This week, we're talking with David Commanday, conductor of the Heartland Festival Orchestra. Their 10th season begins next weekend, with a concert that features Brahms' First Symphony, and violinist Rachel Barton returns to perform Barhms' Violin Concerto.
Commanday talks about the history of each piece. He says the Violin Concerto pushed the limits of the instrument (and the soloists who play the piece). The First Symphony includes deliberate homages and callbacks to the symphonies of Beethoven
Commanday says that this season features featurn engagements with other guest artists from the HFO's previous seasons -- Guitarist Jason Vieaux and pianist Michael Brown are scheduled for later concert. And the orchestra's April concert will include "photochoreography," photographs that reflect the region, timed to reflect the music beinf played.
The Heartland Festival Orchestra presents its next concert "Brahms and Barton Pine" on Saturday, Septemeber 15th at 7:30 p.m. at Five Points Washington.