Paavo Järvi and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, in collaboration with the magicians at Telarc, have created a thing of beauty in their latest CD release, an all-Debussy album.  Included here are some of the composer's best known works ("La Mer," "Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune," and "Nocturnes") as well as his little known "Berceuse Heroique," a 1915 elegy written in response to the fall of Belgium in World War I.
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Lars Vogt

Cincinnati's wintry weather was a fitting background for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's all-Nordic program Jan. 20 led by music director Paavo Järvi.  There was music by Sibelius and Finnish composer Aulis Sallinen, whose Symphony No. 8 ("Autumnal Fragments") received its U.S. premiere.  Guest artist was pianist Lars Vogt in the Grieg Piano Concerto.  The program will be repeated Jan. 24 at Carnegie Hall in New York.
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The inaugural recital of pianist Awadagin Pratt as artist-in-residence at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Dec. 1 was an auspicious occasion.  From Haydn to Rachmaninoff, topped off by a generous helping of Bach, it presented Pratt as a formidable artist who nevertheless spurns "playing to the gallery."  His new identification with Cincinnati was evident in his choice of attire with a black vest and red shirt (UC Bearcat colors).
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The brand new "Margaret Garner" by Richard Daniepour and Toni Morrison was a sensation at its Cincinnati premiere July 14 at Music Hall.  Not only is it the first commissioned work in Cincinnati's Opera's 85-year history, but the events in the opera transpired in Cincinnati.  About a real-life slave who escaped her master then killed her child when she was re-captured, the opera had some slow spots and the words and music didn't always connect, but the overall effect was profoundly moving.  Heading the excellent cast was mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves as Margaret Garner, with baritone Rod Gilfrey as the slavemaster Gaines, Gregg Baker as Robert Garner and soprano Angela Brown as Cilla.
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Paavo Jarvi and the Estonian National Orchestra score again with a stunning new release of Grieg's "Peer Gynt" on Virgin Classics.  Hear 20 of the 26 numbers the composer wrote for Ibsen's play about the rakish Peer, with baritone Peter Mattei, soprano Camilla Tilling, mezzo Charlotte Hellekant, the Ellerhein Girls' Choir and Estonian National Male Choir.
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Cincinnati's Vocal Arts Ensemble and the Cincinnati Boychoir celebrated a double anniversary Feb. 27 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Montgomery.  They did it with music inspired by Shakespeare, including a world premiere, "Wms. Ghosts," by University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music dean Douglas Lowry. (first published in The Cincinnati Post Feb. 28, 2005)
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The Greater Cincinnati Chinese Music Society celebrated its 10th anniversary with a star April 18 at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music:  pianist Yundi Li. (first published in The Cincinnati Post April 18, 2005)
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