RHODY LIFE

Philharmonic Gala lights the way for 2021-22 season

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The recent Annual Gala Celebration at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium was a ray of light for the coming 2021-22 Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra season.

Conductor Bramwell Tovey speculated that the full indoor concert was conceivably the first held in the country since the pandemic, praising the orchestra, board and audience for their support.

After rousing renditions of Beethoven’s “Egmont, Op. 84: Overture” and Haydn’s “March for the Royal Society of Musicians,” the orchestra paused for some videos on the progress of the Philharmonic Music School and the work that was accomplished during the summer.

A unique auction followed with considerable donations being pledged to continue the work of the school and provide scholarships for needy students.

Last week, I mistakenly wrote that the orchestra was playing Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

One of the world’s greatest pianist, Emanuel Ax, joined the orchestra for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, op. 73, E-flat major (“Emperor”), bringing the audience to its collective feet and prompting Ax to return to the piano and play the most stirring Chopin’s “Polonaise” I have ever heard.

Ax, who has been an avid music educator and ambassador, joined cellist Yo-Yo Ma in a series of pop-up concerts for essential workers, playing from the back of a truck in New York last summer. He was presented the 2021 John Hazen White Sr. Leadership in the Arts Award.

The Collis family were co-recipients of the 2021 John Hazen White Sr. Leadership in the Arts Award.

The Philharmonic’s 2021-22 season opens on Saturday, Sept. 18, with Brahms’s Symphony No. 4 highlighting the concert at Vets.

Season tickets are still available by calling 248-7000, emailing boxoffice@riphil.org or visiting www.riphil.org.

philharmonic, music

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