Classical Music News: More recordings ahead for the Nashville Symphony on Naxos

More recordings ahead for the Nashville Symphony on Naxos

March 8, 2017

With three 2016 Grammys in their pocket, Nashville Symphony Orchestra audiences at the Schermerhorn Center will be able to sit in on live recordings of early hopefuls for the best classical music recordings of 2017.

Nashville Symphony Orchestra
Photo: Mark Mosrie

On April 14 and 15, the Symphony conducted by music director Giancarlo Guerrero will play Brad Warnaar’s Horn Concerto featuring Nashville Symphony principal horn Leslie Norton, and Behzad Ranjbaran’s Flute Concerto featuring Nashville Symphony principal Erik Gratton.

Giancarlo Guerrero
Photo: Ma2la

On May 12 and 13 it Guerrero will conduct John Harbison’s Requiem, written in the aftermath of the World Trade Center bombing. Commissioned by the Boston Symphony for the centennial of its Symphony Hall, it has been rarely performed since then. The project became possible when the Nashville Symphony was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant of $25,000 to support the two performances and the live recording.

Prior to the performances, Harbison’s Requiem will be the centerpiece of a free choral music education initiative organized by the Nashville Symphony Chorus. The Chorus will collaborate with Metro Nashville Public School (MNPS) choral directors to include Harbison’s music in their repertoire and instruction for the semester. Nashville Symphony Chorus members will also participate in select MNPS choir rehearsals, giving young singers the opportunity to rehearse alongside experienced performers, and MNPS choral ensembles will be invited to attend the May 11, 2017, dress rehearsal.

Harbison will travel to Nashville the week of the performances to assist the Symphony and Chorus in the rehearsal process, and will join Guerrero for free pre-concert lectures.