Welcome to the Richardson Symphony Blog Site

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!
We're pleased to announce that the RSO has reached the $140,000
annual goal for individual contributions.

Thank you all for your wonderful support during the $50,000 Wrap-Up campaign.
We know we've sent all of you many emails and letters over the past 60 days, and it has paid off!

Because of our terrific patrons, the RSO will end the year in a stronger position, ready for an
exciting 2008-2009 concert season!

Check this site on or slightly after July 7 for the RSO's new, updated web pages with
exciting information all about the 2008-2009 season.

A Musician's Perspective on Programming from Jennifer Garner, RSO violinist (12:30 p.m.):

Many regional and suburban orchestras, and even some larger orchestras, are pressured to "appeal to a broader audience." Unfortunately, in some cases, the word "appeal" often translates into programming selections that are, . . . well (how can I say this diplomatically), less intellectually challenging for the listener. From a musician's perspective, this is also very boring.

Years ago, I played in a regional orchestra that performed mostly "pops" concerts. Every program was always the same recycled stuff . . . Broadway musicals, Hollywood film scores, Jingle Bells, etc. Their idea of a substantial masterworks concert would be something like 1812 Overture and Tales from the Vienna Woods!

Don't get me wrong. I like all music. But, when you do this sort of thing for a living, the old "tried-and-true" repertoire can become truly tired!

I like playing with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra because we program more challenging music than other orchestras our size would ever dare. Our first concert of this past season, an homage to Richard Strauss, was the kind of program that ordinarily only a major symphony orchestra would sink its teeth into. The December holiday concert included Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, which I had never even played before. William Walton's Belshazzar's Feast, which we performed season before last, was another "first" for me that I learned in the RSO.

If attendance at RSO concerts is any indication, there are lots of people in North Texas who like our programming, too. I am glad we have an audience that is erudite and adventurous enough to indulge our penchant for the exotic!

The RSO is different than most, because for us, "broader appeal" means greater artistic diversity, as opposed to a narrower range of musical choices that are "safe."

See you next season!

Jennifer Garner

If you would like to post a response or comment regarding Jennifer's message, click HERE.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!
THE RICHARDSON SYMPHONY HAS ALMOST REACHED OUR GOAL!!!

WE ONLY NEED $1,200 TO MAKE THE INDIVIDUAL GIVING GOAL OF $140,000.
WHAT A FANTASTIC ACCOMPLISHMENT!!!
If every RSO Board member gave $21.43 today, we would hit our goal! Can we do it???

WHO WILL BE THE ONE TO PUT US OVER THE TOP???

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!! TODAY IS THE LAST DAY!!!
TOMORROW WE BEGIN A WHOLE NEW FISCAL YEAR!

You may make your donation by credit card, check or in the form of a gift of stock.
CALL TODAY (972-234-4195).

MANY THANKS FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL DONATIONS FROM $25 - $10,000+.

YOU ARE WONDERFUL!!!!

From Ken Presley, incoming Chairman of the Board of Directors of the RSO (10:15 a.m.):

“Change is inevitable”. That has always been one of my dad’s favorite sayings. While I don’t believe in changing things that don’t need “fixin”, change can often bring about new ideas, new talents and new directions to any group or organization.

I am about to take on the leadership role as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. I don’t take this honor lightly, because the RSO has been a tremendous asset for the Richardson and surrounding communities since 1961. The quality of the Orchestra continues to impress me and the 2007-2008 season was one of their best.

I would like to thank Greg Hollen for his leadership as Chairman last season. Greg’s positive attitude and “can do” spirit was instrumental related to last year’s success. His future role on the Fundraising/Endowment Steering Committee is very important to the future fiscal responsibility of our symphony and I know he and the other committee members will be successful at obtaining their goal. .

I am looking forward to my new role with the RSO and am ready for the challenges and excitement that next season will bring. I hope you will share with me your thoughts and ideas that will continue to make the RSO one of the premiere orchestra’s of North Texas.

