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The Cleveland Orchestra delights audiences with the heartwarming ‘Muppet Christmas Carol’ (Dec. 18)

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by Stephanie Manning

This article was originally published on Cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — With a whole week to go, December 18 wasn’t quite “One More Sleep ‘til Christmas.” But for those at Severance Music Center on Wednesday, it was close enough.

That heartfelt ballad about Christmas Eve sung by Kermit the Frog is just one of many gems from The Muppet Christmas Carol — the surprisingly faithful movie retelling of Charles Dickens’ tale that features Michael Caine, the cast of the Muppets, and a healthy dose of holiday cheer. Add to that list The Cleveland Orchestra, who played Miles Goodman’s score live under the direction of Sarah Hicks.

The beloved Disney holiday classic, released in 1992, drew a sold-out crowd. The Orchestra’s performance of Paul Williams’ songs — which many in the audience likely knew by heart — blended almost indistinguishably with the film. [Read more…]

Cleveland Orchestra’s holiday concerts return with plenty of festive cheer (Dec. 11)

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by Stephanie Manning

This article was originally published on Cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — If the twinkling lights, leafy green garlands and festive poinsettias didn’t already clue you in, the holidays have arrived at Severance Music Center. ‘Tis the season for annual traditions — including The Cleveland Orchestra’s holiday concerts, which began on Wednesday evening.

Running through December 22, the programs feature plenty of seasonal classics plus some potential new favorites. The first performance proved that this mix is a delightful recipe for festive cheer.

“Look at you all, out on a school night!” conductor Sarah Hicks proclaimed joyfully from the podium. Just as many concertgoers donned red outfits to get into the spirit, Mandel Concert Hall was also decked out with decorations and stage lighting effects.

[Read more…]

Vocalist Jimmie Herrod joins The Cleveland Orchestra to celebrate the Holiday Season

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by Mike Telin

“This is a really positive moment for me career-wise,” vocalist Jimmie Herrod said during a recent telephone conversation. “Not just performing with any orchestra, but one of the Big Five. It’s beyond prestige and I’m really looking forward to it.”

On Wednesday, December 11 at 7:30 pm, Herrod will join conductor Sarah Hicks, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, and the Blossom Festival Chorus for the first of twelve holiday concerts at Severance Music Center. Performances run through December 22. Tickets are available online.

Herrod said that although a handful of songs he will sing are ones that everyone knows, there are a few that are lesser-known. “We’re doing a version of ‘Jingle Bells’ that was famously done by Barbara Streisand. It’s all over the place tempo-wise and it keeps changing keys. We’re also doing ‘My Grown-Up Christmas List.’”

[Read more…]

Cleveland Orchestra at the Movies: Final tune builds alongside title character in ‘Indiana Jones’ performance

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by Peter Feher: Cleveland Classical

This article was originally published on Cleveland.com

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — You’ll definitely want to stick around for the credits at Blossom Music Center this weekend. The Cleveland Orchestra sounds marvelous playing John Williams’ entire score for Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, but the famous title tune — the “Raiders March,” teased in snippets throughout the movie — doesn’t appear in full until the very end.

It’s one of many theatrical moments that land effectively (and differently than you might remember) in the Orchestra’s presentation of the film live in concert. Only after Indiana Jones finishes his first cinematic crusade does the theme for all his subsequent adventures take true, triumphant shape.

Fortunately, the musicians don’t have to wait until the finale to share in the glory. Williams’ compositions are integral to the universe of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, and for the 1981 Raiders (directed by Spielberg, based on a concept by Lucas), the score serves as one of the chief storytellers.

[Read more…]

The Cleveland Orchestra plays Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Aug. 30)

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by Timothy Robson

There were all manner and ages of intergalactic creatures at the Blossom Music Festival for Friday evening’s Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back live music performance by The Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by Sarah Hicks, who entered the stage brandishing a red light saber. I left my own saber at home and didn’t wear my Star Wars jammies, but lots of folks in attendance visibly showed their appreciation for this movie classic through fan attire. [Read more…]

Cleveland Orchestra does Star Wars: Sarah Hicks on conducting in-concert films

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by Jarrett Hoffman

Film music leaves an impression on many of us at an early age, and Sarah Hicks was no exception. The principal conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra’s “Live at Orchestra Hall” series, Hicks is also known as an in-demand guest conductor, particularly in the genre of in-concert film.

“I saw the original Star Wars movies in theaters as a very young child,” Hicks said during a telephone interview. That wasn’t the spark to her interest in music — she was already playing the piano by age five — but it was still an experience she called transformative. “I remember those movies, I remember that music. It was a huge part of my childhood.”

Hicks will revisit The Empire Strikes Back, the second film from the original Star Wars trilogy, during screenings with The Cleveland Orchestra on August 30, 31, and September 1 at 7:30 pm at Blossom. (Fireworks to follow each performance, weather permitting.) That score by John Williams introduced the world to “The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme)” — it’s hard to imagine Star Wars without it — and to “Yoda’s Theme.”

[Read more…]

TCO at Blossom: The Little Mermaid (Aug. 4)

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by David Kulma

It was another enjoyable movie night at Blossom Music Center with The Cleveland Orchestra on Saturday, August 4. On offer was The Little Mermaid (1989) — a film which had kicked off the rebirth of Disney animated musicals through the ‘90s. Conducted by Sarah Hicks to sync with five gigantic screens and a packed lawn full of families, The Cleveland Orchestra brought Alan Menken’s magical music to life.

[Read more…]

Got summer plans, Cleveland Orchestra? Blossom + Summers@Severance + a few extra notables

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by Jarrett Hoffman

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Clevelanders haven’t heard their orchestra live since mid-May. In the interim, The Cleveland Orchestra has been on the road, finishing off their centennial-capping Prometheus Project with performances at Vienna’s Musikverein and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall. Oh, how we miss them.

We’ll get reacquainted with TCO soon, thanks to their schedule at this year’s 50th anniversary season of Blossom Music Festival, plus their fourth Summers@Severance series.

The Cleveland Orchestra marks the unofficial beginning of summer when they open their Blossom season on Saturday, July 7 at 8:00 pm. At the helm will be music director Franz Welser-Möst, leading the Orchestra in Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition in its orchestration by Ravel, Reznicek’s Overture to Donna Diana, and Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, featuring TCO’s own soloists –– pianist Joela Jones, violinist Stephen Rose, and cellist Mark Kosower. At this concert and two others, check out the Image Magnification system, which displays live video of the performers on LED screens in the Blossom Pavilion. Fingers crossed for the weather — a firework show is planned for afterwards.

[Read more…]

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