This past weekend the Reno Chamber Orchestra played their last concert for the season with award winning guest conductor Robert Franz and the talented Steven Vanhauwaert on piano. The stage was also adorned with 16 violinists, 4 violists, 4 celloists, 3 basses, 3 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 3 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, a harpist, a timpanist, and a percussionist. The stage was even busier for the second half when the choir joined the instruments for the finale.
The Reno Chamber Orchestra’s mission statement is: to create intimate, inspirational musical experiences by engaging the community through vibrant music-making by the Chamber Orchestra and chamber ensembles. This is what was delivered in their final concert of the season.
The entire audience was entranced by the beauty happening on stage. Jaws were dropped as the music seemed to dance between each instrument and out toward the entire performance hall.
Franz was an electric conductor who guided the music in a way that seemed effortless. He truly brought the performance alive. This past season, the Reno Chamber Orchestra invited 6 guest conductors to their stage to gather the audience’s reaction on who was the best. Franz was the perfect guest to end the season, and the high energy mood of the music resonated with all well after the performance.
Music from Beethoven, Ravel, Franck, and Brahms were all featured in the concert. The finale song, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy in C minor, utilized both the piano and the choir. All gathered onto the stage and played off of one another. Vanhauwaert was so delicate with his instrument and truly had all in awe. Taking center stage, Vanhauwaert started the finale off, eventually passing the song back to the orchestra.
At one point, all were playing together in harmony as the choir stepped in. Their booming voices complimented the instruments, and it was a spectacular ending to the night. The audience rose in a well-deserved extended standing ovation.
If you were unable to catch the Reno Chamber Orchestra this season, make sure to attend a show in their upcoming season later this year.
2019-20 Season
- October 19 & 20
- Conducted by Donato Cabrera
- Accompanied by Helen Kim on violin
- November 23 & 24
- Conducted by Martin Majkut
- Accompanied by Bella Hristova on violin
- January 25 & 26
- Conducted by Nicholas Carthy
- Accompanied by Hope Briggs as soprano
- March 14 & 15
- Conducted by Kelly Kuo
- Accompanied by Bion Tsang on cello
- April 4 & 5
- Conducted by Conner Gray Covington
- Accompanied by Jon Kimura Parker on piano
Visit www.renochamberorchestra.org for information on ticketing. Subscribe by May 15th to be the first in line for seat selection.