Only Seven Days Remaining to Meet our 2007-2008 Donations Goal!
Help us meet our budget goals for the year.
Call TODAY to make your donation: 972-234-4195.
We have $13,500 to raise before July 1. We can do it. You can make it happen.

If just 100 people would donate a minimum of $140, we will reach our annual goal!
Please play your part and make a difference.

Do you have some stock that you thought was going to
be the greatest investment EVER, but hasn’t done doodle?
Donate it to the RSO!

It’s a charitable donation, just like cash.
It’s easy. Call Scot Wilkinson or George Landis at 972-234-4195 and we’ll
help get everything arranged.

It's Crunch Time at the RSO...Only Nine Days Left to Meet Our 2007-2008 Donations Goal

We are all proud to have a symphony orchestra in Richardson, Texas. A few dedicated citizens in 1959 realized the need for such an orchestra. However, a regional orchestra of excellence that stands for quality takes dedication, time and money.

We are short of our Annual Fund goal. Contributions to our Annual Fund support crucial and important activities throughout the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. We are blessed to have patrons of the arts that give freely of their hard-earned money. We just need a little more. The symphony relies on the support of volunteers and patrons to maintain its extensive array of musical, educational, and community programs.

To date we have raised over $125,000. Wow! Our goal for the 2007-2008 Individual Giving year is $140,000. We are short $14,000.

This $14,000 is an enormous amount of money for the Richardson Symphony. This amount of money will allow us to reach our goal and also pay some of our bills (electricity, supplies and monthly payroll expenses). We need your help! Just think, if 100 people would give $140 we reach our goal.

Please Play A Part and make a Difference! The Richardson Symphony has been acclaimed by patrons and critics regionally. The Richardson Symphony Orchestra has become one of North Texas most celebrated orchestras because of the diversity of the music we play, the conductor we have (Anshel Brusilow) and the musicians that play. Striving to make music accessible to each generation, the RSO continues to breathe new life into classical music, as well as continue its tradition of premiering classical works and featuring renowned artists. Can you help us maintain our level of excellence?
To fulfill our mission, we need more than just our musicians to play their part, we also need you. Please consider making a donation today and help us reach our goals!
Warm regards,

Scot S. Wilkinson
Director of Development
Richardson Symphony, Inc.
2100 North Collins Blvd, Suite 310
Richardson, Texas 75080
972-234-4195
swilkinson@richardsonsymphony.org

Some thoughts on the impact the RSO can have on a young musician, from 2006 Lennox International Young Artist Competition winner
Natalie Helm, cellist (4:00 p.m.):

"After winning the Lennox International Young Artist Competition, I was not only given the wonderful opportunity to perform with an outstanding orchestra and conductor, but was also treated like a true professional performer. This experience confirmed that performing was what I wanted to aim for as my career. It was honestly one of the most exciting experiences in my life! I felt like I was a celebrity the way that my family and I were treated during the three days I was in Richardson.

I was flown down to Texas since I am from Louisville, Kentucky and when I arrived at the airport, one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met, Thelma Ball, was waiting for me. She treated me to a nice lunch and then dropped me off at my hotel which the Symphony provided. The suite in the gorgeous hotel was beautiful and was located directly across from the Eisemann Center which is the hall where I was to perform the next night. After taking a short rest, I decided to warm up a bit for my dress rehearsal with the RSO that evening. Ms. Ball picked me up from the hotel and transported me to the rehearsal site. This was the first time I had ever played the Dvorak Cello Concerto with orchestra. For anyone that has ever heard this piece, you can understand when I say it was an out of this world experience! I sat in front of the orchestra as they played their long tutti before the solo enters and was blown away by the mass of sound that was being produced behind me! It was such an amazing feeling... and that was just the rehearsal!

