Jeff Spurgeon: It was 110 years ago. We know that it is, and that's what we're doing. I think we rose to the occasion. All Rights Reserved. There's a significant difference between conducting full-time orchestras and in this orchestra of special musicians from all over the country who do not play together regularly, once every year, once every couple of years. We are going to hear the world premiere of I Can. Anthony: There's a significant difference between conducting full-time orchestras and in this orchestra of special musicians from all over the country who do not play together regularly, once every year, once every couple of years. What does it mean to have you and your colleagues in this place at this time? Since its inception in 1993, the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra has cultivated diversity in the classical music scene. The Gateways Music Festival is getting ready for its Carnegie Hall debut. In addition to this, the festival includes 27 performances this week, chamber music, lectures, a screening of a film, panel discussions. There was this outpouring of interest from all over the country. Applause is for Anthony Parnther now taking center stage here at Carnegie Hall, and beginning this concert by the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra with this work by Brahms, his variations on, Music of Johannes Brahms begins this concert by the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra in their Carnegie Hall debut. Press Room. Conductor Anthony Parnther is also out on the stage now with the rest of the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra. We principally had one and a half days to piece this work together. It's complex because each section has so many different contrasting qualities. CARNEGIE HALL PRESENTS National Youth Orchestra of the United States of . Anthony: There was an assembly of musicians and people here within the organization that very carefully crafted this program along with Michael Morgan. They're leaving the stage for a few minutes, but we have managed to grab one of them by the coattail as he walks by. Tweet Save . [applause]. You'll find lots of stuff on the wqxr.org website that Kelly was involved with during her time with the APL. You'll find lots of stuff on the wqxr.org website that Kelly was involved with during her time with the APL. We don't actually have a complete score for the second. When Gateways musicians walk out on stage, a new line of inquiry a new conversation is opened with the audience before we even play a note because the backdrop of classical music is that this is a white art form. She climbed Mount Kilimanjaro five years ago. In 2015, Anthony was profiled by Los Angeles' KCET/TV as a "Local Hero" for his extensive community outreach and advocacy for the performance of works by Black, Latinx, and Women artists. One of which is to support musicians of African descent who are isolated even in the ensembles in which they play as happens in other kinds of workplaces in the world, but also looking out at, as you said, the audience members who haven't found that Carnegie Hall is for them as well. Because of limited seating capacity in the Bruno Walter Auditorium, we urge you to get your tickets as soon as possible. It's this kind of dual mission. Celebrating classical musicians of African descent. Special guest Denyce Graves, mezzo-soprano The mission of Gateways Music Festival is to connect and support professional classical musicians of African descent and enlighten and inspire communities through the power of performance. Lauren Purcell Joiner, Christine Herskovits, Eileen Delahunty, and Max Fine. Jeff: Oh, it was a wonderful variety of sounds as you say, and a really wonderful performance. Proof of vaccination is required to enter Carnegie Hall and masks must be worn inside at all times. John: We should also mention Kelly Hall Tompkins, if that's a familiar name to our WQXR listeners, there's a good reason for that. Jeff: From Carnegie Hall Live, the Symphony No. Founded in 1993, the orchestra brings together classical musicians of African descent from professional orchestras around the nation to share in music making and performance and to promote its philosophy that classical music belongs to all people, and that people of African descent have played an important role in classical music for centuries.. Adults: $20 | Seniors and Students: $15 | Children/Youth (Under 18): Free, ABYSSINIAN BAPTIST CHURCH132 W 138th StreetNew York, NY. John: As Jon Batiste's piece just showed. Jones and Johns are current musicians in the Gateways Music Festival orchestra and its members recorded themselves at home for WQXR to put together for a virtual from-home performance. Now, Batiste on his feet, really not moving away from the piano, receiving the applause from this audience and passing it on to all the members of the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra, and a deep bow from everyone on the stage. Does that resonate with you? It's