In a way, it feels like eons have passed since October 2012 when the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra launched its Concertmaster Series of solo and small ensemble music events under then-Concertmaster Gabriel Lefkowitz. During those five seasons, much has changed: the…
Knoxville’s Most Memorable Classical Music Performances of 2017
My “Most Memorable of the Year” list of classical music performances began in the pages of the former Metro Pulse, later finding a place in the Knoxville Mercury. Now, it has a home in Arts Knoxville. Here, then, is the list for 2017.
Review: Joshua Gersen Leads KSO in Beethoven, Strauss, and Tchaikovsky
The Beethoven Violin Concerto returned to the Tennessee Theatre this weekend for the first time since 2011, again with a guest conductor, Joshua Gersen, and this time with a remarkable young violinist, Paul Huang.
New Faces in the KSO — 2017 Edition
There was a time when American symphony orchestras had the reputation for stubbornly resisting change, entities that embraced neither innovation nor diversity in their ranks. However, the last 25 or 30 years have brought miraculous changes to the makeup of…
William Shaub Takes the Reins of the KSO’s Concertmaster Series
Most regular concertgoers have, at least, a vague idea of the role of an orchestra’s concertmaster. He or she symbolically represents the orchestra as a whole, occupies the first chair position of the first violins, calls for tuning at the…
KSO Appoints William Shaub As Its Next Concertmaster
The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra has announced the appointment of William Shaub as its next concertmaster, replacing Gabriel Lefkowitz who has taken the concertmaster position with the Louisville Orchestra following six years with the KSO. Shaub was one of two finalists…
There’s Still More To Come As 2016-17 Arts and Music Season Winds Down
If you are like me, the on-rushing signs of summer seem to bring a bit of sadness that the organized arts season is coming to an end. While I used to temper those feelings with remarks about just how much the…
KSO This Week – William Shaub’s Audition and Gabriel Lefkowitz’s Finale
This week’s Masterworks concerts by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra mark yet another transition for the organization. Just as the KSO’s Aram Demirjian begins the last three programs of his first season as music director and principal conductor, the KSO’s concertmaster Gabriel Lefkowitz ends his six year stint with the orchestra having taken up the comparable post with the Louisville Orchestra.