Later that night, my family arrived and we all got a good night's rest for the next day's activities. The entire next day was spent practicing, rehearsing with the orchestra, or just relaxing and nibbling on the basket of goodies that the Symphony had provided for me in my hotel suite. Then it was time for the big performance. This was only the second time I had ever performed with orchestra out of my hometown so you can imagine how excited and nervous I was! I was even excited at the fact that they had my name printed on the dressing room door back stage! Everything was absolutely perfect that night. The performance was so exciting and having the privilege to play with The Richardson Symphony and Maestro Anshel Brusilow was indescribable. After the performance, they had a reception at a nearby location where the food and drinks were delicious. After this amazing experience, I decided that performing was what I wanted to aim for as my career since it is what I love doing most.

Since my performance, I have been at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia studying with Peter Wiley and David Soyer. I have been given so many amazing opportunities from the school and have learned so much over the past two years! Attending Curtis has been one of the best steps toward my goal of becoming a professional musician. It has not only made me a better musician but has also shown me that it will take self discipline, self motivation, and determination to reach my goals. Being a professional musician takes so much hard work but it all pays off in the end. The Lennox Competition, for me, represents the beginning of something I hope to be doing for the rest of my life. I would love to have the privilege of performing with such an enthusiastic symphony again! I can only hope that I perform with the Richardson Symphony again someday. I will always remember how magical the whole experience was!" Natalie Helm

For information about the Lennox International Young Artists Competition, and for a copy of the official rules and an application,
click HERE.

Help the RSO continue to inspire
young musicians from throughout our community and the nation.
Make your donation NOW.

We still need $17,000 to meet our individual donation goals
before the end of our fiscal year (June 30).

From Richard Luttrell, the newest member of the Richardson Arts Commission (11:05 a.m.) :

Now please understand. Scot is a good guy – even a great guy. A Leadership Richardson classmate. The type of person who makes working and living in Richardson a pleasure.

And that’s the problem. You see when I opened that email, Scot asked me to write a blog entry for the Richardson Symphony, and I couldn’t turn him down.

I’m a lurker, not a writer. I like to read opinions, reflect on them, take the best from them and throw the rest away. But never share my thoughts in a public forum. That’s not in my comfort zone.

And maybe that’s Scot’s point. Ever since that Leadership Richardson experience I’ve been looking for opportunities to get out of my comfort zone – to challenge myself in new ways.

The new challenge for me is serving on the Richardson Arts Commission. I guarantee I’m the least artistic person on the Commission. My (dubious) claim to artistic fame is playing tuba in the marching band in college.

I bring a love and an appreciation for Richardson. I love the diversity of our population, the openness of our people, the charm of my neighborhood and the potential of the city. And I also bring a deep appreciation and enjoyment of the arts. Music and visual arts inspire me, and those that can dance make me insanely jealous.

But it all comes down to a willingness to leave my comfort zone and try to help my community.

And that’s where you come in. We all need to be willing to give of our time, our talents and our money to help worthwhile endeavors like the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. Which is really a bargain when you consider their enormous contribution to life in Richardson.

We must raise an additional $17,000 before June 30 to meet the RSO's annual financial goals.
We must do it. You can help!

If you've not yet made a donation to the RSO, call.
If your donation this fiscal year is less than in the past, please consider an additional gift at this time.

The RSO has wrapped up another superlative season. Last month, the board voted on a new, eager set of new officers, and on Sunday the 25th, there was a special thank you celebration for major donors. These past few days have been busy, but it’s given me an opportunity to think about the people – those who aren’t musicians or staff – who make incredible investments of time and energy to the Richardson Symphony Orchestra.

As a volunteer myself, I’ve been at it for a long time (however, not as long as some folks). In 1993 I was approached by another 9th grade Apollo mom about having my daughter Krissie join the Debs. I thought it was a great idea, and before I knew it, not only were Krissie and her friends racking up volunteer hours at concerts, in old folks homes, and at Santa’s Village, but I myself became thoroughly involved in what was then “The Guild.” I was the “odd duck” at the time, a mom who ran her own business, but it was really a neat time because, by supporting the symphony, stay at home moms, those moms who worked and grandparent-aged women all came together to make things happen for the Symphony and for the Deb program. Eventually I chaired the ball twice before “graduating” to “the big board,” then the Executive Committee and now, the Individual Fund-Raising Committee.

