Pittsburghers! Circle This Date!

Paavo with composer Charles Coleman (September 14, 2001)

Pittsburgh's PBS affiliate KQED will be re-airing Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra: Paavo Jarvi Inaugural Concert next Sunday, April 10, 2005 at 2:00 pm.

Sandye's Note: It's hard to believe this concert is already almost four years old. Taped in Cincinnati's historic Music Hall, this program was to be a joyous celebration of the beginning of Paavo's new tenure as CSO Music Director. Instead, occurring at the end of the week of the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks, it became a testament to the healing power of music in a time of sorrow. Norwegian cellist Truls Mørk was to have been the weekend's special guest artist, but was unable to fly to the U.S. from Norway in the aftermath of the tragedy. Debussy's La mer which Paavo had guest conducted with the CSO previously (and which is featured on the CSO's most recent CD) was substituted in Mørk's place. Paavo's parents, Neeme and Liilia, who had been planning to attend their son's debut as Music Director, likewise, were stranded at their home in Florida. And as a special tribute to those whose lives were lost in the attacks, Samuel Barber's beautiful and very moving Adagio for Strings was added as the first piece on the program, immediately following the traditional singing of the National Anthem, celebrating the opening of the CSO's new season. Paavo conducted the Barber very movingly, without a baton. Watching his elegant hands as they directed the orchestra, I was reminded of a skillful jockey gently hand-riding a thoroughbred, confident in its powers. Later, when I asked him about conducting the piece without a baton, he confessed that he had picked it up, but quickly realized his hands were shaking from nervousness, and put it back down. The performance itself was self-assured and lovely. A new era for the Cincinnati Symphony had begun.

"Duration: 1:26:46 CC Stereo TVG

"Praised throughout the world as a gifted, innovative conductor and extraordinary musician, Paavo Jarvi deftly leads the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in his inaugural concert as music director. Maestro Jarvi wanted to deliver a balance of the new and old. He chose Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 and showcases a world premiere, Streetscape by Charles Coleman, a vibrant musical montage of life in New York City combining classical themes with jazz salsa and Copland-like mix of percussion.

"Channels and Airdates
"KQED Life
"Sun, Apr 10, 2005 -- 2:00 pm"

Read reviews of the original inaugural concert in Jarvi overcomes circumstances for brilliant debut by Janelle Gelfand, Cincinnati Enquirer (9/15/01) and Järvi's debut deserved better circumstances by Mary Ellyn Hutton, Cincinnati Post (9/15/01).