a real challenge for us to in very limited rehearsal time with a lot of events going on simultaneously put together especially a program of this difficulty and variety together and lightning fast. It seems like there was a real intention behind the planning of this program today. Tags: diversity, Eastman School of Music, Gateways Music Festival, performing arts, The Gateways Music Festival Orchestra made its Carnegie Hall debut on Sunday afternoon, April 24, with conductor Anthony Parnther (far right) and Grammy Award-winning pianist Jon Batiste (in gold). Carnegie Hall Live is a co-production of WQXR and Carnegie Hall. At least that's the case with her first, third, and fourth symphony. Since then, musicians have been eagerly performing this real treasure trove of music. I think that's really a significant thing that's happening right now in real-time. Jeff: -for Soul, the Pixar film, and has also just won five Grammys, including Record of the Year at the most recent Grammy Awards just a few weeks ago. John: We are about to hear this performance of the The Variations on a Theme by Haydn, music by Johannes Brahms based on a theme that probably wasn't actually written by Haydn. Of course, that's not true. WQXR is a proud media partner of the Gateways Music Festival 1,198 views Apr 19, 2022 On April 24, 2022, at 3pm WQXR is proud to present a live broadcast of the Gateways Music Festival. You have to make it true. Featuring Johannes Brahmss Variations on a Theme by Haydn in B-flat Major, Op. This April, the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra, comprised entirely of classical musicians of African descent, presents events around NYC, culminating with its eagerly anticipated Carnegie Hall debut on April 24. The conclusion of seven days of performances in New York City. In 2009, some people were renovating an abandoned house outside of Chicago, lo and behold, they discovered all of these manuscripts and it turned out that it was not all, but most of Florence Price's compositions. John: It turns out that Gateways isn't just an organization that serves musicians. SAHAM. The Gateways Music Festival Orchestra are set to perform at Carnegie Hall on April 24th, 2022, making them the first all-Black orchestra to do so in the renowned venue's 130-year history. You can hear that the audience, again, willing to go there and applaud each of the musicians as they stand. 3. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2022 | 7:30 PM The 120-member Gateways Music Festival Orchestra, whose distinguished players hail from the nation's foremost orchestras and conservatory faculties, is renowned for its bold sound, exciting interpretations and uncompromising pursuit of artistic excellence. It's a new work by Jon Batiste, the Grammy-winning pianist and band leader you may know from The Late Night with Stephen Colbert. Copyright 2022 New York Public Radio. That annual festival, which features classical musicians of African descent, will include a performance this coming. Anthony Parnther | Photo by Konstantin Golovchinsky. This place for musicians is key and essential and critical to the mission because most of our players work in environments where there are very, very, very few people, if any, who look like them. She's a person that no one really says no to. Sure. Right now, the stage door opens and back out to center stage here at Carnegie Hall, strides the conductor Anthony Parnther to lead this first performance at Carnegie Hall of George Walker's Sinfonia No. What else is Gateways beyond this? The panel discussion is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. 3. I'm from the South, and I'm from the Baptist Church tradition, and. Can you distinguish for us the difference between the festival proper and the festival orchestra? Media Only: Dolores Orman, Gateways Music Festival, 585-271-5185, dolores.orman@gmail.com The concert also included works by the German composer Johannes Brahms (18331897); George Walker 56E (DMA) (19222018), the first composer of African descent to win a Pulitzer Prize (Lilacs for Voice and Orchestra, 1996); Florence Price (18871953), the first African American female composer to have her work performed by a major orchestra (1933 Chicago Symphony performance of Symphony No. This concert is part of his perspective series. 