The people I’ve met through these years have been a true inspiration; folks who are really committed to their community and to classical music. Now, granted, Richardson is the only place I’ve lived as a “grown-up person,” but my observation is that the Symphony volunteers (retirees, moms, corporate execs, and others of varying descriptions) are a rare breed here. For whatever reason, Richardson isn’t exactly a hotbed of volunteerism. The vast majority of residents just don’t bother to get involved in anything other than their kids’ schools, maybe their neighborhood association, or perhaps their church. So, the incredible commitment that I see in this group becomes all the more remarkable.

We have huge talent among retirees who now have the time to devote to volunteering on behalf the Symphony. They bring their accumulated expertise, wisdom and thoughtfulness to bear on the challenges of keeping classical music alive, vital and accessible for future generations.

What also really inspires me today are the corporate sector men and women who contribute fresh ideas and first-rate professional expertise … experts in banking and finance, law and manufacturing, marketing and strategy … wow! With travel schedules, meetings, clients, and workplace commitments, their time is very precious, yet here they are, choosing this orchestra as their way of contributing! Fantastic! More aptly stated, BRAVO!

We must raise an additional $17,000 before June 30 to meet the RSO's annual financial goals.
We can do it. You can help!

If you've not yet made a donation to the RSO, call.
If your donation this fiscal year is less than in the past, please consider an additional gift at this time.

Complete information and an application for the 2009 Lennox Interntional Young Artists Competition is available by clicking HERE.

Local company and supporter Alliance Data enthusiastically contributes to the Richardson Symphony Orchestra (“RSO”). The contributions help fund beautiful classical performances comparable to those of larger orchestras, as well as several concerts each season that bring non-classical orchestral music to the Richardson community (i.e., jazz, big band, contemporary artists, etc.). But the RSO, and corporate donations, don’t stop there -- the RSO is dedicated, with corporate sponsorship, to cultural enrichment and the education of Richardson’s youth through its Young Artists Competition Symphony Days program for RISD students and other important community events.

A corporate contribution to the RSO also comes with some “perks,” such as signage in the lobby for each concert, a listing in the concert programs, on-stage recognition, season tickets and complimentary parking at each concert. That return on investment (ROI) is hard to beat!

If your company hasn’t considered investing in the Richardson Symphony Orchestra, it is missing out on a great and easy opportunity to show its clients its commitment to communities where they conduct business and to generate a great ROI. Sponsorship is easy. And, by the way, it is also just plain fun as there is nothing stuffy about the Richardson Symphony Orchestra.

As of close of business, June 2nd, we've raised $20,276.
$29,724 to go to reach our $50,000 goal.

As of close of business, Tuesday, May 27, we've raised $19,755!
$30,255 left to go to raise the $50,000 needed by the end of the fiscal year.
We're doing great....call NOW (972-234-4195) and help keep up the momentum!

There are 34 days left before the end of the fiscal year.
Your donation will make a huge difference in the financial health of the RSO.
Call today (972-234-4195) or mail your donation to:
Richardson Symphony Orchestra
2100 North Collins Blvd., Suite 310
Richardson, TX 75080

Thoughts (and some quasi-painful memories) about Board membership from RSO fan Sandy Cook (1:15 pm):

I’ve never blogged before. I’m not sure blog is a verb. (My spellchecker doesn’t even recognize it as a noun.) But here I am, slated to tell you what it’s meant to me to serve as a member of the RSO Board of Directors.

My first thought is that we’ve sure come a long way. John and I joined the RSO board in the late 80’s. At that time, the board was VERY involved in the running of the symphony. The programming was a joint function between the board and the conductor. There was one paid employee. The board furnished refreshments for the players. Fundraising responsibilities were minimal. It was a small group of dedicated people. At one point, when I served on the executive committee, we were into micromanagement. Six hour meetings were not unusual (and also not the optimal way to run an organization.) The function of a board of directors, whether of a volunteer organization or a corporation, is to set policy, to hire people to implement that policy, and to audit their work. Thank goodness we’ve evolved.

