With a new Web site, a world premiere, new collaborations and a new "In Your Community" series in the burbs, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra is hoping music lovers will discover great music for a small orchestra.
"I think we made great strides last year with audience, and my hope is to build on that and create buzz that I think this orchestra truly deserves in Cincinnati," says the Chamber Orchestra's music director Mischa Santora.
This season, the Chamber Orchestra will perform in the Over-the-Rhine hall, its longtime home, and in Corbett Auditorium at the University of Cincinnati.
New this year, the orchestra is introducing "In Your Community," one-hour, casual concerts in suburban venues. The first concert, Nov. 5 at the Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center in Covington, is a fast-paced journey through Mendelssohn and Bach.
The orchestra hopes to expand the series to regions such as Mason or West Chester Township.
"We're looking for places, venues and communities where there is interest in having the chamber orchestra and the kinds of programs that we do," says Santora, 34, "I think this is a great start."
After splitting last season between fall and spring "minifestivals," the orchestra is returning to a more traditional plan with a presence throughout the year.
Music by Mendelssohn will figure in today's concert in Memorial Hall, with violinist Soovin Kim performing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. A Nov. 5 concert will include Mendelssohn's "Hebrides" Overture and Symphony No.
1, paired with J.S. Bach's Cantata No.
51, with soprano Ellen Wieser.
The season continues in January and February, with music by Haydn, J.S.
Bach and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (a son of J.S. Bach).
A highlight will be J.S. Bach's Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor (Feb.
18) with concertmaster Anna Reider and violinist Cherie Benedict. Both are also members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
"It shows people that we don't necessarily have to import high-caliber soloists from New York or San Francisco - we've got them right here," Santora says.
In June, the orchestra moves to Corbett Auditorium for the world premiere of "When Soft Voices Die" by Philip Koplow, professor emeritus of composition and theory at Northern Kentucky University. The June 17 performance, in collaboration with the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati (Earl Rivers, director), will include Mozart's Mass in C Minor, K. 427.
The orchestra commissioned the piece as part of an ongoing commitment to supporting local composers. Next season, Santora plans to premiere new work by Cincinnati composer Robert Johnson.
The season concludes June 24 with a complete version of Mendelssohn's "Midsummer Night's Dream," with actors from the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company - a new partnership for the orchestra.
"One often hears Mendelssohn's 'Wedding March,' but there are so many pieces that are every bit as masterful," Santora says.
In March, Santora will conduct his personal favorite - his innovative "Musical Explorations" series in Memorial Hall, introducing lesser-known music from the 20th century. Two 80- to 90-minute concerts will include casual demonstrations of the music before it is played.
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