As usual, the spring season is packed with concerts, events and exhibitions. Last weekend, Jaap van Zweden made his first visit to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and wowed attendees with his interpretation of Mahler’s Sixth. Here’s my review of that concert on April 25.

On Sunday, I visited the new home of Cincinnati Public Radio. It was inspiring to see its halls, airy offices, performance spaces and grounds packed with people and many families enjoying food trucks and instrument petting zoos. Outside, Cincinnati Public Radio President, GM and CEO Rich Eiswerth was directing traffic. Inside, I heard Matthew Swanson lead members of the May Festival Chorus in “Everything’s Coming up Roses,” and indeed, it was.

Also last weekend, I heard a farewell concert on April 26 in Corbett Auditorium at CCM in honor of two CCM faculty members, Distinguished Teaching Professor of Music Theory and Composition Miguel Roig-Francoli and Professor of Voice and Dieterle Chair of Music Karen Lykes, both retiring after careers of some 30 years each.

The opening work was Red River Variations, consisting of a theme penned by Roig-Francoli, followed by eight variations written by his colleagues and current and former students, in his honor. I marveled at the inventive and varied contributions, performed by the CCM Concert Orchestra conducted by its music director Aik Khai Pung.  It was fun to see the fine work by this orchestra, which featured in the concertmaster chair Roig-Francoli’s son, Rafael.

And how inspiring it was to hear opera soprano Joélle Harvey return to perform Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, in honor of Karen Lykes. Harvey’s reputation has soared since graduating from CCM, with performances on the world’s most important stages, from the Met to Teatro La Fenice. I enjoyed her beauty of phrasing and expressive power. It was a sublime tribute to her teacher.

The evening ended with the orchestra’s performance of Roig-Francoli’s own Sinfonia, “De profundis,” in its North American premiere. Its four well-crafted movements ranged from highly dramatic to light and gleaming with color.

Earlier this year, I enjoyed another farewell performance. Professor of Opera Robin Guarino directed her final production at CCM, Benjamin Britten’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” before retiring at the end of this semester. Here’s the review of that enchanting performance.

In fact, eight CCM faculty members, plus one staff member, will be retiring this academic year. I’m assured that searches are currently taking place for their successors.

Here’s the list, with thanks to these superb artist-teachers, and all that they have given to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, their students and the arts community.Read More »