Today, the board is a very different organization, one of the best around. It’s one of the major fundraising arms of the organization, both through personal effort and contributions and through providing corporate contacts for grants and sponsorships. The orchestra is also very different, a truly professional organization of excellent musicians. The office is staffed by three of the best people to be found in the area of arts and volunteer management.

The last time I wrote about the RSO and what it meant to me, John and I had just been voted off the board at the annual meeting during a proxy fight orchestrated by the conductor. Enough people were horrified by the action that all of us who had been deposed were eventually reinstated and the conductor “retired,” leading to the Anshel era, the best thing to happen to the symphony since its founding. Before that happened, however, we all had to appear before a panel of upstanding, concerned citizens and express our reasons for wanting to be involved with the symphony and why we thought we’d be good board members. I remember writing about why I loved music, why I loved Richardson, and crying while I read it. Not my best moment.

I’m grateful that I was able to continue. Being on the RSO has been a wonderful way to serve the city I lived in for over 30 years. Even though we have moved to what my mother calls the inner city, Richardson is still the home of my heart, and its institutions are dear to me. It has been a joy to work with people who have become close friends, developing a crucial component of the cultural life of our community.

Thank you for the RSO memories, Linda. Speaking of "cold Nutcrackers", I recall an RSO performance at the old Plaza of the Americas in which the Orchestra sat behind a curtain and played on a rickety wooden platform constructed mere inches above the end of the ice rink there. (Brrrrrrrrr!)

The morning after our final subscription concert with virtuoso pianist, Olga Kern, as guest artist, and I was still on a “high” with strains of Tschaikowsky and Rachmaninoff continuing to float around in my consciousness. What a spectacular evening with maestro Anshel Brusilow leading our wonderful orchestra in that glorious, romantic symphony and Olga Kern (a gorgeous blonde who belies the stereotype) proving to us why she was a gold medal Cliburn Competition winner not long ago. What a wonderful opportunity we have in Richardson, Texas to hear such extraordinary performances in a beautiful performing arts center!

This didn’t “just happen” – it is the result of years of support for the preservation of an excellent orchestra in our community and the dedication of many RSO board members and patrons who understood the importance of keeping local arts and cultural organizations alive during the good and lean times of the past forty or more years. When I look back at the major donors for the Eisemann Center, I see that a majority of them were Richardson Symphony Orchestra board members or long time supporting patrons. It is fitting that the Richardson Symphony Orchestra is the resident orchestra of this lovely hall.

The Richardson Symphony Orchestra is unique in its professionalism and in the programs it offers to the region. With the exception of the Dallas Symphony, no other orchestra can compare with its quality or its programming. But we have to work harder to keep this jewel in our midst! We don’t have the large base of corporations, as do the cities which surround us, which typically provide major funds for the arts. We count heavily on local businesses and patrons for this support. Please consider becoming a part of the RSO family of supporters – it is a great feeling attending a concert such as the one we just enjoyed knowing that you helped to make it happen!

From the RSO staff: George Landis, Scot Wilkinson, Elizabeth Michel (11:30 am)

We enthusiastically second Thelma Ball’s appeal to “become a part of the RSO family of supporters.” Your orchestra must raise $50,000 between now and June 30 (the end of the fiscal year) from individual donors like yourself. This is about the same amount of money we’ve had to raise at this point in the fiscal year in the past…SO WE KNOW WE CAN DO IT! Call us right now at 972-234-4195 to make you tax-deductible donation. Or, you may mail your check to: The Richardson Symphony, 2100 North Collins Blvd., Suite 310, Richardson, TX 75080

May 12, 2008 - From Scot Wilkinson, Richardson Symphony Director of Development:

RSO Patrons!

The time to support your Richardson Symphony Orchestra is TODAY! The Richardson Symphony Orchestra is in need of your financial support. Contributions are not at the level as they were last year. Your extra donation or renewal will contribute significantly to securing our day-to-day needs.

