Tchaikovskys Pas de Deux from the Nutcracker for Cello and Harp Musicians of the RPO 2020-12-05 | We are thrilled to share the first installment of #NutcrackerAtHome featuring Benjamin Krug (cello) and Grace Browning (harp) performing their arrangement of the "Pas de Deux" from Act II. Visit rpo.org for more! Audio Editing by Douglas Ashbaugh
Pleasant Valley Suite: A Call To Worship by Jeff Tyzik Musicians of the RPO 2022-02-18 | Audio & Video Editing by Douglas Ashbaugh
Berceuse Romantique, Fritz Kreisler Musicians of the RPO 2021-06-21 | performed in honor of Father's Day Thomas Rodgers, violinReginald Rodgers, piano
RPO in the Neighborhood Musicians of the RPO 2021-06-13 | For Lisa Schmitz and Crane Elementary School, June 2021Videography/Editing by Grace BrowningScript/Performance by Herb Smith, Rebecca Gilbert, Brad Loudis, and Benjamin Krug
#MusicianMonthly Melissa Matson, Viola Musicians of the RPO 2020-12-22 | This month we get to know Melissa Matson: former Principal Viola of the Rochester Philharmonic, as well as a brilliant visual artist and beloved member of the Rochester community. Thank you to Rochester Contemporary Art Center for hosting us!
Tchaikovskys Dance of the Reed Flutes for 3 Flutes, Bassoon, and Contrabassoon Musicians of the RPO 2020-12-21 | #NutcrackerAtHome features the RPO Flute Section: Rebecca Gilbert (Principal Flute) Hayley Grainger (Second Flute) and Angela Lombardo (Third Flute/Piccolo). Bass lines brought to you by Kevin Grainger on Bassoon and Contrabassoon -- edited by Grace Browning and Dan Gross.
2020 Year-End Challenge: Gratitude from your RPO Family Musicians of the RPO 2020-11-20 | As we near the end of 2020, we give thanks to our extended RPO family: our devoted followers, supporters, subscribers, and donors who make what we do possible. In response to the pandemic, we have worked tirelessly to create new platforms for sharing our music, adapting to virtual settings and working with our community to find alternative venues to keep the music alive. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you - virtually or in person - on our stage again soon. Stay safe!
Willa, Daryl, Olita and Ingrid perform Amy Beach at Susan B. Anthonys House Musicians of the RPO 2020-09-07 | Excerpt from RPO's 19th Amendment Concert featuring volunteer performances by Musicians of the RPO at the Susan B. Anthony House & Museum. Recorded and streamed live in celebration of Equality Day on August 26th, 2020. Audio by Dan GrossVideo by Doug Ashbaugh and Grace BrowningPerformed by Willa Finck (violin) Daryl Perlo (violin) Olita Povero (viola) and Ingrid Bock (cello)Recording funding made possible by Dr. George Schwarz
RPO Snapshots: Stephen Laifer, Fourth Horn Musicians of the RPO 2020-07-25 | Steve Laifer tells us about his first notes on the horn, shares his journey to the RPO, and introduces us to his beloved canine assistant: Zoey. Filmed by Douglas AshbaughEdited by Grace Browning
A Message of Thanks from your RPO Musicians of the RPO 2020-07-25 | On behalf of all of us at the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, we thank our beloved community and supporters for helping us reach our end-of-season matching challenge. Video features Jeff Tyzik, Principal Pops Conductor, Liana and Lars Kirvan, Grace Browning, Benjamin Krug, and Ellen Sonnenberg. Videography by Douglas Ashbaugh.
A message of thanks from your RPO Musicians of the RPO 2020-07-17 | From the bottom of our hearts, we thank the greater Rochester community for their support as we finish our 2019-2020 season with a successful matching gift challenge. Video features in order: Jeff Tyzik, Principal Pops Conductor, Liana and Lars Kirvan, Grace Browning, Benjamin Krug, and Ellen Sonnenberg. Edited by Douglas Ashbaugh. Directed by Grace Browning.
RPO Living Room Series with the Salaff Quartet July 11th, 2020 Musicians of the RPO 2020-07-14 | The Salaff Quartet is made up of members of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. This was a pre-recorded outdoor performance from Tuesday, July 7th that was premiered on the RPO Facebook page on Saturday, July 11th due to forecast of rain. The quartet plays music by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Haydn, J.S. Bach, and Debussy. The members of the Salaff Quartet are:1st Violin: Thomas Rodgers2nd Violin: Molly McDonaldViola: Aika ItoCello: Benjamin Krug
Aint Misbehavin by Fats Waller, arr. Lee Norris - RPO Brass Quintet Musicians of the RPO 2020-07-04 | Wes Nance and Doug Prosser, trumpetMaura McCune Corvington, hornJeffrey Gray, bass trombone David Bruestle, trombone
RPO Musicians Perform at Black Lives Matter Rally 6/27/2020 Musicians of the RPO 2020-06-30 | Introduction by Herb Smith, conductor, at MLK Park in tribute to Black Lives Matter and the "Say Her Name" campaign. Recorded by Dan Gross. Music features "Fanfare for the Common Man" written by Aaron Copland in 1942.
