The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is making a new and very big push into the digital world, perhaps pushed by the needs imposed on it by the pandemic, though this is so elaborate that for all I know it's been long-planned.
At the core of it is is CSOtv, which starts on October 1 and will include free recitals and also premium content where concerts begin at $15 and also offer a subscription service. You can see the trailer for it here. But there's more to the full endeavor, including InterMISSION, which is a new podcast series that -- based on the first episode -- is not not only well-done and interesting, but is more elaborate with some impressive bonuses. The podcast seeries is hosted by CSO trumpet John Hagstrom, As the site notes, "InterMISSION features interviews with CSO musicians, staff and special guests about all things CSO. Each episode is an intimate look at the effort, talent and sometimes sacrifice it takes to create uplifting concert experiences week after week. Hear the stories behind the magic of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra." The first episode is titled, "The Conductors." As they describe it, several Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians share behind-the-scenes stories and insight. They explain about working collaboratively with conductors, including "the excellence Music Director Riccardo Muti brings to the Orchestra; memories of how former Music Director Sir Georg Solti challenged musicians to raise standards; and how CSO players work to build energy and excellence into each concert." The 26-minute episode began slowly for my taste, a bit too fatuous and self-congratulatory -- but eventually the storytelling and insights kicked in, and it got very enjoyable. And there's a particular fun section where one of the musicians does a spot-on impersonation of Hungarian-born Sir Georg Sollti addressing the orchestra when he'd return from his time away. It's not only pretty funny vocally, but what he says is quite interesting. The commentary about music directors and members is all pretty positive, though the information is still valuable. But just when I thought it would all be only positive stories, and nothing about the things that are challenges, they did get into that, albeit leaving names out. What turns this from just being a straightforward podcast, though, into something more elaborate is the music that's used. Musical excerpts include CSO recordings of Mahler, Brahms, Mozart, R. Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Liszt, Bruckner, Ravel, Smetana and Stravinsky. But while those are only snippets heard throughout the podcast, they go further. At the bottom of the episode page is a playlist of all the music heard, no matter how briefly. There were 17 pieces. The playlist includes a "play" button for each, though you can only hear 30-second passages. However, if you click on the included Spotify link, it takes you to the Spotify webpage where each selection can be played in full. (Not necessarily the full piece, unless it's short, but generally the full movement of a symphony, for instance.) And if you're not already signed up for Spotify, the basic member is free. So, this is really a wonderful way to expand the already enjoyable episode. Here's the first episode: "The Conductors."
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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