Your support is crucial! The Richardson Symphony needs to raise $50,000 by the end of our fiscal year on June 30, 2008. Gifts made to our Annual Fund support the Richardson Symphony Orchestra’s general operating expenses. This includes everything from our musicians’ salaries, fees for the finest guest artists and conductor, and office related expenses. We cannot pay our bills unless you donate. Less than 50% of our costs are covered by ticket sales, so your support is integral to our success!

Over the past two years, your orchestra has made unprecedented gains in the quality of our concerts. There is truly no finer orchestra in the northern DFW metroplex. These spectacular concerts are brought to you by fully professional paid musicians and fine guest artists, all in the comfort of the Eisemann Center. We must have your support to continue performing at this level.

The scope of what the Richardson Symphony can achieve is truly in the hands of those who donate.

As always, the Staff and Board of Directors of the Richardson Symphony are pleased to assist you in any way possible. Your gift is truly vital to our mission and financial well-being. Please contact us today!

Sincerely,

Scot S. Wilkinson
Director of Development
972-234-4195
swilkinson@richardsonsymphony.org

Support the RSO today! Call Scot at the phone number or email address above, or send your tax-deductible contribution to:
The Richardson Symphony
2100 North Collins Blvd., Suite 310
Richardson, TX 75080

RSO violinist Linda Proch shares her memories of playing in the orchestra over the past 25 + years:

In 1983 RSO teamed up with the Tuzer Ballet for the first time for the Nutcracker at Richardson High School. There were record cold temperatures in the single digits the night before. Power was off, and when we entered the building the temperature was only up to about 50 inside. Not only were the dancers freezing, but we could hardly move our fingers. It was cold enough to see your breath. When the fog machines started at the beginning of the 2nd act, all the fog moved to the front of the stage and fell directly into the pit! It was a memorable, but not very stellar evening, to say the least.

In the early years of the Wildflower Festival, RSO was scheduled to play on the big stage outdoors, usually as the grand finale of the weekend. As luck would have it, we were rained out a couple years in a row. Finally, we were moved to the Nortel parking garage to play for whatever hardy souls would stay to listen. The “1812 Overture” by Tchaikovsky was on the program, complete with cannon charges. To everyone’s horror (and damaged eardrums!) the cannons discharged as planned, but INSIDE the garage. This must’ve been in 1995 or 1996, just after the Oklahoma City bombing, as I remember my first thoughts were of terrorism.

Trivia: Did you know that Wallace Downs, Hugh Downs’(of ABC’s Twenty-Twenty fame) brother, was the first principal flutist with the Richardson Symphony? In fact, Hugh Downs composed a piece which the RSO premiered. We still have it in our library.

In the early 90’s RSO sponsored the largest Flag Day celebration in the country, held on what was MCI’s campus. One year there were about 30,000 in attendance. One of the opening acts was the Dixie Chicks (before they hit it big). This was the beginning of the Sounds of Freedom (now Sounds of Class) concert series. Subsequently, in about 1995, LeAnn Rimes opened the show with the Star-Spangled Banner. (She was 13, poised to hit it big with her hit “Blue”).

In the early 80’s at Richardson High School, the RSO’s guest artist was Nadia Solerno-Sonnenburg. She was about 20 years old at the time, and she played the Bruch g minor Violin Concerto. Also on the program was Brahms’ Symphony #4 in e minor. When Nadia learned we were playing that symphony, she asked if she could sit at the back of the section and play along, as it was a favorite of hers. She was warmly welcomed.

The following comments are by Maestro Brusilow (about the 5/3 performance and Olin Chism’s review in The Dallas Morning News):

Anshel Brusilow (03:30 pm May 7): The concert by the RSO held last Saturday at the Eisemann Center should be considered a treat not a treatment. It is an orchestra with great potential, but unfortunately it only plays six or seven concerts during the year and discrepancies occur that you would not find in an orchestra that is playing together almost all year long.

This orchestra performed better than anyone should expect, and nit picking the performance does the musicians and conductor an injustice. The entire evening was enthralling and musically intoxicating. It would be very difficult to find a better performance anywhere. If you want a perfect performance, listen to a CD. It will always be the same and perfect.

