Your RPO This October: From Saint-Saëns to Soul to Psycho
Rochester, NY – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) continues to display its commitment to diverse programming this month, with five concerts that appeal to a wide range of music lovers.
On Thursday, October 7 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, October 9 at 8 pm in Kodak Hall, guest conductor Christoph König returns to Rochester to lead the orchestra in a program of Camille Saint- Saëns and Édouard Lalo (König Conducts Saint- Saëns). The French composer’s “Bacchanale” from his opera, Samson and Delilah, and the energetic and powerful Symphony No. 3, “Organ” bookend violinist Chee-Yun’s RPO debut of the charming and mischievous Symphonie espagnole by Édouard Lalo.
Next, Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik continues his 28th RPO season on Friday and Saturday, October 15 & 16 at 8 pm in Kodak Hall with Kings of Soul. Showcasing the music of legendary artists Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Otis Redding, The Temptations, Al Green, Barry White, Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield and more, Tyzik has created a program that reflects some of his own favorite pop music influences.
“This is a brand-new program for Rochester, one that I put a lot of heart into creating during the past 18 months,” says Tyzik. “Plus, we’ve got some incredible guest vocalists who – along with an energized RPO – will bring this great American music alive and fill Kodak Hall with soul.”
Performers Chester Gregory (Motown The Musical), Michael Lynche (American Idol), and Darren Lorenzo (After Midnight) bring a wealth of authentic soul to hits that include “Soul Man,” “Get Ready,” “Stand By Me,” Move On Up,” “Just My Imagination,” and “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher.”
Fresh off his sensational debut as Music Director, Andreas Delfs leads his second concert of the RPO 2021-22 season, Paremski + Rachmaninov, on Thursday, October 21 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, October 23 at 8 pm in Kodak Hall. World-renowned, Russian-American pianist Natasha Paremski returns as a guest soloist on Sergei Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, which she recorded in 2012 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Also on the program: Boris Blacher’s jazzy Orchestral Variations on a Theme by Paganini; excerpts from Aram Khachaturian’s ultra-romantic ballet, Spartacus; and Kurt Weill’s Suite from The Threepenny Opera. The latter showcases catchy tunes (including “Mack the Knife”) from the Roaring Twenties in Berlin and features an unusual “orchestra,” complete with saxophones, banjo, bandoneon, and trap set.
“I grew up in the theater world and love the ballet, so this program is a tribute to my own heritage,” explains Maestro Delfs. “Plus, I always wanted to put the two best-loved romantic melodies (the 18th variation of Rachmaninov and the “Love Theme” from Spartacus) in the same program!”
On Saturday, October 30 at 8 pm, the RPO presents Psycho Live With Orchestra. The classic Alfred Hitchcock film (Universal Pictures) features a score by Bernard Herrmann, which – according to Christopher Palmer’s 1990 book, The Composer in Hollywood – was “perhaps Hermann’s most spectacular Hitchcock achievement.” Hitchcock himself remarked that “33% of the effect of Psycho was due to the music.” Guest conductor Scott Terrell leads the orchestra while the 1960s thriller plays on the big screen in Kodak Hall.
Then, on Sunday, October 31 at 2 pm at Hochstein Performance Hall, guest conductor Kalena Bovell closes out the spooky season with a sold-out Halloween Tricks and Treats. Costumes are strongly encouraged for this family-friendly afternoon of spine-tingling musical fun.
All tickets are available online anytime at rpo.org, by phone at 585-454-2100 (Monday-Friday, 10 am –5 pm), and in person 90 minutes prior to curtain at the Eastman Theatre Box Office (433 East Main St.).
Please note: Patrons aged 12 and up are required to show proof of vaccination plus photo ID, and all patrons are required to wear masks during the entire performance. Socially distanced areas of Kodak Hall are designated for those with unvaccinated children or those who feel more comfortable with social distancing. The RPO continues to monitor CDC, state, and local guidelines, so protocols are subject to change.
PLUS: Live From Hochstein – Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra: 19th Century Opera Favorites on Wednesday, October 13 from 12:10-12:50 pm at Hochstein Performance Hall (50 N. Plymouth Ave.) Music Director Andreas Delfs conducts the RPO in a program featuring orchestral selections and audience favorites from some beloved operas, including Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmila, Wagner’s Götterdämmerung, Saint-Saëns’ Samson and Delilah, and Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. The Hochstein School’s free noontime Live from Hochstein concert series is hosted by WXXI Classical’s Mona Seghatoleslami and broadcast live on WXXI Classical. See safety protocols here.
Since the 2020-2021 Season, M & T Bank has sponsored the Philharmonic and Pops Series and continues its commitment as a Co-Sponsor for the 2021-22 Season. They are joined by Co-Sponsor Rochester Regional Health, now in its fourth year as a season sponsor. All concerts, artists, and schedules are subject to change.
ABOUT THE RPO: The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its origins in 1922. The RPO presents approximately 150 concerts and broadcasts a year, serving up to 170,000 people through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. Music Director Andreas Delfs joins the ranks of former notable RPO music directors, including Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman, Mark Elder, and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, now in his 28th season, has earned a national reputation for excellence in pops programming during his tenure with the RPO. The RPO reaches more than 15,000 youth through its specific education programs.
Media please note: High-resolution images for October concerts are available for use at https://tinyurl.com/yuj7ktfz. Interviews and photo/footage opportunities are also available.