Brahms Symphony No. 1, Movement 2 excerpt Musicians of the RPO 2020-06-15 | brought to you by the violists of the RPO: Ben Magruder, Aaron Mossburg, Matthew Euewes , Olita Povero, Melissa Matson, Marc Anderson, and Olivia Chew.
Pleasant Valley Suite A Call to Worship Preview 1 Musicians of the RPO 2020-05-29 | Preview of the first RPO virtual video featuring Jeff Tyzik's "A Call to Worship"
Introduction of RPO LR Series Concert on May 30, 2020 Musicians of the RPO 2020-05-28 | Enjoy the wonderful artistry of RPO cellist, Zexun (Jason) Shen. This is a preview of the recital he will present on the RPO Living Room Series this Saturday evening (March 30th) at 6pm EST.
Meditation from Thaïs with Willa Finck and Grace Browning Musicians of the RPO 2020-05-12 | Happy Birthday to Jules Massanet, beloved composer of the opera THAIS! May 11, 2020. Video and sound editing by Douglas Ashbaugh.
Living Room Series: Episode 5 with Herb Smith Musicians of the RPO 2020-05-11 | Premiered on Facebook Live, April 25th, 2020 on behalf of the Musicians of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Happy Mothers Day from Japan to New York! Musicians of the RPO 2020-05-10 | #MusicConnectsUs Enjoy this beautiful offering from our violinist Aika Ito performing with her mother thousands of miles away in Japan. Pictures taken by Aika's grandmother at the beautiful Ueno Garden in Hokkaido. We are grateful for mothers everywhere!
Cello Divas on WXXI Backstage Pass with Julia Figueras - 2008 Musicians of the RPO 2020-04-23 | The Cello Divas, featuring Kathleen Kemp, Ingrid Bock, Mimi Hwang, and Rosemary Elliot, performed together from 2001 to 2011 and were featured on WXXI Classical 91.5's Backstage Pass with Julia Figueras in 2008, winning the Bronze Medal for New York Festivals. This was posted with permission from Julia Figueras representing WXXI Classical 91.5
Aika Ito performs Andante from Bach Sonata No 2 in A minor Musicians of the RPO 2020-04-22 | I hope that this slow movement of Bach will bring you some peace! I appreciate all of the support the RPO receives from the Rochester community and believe that music can help us always.Many thanks to Chris Petit and the Episcopal Church of St. LukeBach Sonata in A minor written in 1720Aiki Ito, baroque violi
RPO Cellists Perform Home on the Range Musicians of the RPO 2020-04-22 | #MusicConnectsUs During these challenging times, the RPO cello section thanks all the members of the Rochester community for their support. We offer this as a token of gratitude and hope, looking forward to the day we can all be "home" again at Eastman Theater! Video by Zexun (Jason) Shen
Reed-Making 101 with Geoff Sanford, Oboist Musicians of the RPO 2020-04-16 | A special educational feature from our oboist, Geoff Sanford, professor at the Eastman School of Music, taking us behind-the-scenes to his reed-making den. #TeacherFeatureFriday
Thomas Rodgers performs Handels Sonata in F Major (Op. 1) Musicians of the RPO 2020-04-14 | #MusicConnectsUs Violinist Thomas Rodgers performs Handel at his home in Indiana, accompanied by his father, Reginald Rodgers, on piano. Thomas shares this hopeful message with the RPO Community: "We are all very disappointed to cancel and/or postpone our concerts, but we believe that the music must continue! My father joins me in a selection from Handel's beautiful Violin Sonata in F Major; I enjoy playing Handel's music, because his melodic writing is just so gorgeous. I hope this can provide you with some light during these challenging times, and we look forward to seeing you back at the hall soon!"
Angela Lombardo performs Hungarian Fantasy Op. 26 by Francois Doppler Musicians of the RPO 2020-04-09 | #MusicConnectsUs Angela, the newest member of our flute/piccolo section, performs from her living room during the COVID-19 crisis, offering this inspiring statement: "If there is one thing I learned from my years spent away from the flute, it's that you never really forget how to play as long as you can keep the sound alive in your imagination. Yes, fingers get rusty and tone becomes airy and unfocused - but if you can still hear what your heart is speaking in the space of complete silence, you haven't really lost anything that you can't soon again recover. Art is never finished - it is a work in progress always, and it is the process that I love the most. Here is where I am today. I hope you enjoy!"
Hayley Grainger performs Caprice No. 30 by Sigfrid Karg-Elert Musicians of the RPO 2020-04-07 | #MusicConnectsUs Hi there! My name is Hayley Grainger and I am so happy to play second flute and piccolo in your Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. There is very little normalcy to our lives right now, but we are eager to share with you some “performances” from our homes during this unique time. This is Sigfrid Karg-Elert’s Caprice No. 30. I enjoy playing Karg-Elert’s music and especially love this chaconne for the way that it starts so simply - with a four note descending bass line - and takes the listener through seventeen beautifully elaborate variations. I am so looking forward to the day when we can be together in Kodak Hall. In the meantime, wishing safety and health to you and your family.