Olga Kern is an incredibly sensitive, musically astute pianist. She has complete control of her musical interpretation and is able to extend that to the audience. And the accompaniment was remarkable. As she herself said "Brusilow and I were as one". To me, this was a memorable evening,

AB

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From George Landis, RSO Executive Director (05:00 pm):

RSO concerts such as the one performed last Saturday evening featuring Olga Kern are the reason the symphony exists: to provide thrilling performances of beautiful, exciting and thought-provoking works to the highest artistic standards and featuring guest artists of the highest caliber. This isn’t a cheap thing to do! RSO concerts are expensive and we need your support NOW to meet our individual contribution goal for this year.

You might notice that the violin game piece on our goal board hasn’t moved yet. Call us now. Let’s get the campaign underway. We have $50,000 to raise between now and June 30th. We’ve done it in years past…we can do it this year if you act now and call the RSO at 972-234-4195.

Thelma Ball 09:57 am: I think Olin Chism's assessment of Olga Kern's performance was right on target, but his criticisms of the orchestra were not warranted. Unfortunately, critics are just what their name implies, and often they feel they must find something to criticize in a reviewing a concert or they have failed their calling. I'm wondering which section of the strings he found "not in tune"?..was it all the violins or the violas or the cellos or the basses...or all of them who had failed to tune their instruments to a perfect A440? Wow! What an incredible ear he has! And "unmellow"? No way! The audience was priviledged to hear a first rate performance of the Tschaikowsky symphony and they showed their obvious appreciation.

Thelma Ball

• Audio Samples from Richardson Symphony May 3rd Season Finale Concert:
1. Rachmaninoff/Piano Concerto #3: Third Movement (excerpt)/Olga Kern, pianist CLICK HERE
2. Tchaikovsky/Symphony #6: First Movement (excerpt) CLICK HERE

Al Adams 07:45 am: I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend three of the Richardson Symphony's concerts this season. I attended the opening concert of all Richard Strauss pieces, the Christmas concert and last Saturday's all-Russian concert with Olga Kern playing the piano. As a former Plano Symphony goer, I thought I should respond to Bob and Georgia Nelson's post of yesterday.

I fully intend to subscribe to the Richardson concerts next year. I had no idea that there was an orchestra that was anything close to the Richardson orchestra. The quality of the pieces they perform and the players in the orchestra are so far above what I have experienced at other "suburb" orchestras, I could not believe it.

I promise, no other orchestra in the Dallas area, other than the Dallas Symphony, would dare attempt the Strauss pieces played at the October concert. The Christmas concert was fantastic: arrangements of popular carols and Christmas songs that I'd never heard before and the Bernstein "Chichester Psalms" was an inspired choice for a Holiday concert. Such a beautiful and poetic work does more to reinforce the real spirit and meaning of Christmas than a ton of tired old songs. Bravo to conductor Brusilow for choosing this beautiful piece and for leading the orchestra and chorus in such a perfect performance. Last Saturday's performances of the Tchaikovsky sixth symphony and Olga Kern's performance of the Rachmaninov concerto were fantastic. I wonder if the audience knows how priveledged they were to hear these really hard pieces performed so beautifully?

I know it takes all kinds of folks to make the world go around and I hope Mr. and Mrs. Nelson enjoy Plano as much as I enjoy the jewel in richardson. Honestly, though, if you compare the two seasons next year, Plano is a light weight compared to Richardson's season of masterworks. I hope the RSO keeps doing the hard pieces and doing them well. I'll try to get everyone I know to come hear them.

Bob and Georgia Nelson 06:32 pm: When we renewed our subscription for this past season, we were full of expectation for a great season.
What a disappointment it was !!! The program content was rather boring or inappropriate --The conductor has such good background and his comments regarding the musical background of the program is interesting, but his off-color remarks are not. We always came to the programs with expectation--the orchestra played wonderfully--but many selections were dull--the Christmas program was a real disappointment--the North Texas Choir was wonderful, but the selection did little to leave the audience in the Holiday mood.

