By tradition, St. Francis of Assisi staged the first live nativity scene in Italy in AD 1223. He wanted his parishioners to witness the humility, poverty, and simplicity that the Christ Child knew on earth–not just the solemnity of the masses at the parish church in nearby Greccio
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2018-2019 Season
What's your worst nightmare?
What scares you to death leaving you in tears at the very thought of it?
I've had to face one of my greatest fears this week in preparation for the TSO Halloween Concert.
I'm embarrassed to say that I've literally been reduced to tears facing this thing I swore I'd NEVER do.
Click here to find out what has me shakin' in my boots...
It’s concert week! Yay!
This is a special concert for several reasons. First of all, we’re performing Tchaikovsky’s 6th Symphony, the “Pathetique.” That’s enough of a headline for me.
Yet, there’s more to be excited about. We’re also playing music by 2 master German composers, Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms. The “Tragically Romantic” story of Schumann and Brahms is also enough of a headline for me personally, I’m fascinated by their story.
Yet, there’s still more to be excited about! We often have guest soloists, but we’ve never had 4 guests soloists who all play the same piece together with the orchestra. That’s pretty rare. Actually, it’s VERY rare.
One day in 1853, a young man presented himself at the Schumann’s home. He brought a letter of endorsement from the greatest violinist of the day, Joseph Joachim, who was a dear friend of the Schumann’s. The “young eagle from the North,” as Schumann called him, was none other than the 20-year-old Johannes Brahms.
When you were a kid, what was your favorite Christmas present? Maybe it was a new bike or a special doll? Perhaps a pair of roller skates or even your own pony?
I remember a few special presents, but one stands out more than any other. Not the Nintendo, not the Bazooka Nerf Gun, not even the new Michael Jackson "Dangerous" album (though that was pretty awesome).
You'll surely roll your eyes and think, "what a nerd," when I tell you what it was.