3; Florence B. Prices Symphony No. Of course, personally, I would love to see this orchestra come together more frequently. I think the possibility of spontaneity is what makes this particular live performance so deeply engaging and organic for everybody involved including the audience. The chairs can be adjusted and the Brahms piano can be pushed out. Hear both works performed by outstanding members of the acclaimed Gateways Music Festival Orchestra, conducted by longtime Marsalis collaborator Damien Sneed. The orchestra comes together and you just dig into the music. They're leaving the stage for a few minutes, but we have managed to grab one of them by the coattail as he walks by. Apr 21 2022. General Admission. Not since the start, but since 2001. He is a resident member of the Jacksonville-based Ritz Chamber Players, The Harlem Chamber Players, Gateways Music Festival Orchestra, and innovative chamber music theater group the Core Ensemble. It is his heart. John: In fact, the third movement is called Juba, which is a type of body percussion and dance that was widely found in musical traditions of enslaved Afro-Caribbean people. . Of course, that's not true. The concert features Jon Batiste, who just won five Grammys at this year's ceremony, including the highly-coveted title, "Album of the Year". She was part of the inaugural class of the Artist Propulsion Lab at WQXR. This is the intermission of this concert, the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra. A great big deep bow and a warm welcome to this Carnegie Hall audience. Free, but tickets are required.. Alcohol served. Congratulations. Lee: It's this kind of dual mission. Although certainly, his most famous piece is the, , I urge you to check out George Walker's. To many Black musicians, the Gateways Music Festival represents a welcome haven from the isolation many face in their working lives. Michael Morgan, conductor. We're talking of the depression years in America, a work in four movements meant to evoke music from African American tradition. I think we're really making some ground today in terms of that piece of it, in terms of, is this a space that celebrates and uplifts Black people, Black culture, not just Black performers. Here are your tickets. He has premiered and recorded works by Anthony Davis, George Walker, Errollyn Wallen, John Wineglass, Gary Powell Nash, Marian Harrison, Renee Baker, James Wilson, Phillip Herbert, Daniel Kidane, Chanda Dancy, and James Newton. That was cemented well before I became involved. Anthony: -on stage, certainly, but certainly I think this was the best possible opportunity to have my first outing with this great orchestra on this great occasion. That was my first Gateways. What was the idea there? John: Jon Batiste is pointing to Maestro Parnther and to the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra. He also told us they want to be a resource for the larger community. This is Carnegie Hall Live, I'm Jeff Spurgeon joined by my colleague, John Schaefer. Of course, the orchestra, a whole bunch of people on stage, makes a great sound, gets a lot of attention, makes a big statement. Enjoy the rest of your brief intermission. Gateways Music Festival Orchestra. It was 110 years ago. Take care. GATEWAYS MUSIC FESTIVAL, INC. 26 Gibbs Street, Box 58 Rochester, NY 14604. info@gatewaysmusicfestival.org (585) 274-1170. I think also really significant for us is this is the first time that the orchestra or the festival has toured, has branched out of being in one place. In May of 1912 at Carnegie Hall, where the stage welcomed a large ensemble of African American musicians, the Clef Club Symphony Orchestra. is a work for piano and orchestra called. I mean, it certainly felt like a religious experience on stage with him without a doubt. Gateways Music Festival is thrilled to announce that renowned Hollywood and symphony orchestra conductor Anthony Parnther will lead the Gateways Orchestra for its concerts in Rochester, NY and New York City, including the Orchestras Carnegie Hall debut! Follow me. GUEST ARTISTS: MARIAN ANDERSON STRING QUARTET92ND STREET Y | 7:30 PM, GATEWAYS BRASS COLLECTIVETHE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART | 5:30 PM, GATEWAYS PIANO QUARTETTHE MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM | 7:30 PM, GUEST ARTISTS: HARLEM CHAMBER PLAYERS STRING QUARTETSCHOMBURG CENTER FOR RESEARCHIN BLACK CULTURE | 7:30 PM. The orchestra comes together and you just dig into the music. Description. Now on stage, Conductor Anthony Parnther, ready to lead the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra and the Symphony No.3 of American composer, Florence Price. Michael Morgan, our late and beloved music director called Gateways family reunion with instruments and it feels just like that. Carnegie Hall Live is a co-production of WQXR and Carnegie Hall. The mission of Gateways Music Festival is to connect and support professional classical musicians of African descent and enlighten and inspire communities through the power of performance. To come to a place where there are folks who've had a shared life experience, it's extraordinary for them. I wonder if in working with them now if any vision has occurred to you? We know that it is, and that's what we're doing. John Schaefer's here as well. What's the potential of this orchestra? It's a work for piano and orchestra. A A. ulang. They were led by James Reese Europe, and they were one of the finest Black music ensembles to perform in Carnegie Hall and one of the first at that time. This is a guy, Jeff, who is having a moment. The Gateways Music Festival Orchestra, making their debut today, taking their place alongside