We will not be renewing our subscription. Looking over the programs, we only found one or two or interest--we will be investigating the Plano Symphony, which has a very interesting season planned. We are sorry that this decision has been made, as we have been long time supporters of RSO, but now being semi retired, our dollars are going to be spent on things we really enjoy--perhaps a year from now some of our concerns will be answered and we will again be RSO supporters,

Best regards,

Bob & Georgia Nelson

Cynthia Noah 06:06 pm: It was wonderful----among the best we have ever had. Great soloist added to the evening. "...decent if not inspired"?????? Cannot understand music critics.

B. Brown from Hurst 03:44 pm: Here's what I think: Olin Chism's reviews are vapid if not uninspired, and he has no business receiving monetary compensation for making shallow, uneducated observations on a subject in which he demonstrates pathetically little expertise. His assessment of the performance shows how little attention he was actually paying to the events of the evening, and further reinforces my theory that any chimp with a laptop can be a music critic.

Frank Leftwich 02:48 pm: First, Bravo, it is great to attract a critical review, and to have it published in the Dallas Morning News. As I was there Saturday night, I heared and observed two "performances" that Chislom did not comment on. First, the depth and fullness of sound from the strings in the closing movement of the Rachmaninov was exceptional and moving. Second, the interaction between Maestro Brusilow and Olga Kern was electric, like two great opera singers playing off of one another, especially in the closing movement. I am a long time patron of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and have never seen Mata, Litton or a guest conductor interact with a guest soloist so powerfully and so profoundly. This includes all three Rachmaninov Concertos that I attended that were played and recorded to great aclaim by the DSO and pianist Stephen Hough. Brusilow and Kern were just better, period. But then what do I know, I am just a patron! Thanks for your blog and an opportunity to respond. Frank Leftwich

Shirley Latham 02:42 pm: Saturday evening was brilliant! I have heard more and more people expressing their joy at being in the audience that evening.

RICHARDSON – Pianist Olga Kern, one of the surest crowd-pleasers in this area, performed her magic once again Saturday night. A large audience heard her play with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra and conductor Anshel Brusilow in the Eisemann Center.

The former Cliburn Competition gold medalist played a work long associated with that contest: Rachmaninoff's massive Third Piano Concerto. She gave another first-prize performance, easily conquering its bravura passages while creating a gripping musical drama. Equally as impressive as the power she produced was the clarity of her playing and its lyric beauty.

And three cheers to Ms. Kern for her avoidance of the histrionics that are so popular nowadays, particularly among young artists. She's never stiff, but there's no wild arm movements and soulful gazing at the ceiling. The drama comes from the music.

The first half of the program was given over to another Russian classic, Tchaikovsky's Pathetique Symphony. This is an unusual concert-opener, because the work closes with such an air of finality. It would have been jarring had the Rachmaninoff begun immediately thereafter. But the intervening intermission softened the jolt.

The Pathetique got off to a bumpy start, with the strings slightly out of tune and unmellow. There was also the matter of the noisy audience member. He or she did something that sounded like the ripping loose of a giant Velcro strap. It must have been huge.

The remainder of the performance was serviceable, though my mind kept going back to a performance of the Pathetique led by Mr. Brusilow at the University of North Texas recently. Though the student orchestra lacked the polish of a professional ensemble, the performance and gripping marches were deeply involving.

Saturday night's march didn't match up to it. Still, many in the audience were caught up in it. They burst into applause, and Mr. Brusilow had the orchestra stand in acknowledgement before continuing with the final movement.

• From George Landis, RSO Executive Director - Announcing the Richardson Symphony Audience Blog!

Over the past couple of years, we’ve been gratified by the number of our audience members who have taken the time to write us with their reactions to our performances. Audience comments have been incredibly helpful to the RSO staff and to maestro Brusilow in planning for the future of the orchestra and our concert seasons....
READ THE REMAINDER OF THIS POST BY CLICKING HERE