When conductor’s away, Promusica still plays in outdoor performance
The Promusica Chamber Orchestra’s annual “Summer Music Series” waits for no man — and, as it turns out, no conductor.
This year’s edition — to take place at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens — will kick off Thursday despite the unavailability of Music Director David Danzmayr, who is wrapping up an engagement with the Utah Symphony.
The options included hiring an outside guest conductor or nixing the concert altogether, but it was suggested that the reins be temporarily handed to concertmaster Katherine Mclin.
“Katie is such a great leader,” Danzmayr said. “Why not have them do something on their own, what they want to do?”
In addition to leading the orchestra during the concert, Mclin also selected the pieces to be performed.
“It’s been fun,” Mclin said. “I don’t usually have a say in what we play.”
Danzmayr appreciates the
Who: Promusica Chamber Orchestra
What: “Summer Music Series”
Where: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E. Broad St.
Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
Contact: 614-464-0066, www. promusicacolumbus.org
Admission: free
appeal of the program for the musicians.
“Look, it’s freedom — freedom from the suppression of the conductor,” he said with a laugh.
Throughout the Thursday program, Mclin will spotlight her stringedinstrument colleagues.
The concert will open with Antonio Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Four Violins,” which, like each of the works on the bill, will feature only members of the string section. (For the Summer Music Series shows, the orchestra comprises 34 members; 21 play stringed instruments.)
“Audiences love it, and it would give us a chance to highlight some of the members of our violin section,” said Mclin, who will be featured alongside fellow violinists Amy Cave, Eric Kline and Heather Kufchak.
For the next piece — Max Bruch’s “Kol Nidrei for Cello and String Orchestra” — Mclin aimed to feature principal cellist Marc Moskovitz.
“‘Kol Nidrei’ is such a masterwork for cello,” Mclin said.
The balance of the bill consists of works that are personal favorites of the concertmaster: Peter Warlock’s “Capriol Suite” and Edvard Grieg’s “Holberg Suite.”
“You want to do music that makes you happy,” Mclin said.
For his return to the conductor’s podium on Saturday, Danzmayr will lead the full orchestra in an all-mozart program, including the composer’s “Divertimento No. 136.”
“For me, it’s the perfect outdoor piece because it’s so peaceful and energetic at the same time,” Danzmayr said.
Also on tap are Mozart’s “Symphony No. 41” and excerpts from his 1791 opera “The Magic Flute,” the latter featuring soprano Chelsea Hart Melcher and bass-baritone Adam Cioffari.
“If I would have to choose a favorite opera, it would be, without any question, ‘The Magic Flute,’ ” Danzmayr said. “I’ve conducted ‘Magic Flute’ quite a bit and listened to it an incredible number of times.”
For the final program on Sunday, Carl Maria von Weber’s “Clarinet Concerto No. 1” will place front and center principal clarinetist Ilya Shterenberg, a relatively new member of the orchestra.
“It took us five years to fill the spot,” Danzmayr said. “(I was) adamant in that either the right person comes and gets the job, or nobody gets the job. I’m relieved and happy that we found the right person.”
Works by Franz Schubert and Johann Strauss II will also be performed for the finale.
No matter who is guiding the ensemble this summer, Mclin promises tip-top music-making.
“This orchestra is so good,” Mclin said. “I hardly feel like I need to do anything. It’s like a well-oiled machine. It will go by itself.”