equally stunning.

3. Beethoven 7 San Antonio Symphony Alondra de la Parra October 2009 – The clear choice for Music Director, Alondra de la Parra brought out the best for Beethoven’s masterpiece.

2. Assad Brothers in concert Southwest Guitar Festival February 2009 – Amazing duo and solo playing from the dream team from Brazil.

1. Solely SOLI March 2009 – Music by Rodriguez, Williams, Puts, and Vega. Excellent programming and playing from SOLI Chamber Ensemble.

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