All-Star Orchestra
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"… the sheer richness, warmth and body of the orchestral sound are something special … the musicians bring vast, and palpable, experience to bear. The playing is consistently strong, with wondrous solo moments … sumptuous splendor and technical assurance…" -Anthony Tomassini, New York Times
“I felt quite privileged to participate in this project. It was a wonderful experience to work with such talented and extraordinary musicians who brought a very high level of concentration, focus, and attention to detail and in the end I believe produced a series of performances of very high quality.” -Judith Ginsberg, Second Violin, New York Philharmonic
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The All-Star Orchestra—a new eight-episode WNET/American Public Television series featuring renowned conductor Gerard Schwarz and his hand-picked team of the finest orchestral “athletes” from leading orchestras across the country -- premieres on New York’s WNET THIRTEEN on September 8. In a bow to Schwarz’s extraordinary 26-year tenure leading the Seattle Symphony, Seattle’s KCTS previews the series over eight weeks beginning July 19. Taking a page from Major League Baseball’s All-Star team ‘playbook,’ , Schwarz brings together the finest players in the country on programs showcasing exceptional performances of symphonic masterpieces and contemporary works.
Under the leadership of Mr. Schwarz, The All-Star Orchestra programs also include musical excerpts, images, interviews and educational commentary by Mr. Schwarz, the All-Star musicians, and special guests. Mr. Schwarz’s All-Star Orchestra is comprised of top players from the country’s leading orchestras including Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Florida, Houston, Minnesota, Nashville, New Jersey, New York (the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra), Oregon, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Seattle, Utah, Washington D.C., and more. The All-Star Orchestra seeks to expose broad audiences to classical music through a format that is both informative and accessible. Naxos of America will release this unique series on DVD in November.
Each of these eight one-hour episodes was filmed over four days in the Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan center in New York City during August 2012. Designed to appeal to the classical music neophyte and connoisseur alike, the programs were filmed with 19 high-definition cameras that were allowed unlimited access to each performance, roaming freely among the musicians to provide the audience with an unprecedented concert viewing experience. The Grand Ballroom, chosen for its acoustic integrity, has been the venue of choice for conductors such as Bernstein, Boulez, Mehta, and Toscanini for their own classical music recordings.
Eight episodes of The All-Star Orchestra will air throughout the United States in the fall:
Under the leadership of Mr. Schwarz, The All-Star Orchestra programs also include musical excerpts, images, interviews and educational commentary by Mr. Schwarz, the All-Star musicians, and special guests. Mr. Schwarz’s All-Star Orchestra is comprised of top players from the country’s leading orchestras including Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Florida, Houston, Minnesota, Nashville, New Jersey, New York (the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra), Oregon, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Seattle, Utah, Washington D.C., and more. The All-Star Orchestra seeks to expose broad audiences to classical music through a format that is both informative and accessible. Naxos of America will release this unique series on DVD in November.
Each of these eight one-hour episodes was filmed over four days in the Grand Ballroom at the Manhattan center in New York City during August 2012. Designed to appeal to the classical music neophyte and connoisseur alike, the programs were filmed with 19 high-definition cameras that were allowed unlimited access to each performance, roaming freely among the musicians to provide the audience with an unprecedented concert viewing experience. The Grand Ballroom, chosen for its acoustic integrity, has been the venue of choice for conductors such as Bernstein, Boulez, Mehta, and Toscanini for their own classical music recordings.
Eight episodes of The All-Star Orchestra will air throughout the United States in the fall:
- Music for the Theatre: Igor Stravinsky’s Suite from the Firebird, Maurice Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2, and Bright Sheng’s Prelude to Black Swan.
- The New World and Its Music: Antonin Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” and Ellen Taaffe Zwilich’s Avanti!
- What Makes a Masterpiece?: Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Philip Glass’ Harmonium Mountain
- Politics and Art: Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5
- Relationships in Music: Johannes Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture and Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish”
- The Living Art Form: Richard Danielpour’s “A Hero’s Journey” (from Piano Concerto #4), Soloist: Xiayin Wang; Samuel Jones’ Concerto for Violoncello, Soloist: Julian Schwarz; and Joseph Schwantner’s The Poet’s Hour – Soliloquy for Violin, Soloist: Yevgeny Kutik
- Music’s Emotional Impact: Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 and David Stock’s Blast!
- Mahler: Love Sorrow and Transcendence: Gustav Mahler’s Rueckert Lieder (Songs from Latter Days), Soloist: Nancy Maultsby, and “Totenfeier” (“Funerary Rites” – 1st Mvt. from Symphony No. 2); Augusta Read Thomas’ Of Paradise and Light; and Bernard Rands’ Adieu
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In the Media |
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In PrintNew York Times
Pickup Orchestra of Stars, Made for TV NEW YORK, August 31, 2012 — The All-Star Orchestra. It sounds like a barnstorming swing band filtered through the tinny radio speakers of 1930s America. Instead it is the name bestowed on a pickup ensemble of musicians — including prominent principal players — from some of the nation’s major classical music orchestras. They met for four days this week to record war horses and contemporary pieces as part of a projected new educational series intended for broadcast on WNET. learn more... |
OnlineSan Francisco Classical Voice
Musical All-Stars Turn On TV October 3, 2013 — It’s become the mantra-lament of the era that the audience for classical music is dying out, and the next generations are not assuming roles as cultural protectors. Leaders of America’s most expensive cultural assets — orchestras and opera houses — are particularly worried. And so you find insistent efforts to bring classical music to the young, and in a way that’s both compelling and educational. learn more... |
On videoKCTS 9
Gerard Interviewed by Stephen Hegg July 27, 2013 — Watch as Stephen Hegg Interviews Seattle Symphony conductor emeritus Gerard Schwarz about the new PBS Series. PIE features stories about people using bold, unconventional and creative methods to succeed. A boy band’s overnight success through social media; Gerard Schwarz “dream team” symphony. watch now... |
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Educational Special Features |
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Music Director, Gerard Schwarz analyzes George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue
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Schwarz gives a Conducting Lesson on Beethoven's 5th Symphony, 1st movement
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Maestro Schwarz analyzes Beethoven's 5th Symphony
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