the Clef Club Orchestra and a lot of other great African American musicians in the illustrious history of Carnegie Hall. Jeff: A great big deep bow and a warm welcome to this Carnegie Hall audience. John: It is interesting that you went to Mozart and Beethoven. If you're a fan of Barber's Adagio for strings, I urge you to check out George Walker's Lyric for strings. John: Can you distinguish for us the difference between the festival proper and the festival orchestra? Favorites More Music Features It can also serve as a beard or it can veil other, I think, less inclusive narratives. The Festival was initially scheduled for this November, with a Rochester kick-off, but was rescheduled to next Spring due to the coronavirus pandemic. It's a big event for the members of the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra coming down to Carnegie Hall from their home in Rochester, in upstate New York. Three-movement work played by the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra in their Carnegie Hall debut from Carnegie Hall Live. Jon: First, I would love to thank everyone who made it possible for us to be here, the ancestors who are watching over us. 3 James V. Cockerham: Fantasia on Lift Every Voice and Sing. George Walker was the first Black composer to win a Pulitzer prize in music that was in 1996 for his piece, . The film screening and lecture are both free and open to the public, but tickets are required. The African cloth comes out and no two people look exactly the same. What's making the occasion even bigger is that they will be presenting a world premiere, a piece so new, the ink has barely dried on it. They'll open the second half of the program with a big work by prolific American composer, Florence Price. New York Public Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline, often by contractors. It's our greatest cultural export as a nation. Search University of South Carolina University of South Carolina Navigation. 3 in C Minor and Sinfonia No. I wrote this poem in the summer of 2020. We have made 400 complimentary tickets available, and you can reserve yours at the link below with promo code RACF50. It's a beautiful moment. Pleasure to talk to you. Gateways Music Festival Overview 530 views 10 months ago The Gateways Music Festival 2022 will take place from April 18-24, culminating in the Gateways Orchestra's Carnegie Hall debut,. There are some elements of truth to that, but what's happening in a concert hall is not just a celebration of Brahms and Walker and Batiste and Price, but it's also a celebration of the audience. John: Well, Jon Batiste had a little church meeting going when he was reading his poem before the premiere of "I can.". She's a person that no one really says no to. THE COOPER UNIONFrederick P. Rose Auditorium41 Cooper Square (3rd Avenue at East 7th Street) New York, NY 10003. Now, all the orchestra on its feet and with Maestro Parnther bow to this Carnegie audience this afternoon. Exhausting, but exciting. Jeff: Conductor Anthony Parnther goes on stage, to conduct the final work on this program, the Fantasia on Lift Every Voice and Sing by James V. Cockerham in this initial performance of the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, a performance you'll hear from Carnegie Hall Live. Since its founding in 1993, Gateways chamber music groups have performed in locations throughout the host city on the Friday night of the Festival. Orchestra Hall is sacred to my community. This is Carnegie Hall Live, I'm Jeff Spurgeon joined by my colleague, John Schaefer. 560 Trinity Ave, St Louis MO 63130. Development of the Orchestra, Music Appreciation, Bio-Musicology and Music Theory. I love the way this harkens back to the days of Mozart and Beethoven, who would also write works that contained a great deal of written music finished for the players but also places for them to improvise. All rights reserved. As long as we stick to that principle, I think that's the vision. He also told us they want to be a resource for the larger community. John: Another curtain call for Conductor Anthony Parnther. It's a new work by Jon Batiste, the Grammy-winning pianist and band leader you may know from, . The Gateways Music Festival Orchestra, making their debut today, taking their place alongside the Clef Club Orchestra and a lot of other great African American musicians in the illustrious history of Carnegie Hall. Gateways Music Festival in association with Eastman School of Music announced on Dec 7th that Anthony Parnther will lead the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra at its eagerly anticipated performances at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre (April 20) and the Orchestra's Carnegie Hall debut (April 24).Known for his "charismatic, captivating conducting" (Los Angeles Times), Parnther takes the . We should mention too that I Can, this new work also is credit offered in the program to orchestrator Matt Wong. 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