RPO Flute Section performs Trio in G Major by Johann Joachim Quantz Musicians of the RPO 2020-04-06 | #MusicConnectsUs Virtual Trio performed by RPO Musicians Rebecca Gilbert (center, Principal Flute), Hayley Grainger (left, Second Flute) and Angela Lombardo (right, Flute/Piccolo). Video editing by Douglas Ashbaugh
The Living Room Series: Episode 2 Musicians of the RPO 2020-04-04 | Support the stream: streamlabs.com/musiciansoftherpo
Willa Finck performs Largo from Bach Violin Sonata No. 3 in C Major Musicians of the RPO 2020-03-21 | #MusicConnectsUs Following our friends in the Met Orchestra, the Musicians of the RPO are responding to the COVID crisis with a commitment to keeping the music alive. Although we cannot perform as an orchestra in our theater, we are proud to bring you virtual performances every week.
Willa and Grace perform Oh Danny Boy, St. Patricks Day 2020 Musicians of the RPO 2020-03-19 | #MusicConnectsUs While the Musicians of the RPO are unable to perform concerts together in our beautiful Kodak Hall, we are grateful to be able to share music from our living room to yours. Here is a special arrangement of "Oh Danny Boy", one of our favorite tunes for violin and harp, performed by Willa Finck and Grace Browning. Leaving you with a special Irish "grace" (pun intended) and wishing you good health and happiness until we meet again. "May the road rise to meet youMay the wind be at your backThe sun shine warm upon your faceThe rain fall soft upon your fieldsAnd until we meet again'Til we meet againMay God hold you in the palm of his hand"
Jason (Zexun) Shen performs Sarabande from Bachs Sixth Cello Suite Musicians of the RPO 2020-03-19 | #MusicConnectsUs Hi! My name is Jason; I'm from the cello section of your beloved RPO. It is very unfortunate that we have to cancel our concerts, but I believe there's no reason for the music to stop. So it is with great pleasure that I offer a performance the slow dance movement (Sarabande) from the D-Major Cello Suite (#6) by Bach. The warmth and positive energy from the key of D major, the brilliance of the harmony, and the peaceful, elegant nature of the dance make this one of my favorite pieces to play. I hope all of you will stay healthy and safe during this unusual time. We are really looking forward to seeing you again in the Kodak Hall soon!
Rebecca Gilbert performs Rouses Flute Concerto Musicians of the RPO 2020-03-19 | This video debuted at Eastman Theater in November 2019 preceding Rebecca Gilbert's performance of Christopher Rouse's Flute Concerto with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Videography by Grace Browning, Harpist
Robert Hunt Simonds (violin) performs Passacaglia by Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber Musicians of the RPO 2020-03-19 | #MusicConnectsUs Following our friends in the Met Orchestra, the Musicians of the RPO are responding to the COVID crisis with a commitment to keeping the music alive. Although we cannot perform as an orchestra in our theater, we are proud to bring you virtual performances every week until we can return to our beloved Kodak Hall. Here is an offering from our Principal Second Violin, Robert Hunt Simonds:In the hopes of continuing to foster a sense of community around music, I’d like to offer a piece of music that I imagine people have been gathering around for centuries. This music, written nearly 350 years ago by the Austrian violinist and composer Heinrich Biber, has been a big part of my life. I have performed it in concerts around the country and at services to mark the passing of family members. “Passacaglia” is the title, but it is also the musical form--variations built over a ground bass. Simply put, a ground bass is just a repeating musical figure; in this case, a descending four note pattern known as a lament. What’s interesting is that while that type of four note motive was prominent in the 17th century, it is also a feature of American music. You’ll hear it in Bob Dylan's "Simple Twist of Fate" and Robert Johnson’s “Walking Blues” as well as blues-inspired British bands, for instance, "My Guitar Gently Weeps” by The Beatles and “Dazed and Confused” by Led Zeppelin.The music’s architecture is so simple but the intent is so ambitious. Biber imagined techniques and a scope that was unprecedented in his day, but the relentless ground bass makes it seem eternal. Yes, the techniques are interesting, but what makes it enduring is the sense of searching to express something indescribable. And ultimately, that is what great music does; it is what we strive to do every week when we take to the stage.In the meantime, please stay connected to our social media as we’ll share more performances and updates during this hiatus. When it is safe for all of us to meet again, we will begin the rebuilding process together.
Fratres by Arvo Pärt (excerpt) for Violin and Harp Musicians of the RPO 2020-02-14 | Filmed at the gorgeous Third Church Presbyterian Chapel featuring Willa Finck (violin) and Grace Browning (harp) of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
Love at the RPO: Juliana Athayde and Erik Behr Musicians of the RPO 2020-02-13 | Celebrating Valentine's Day with our favorite couple: Juliana Athayde (concertmaster), Erik Behr (principal oboe), and their beautiful daughters, Kaia and Ella. Videography by Grace Browning and Willa FinckEdited by Grace Browning and Douglas Ashbaugh
