‘Tis the Season

Published November 22, 2024

‘Tis the Season

This is a busy time of year for musicians, and that’s certainly true at our house. Although my wife, Andrea Lenz, retired several years ago from her positions as professor of music at the University of Nevada as well as principal oboe of all of Reno’s major orchestras, the 2011 recipient of the Nevada Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts is still very active as an organist at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, and as an alto in in the women’s chorus Bella Voce. As for me, I just celebrated 30 years since my first concert with the Reno Phil (November 15, 1994) and I’ve played with the Reno Chamber Orchestra almost as long.

So, with all due respect to the many wonderful area organizations making music in the next five weeks, and since I don’t pretend to know all the upcoming performances in our community, for this installment of Art Views, I thought I’d give thumbnail previews of what’s on the Lenz-Faulkner music calendar for the rest of 2024. Here we go.

Reno Phil: Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto
November 23 at 7:30pm / November 24 at 4:00pm
www.renophil.com

This is the second installment of the Phil’s Classix series at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. Opening with the virtuosic Overture to La Forza del Destino by Verdi (pronounced VARE-dee for those of you from the west Reno berg of VER-dye), Laura Jackson will then lead the Phil in William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony. Premiered 90 years ago this month by Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra, this important and seldom-played piece by a master 20^th century composer is a gem reminiscent of Dvorak’s New World Symphony (which also draws on African American folk themes). Dawson is one of a handful of Black symphonists of his era to have their work performed and critically acclaimed during his time. This piece is deserving of regular performances, and Reno audiences are fortunate to have the opportunity to hear it live. After intermission, pianist Sara Davis Buechner joins the orchestra for Rachmaninoff’s 2^nd Piano Concerto. Gorgeous melodies, technical fireworks, and powerful orchestration make this one of the best-known and most-loved works in the classical canon.

Reno Phil: Spirit of the Season
December 6 at 7:00pm / December 7 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm / December 8 at 2:00pm
www.renophil.com

After the Thanksgiving recess, the Phil returns for its annual Spirit of the Season performances at the Pioneer Center. These concerts are led by Dr. Jason Altieri, who is the associate conductor of the Phil; he conducts the Reno Phil Youth Orchestra, leads the orchestras at UNR, and is music director of the Atlanta Pops. In a world of evaporating traditions, and fraying relations with our fellow citizens, it’s safe to say that “we need a little Christmas” and this holiday kickoff is just the ticket. Featuring the Reno Phil Chorus directed by Jennifer Tibben, vocal soloists, Tintabulations bell choir, Fascinating Rhythm tap dancers, and a closing sing-along, this extravaganza puts everyone in the holiday spirit.

Bella Voce: Music in the Heart
December 13 at 7:00 pm, St. John's Presbyterian Church, Reno
December 14 at 4:00 pm, Shepherd of the Sierra Lutheran Church, Carson City
December 15 at 2:00 pm, Trinity Cathedral, Reno
www.bellavocereno.org

Founded several decades ago by Dr. Michael Cleveland as the Sierra Nevada Women’s Ensemble, the group is now known as Bella Voce. Also led by Jennifer Tibben, this ensemble is comprised of women ages 18 to 80. The name Bella Voce translates to “beautiful voices,” and that is exactly what audience members will hear in their Music in the Heart concerts in Reno and Carson City. These performances are free to the public.

A.V.A. Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker
December 20 at 8:00pm
December 21 at 2:00pm and 8:00pm
December 22 at Noon and 5:00pm
www.avaballet.com

Presented by A.V.A. Ballet Theatre, the Reno Phil, conducted by Laura Jackson, provides the orchestra for this holiday tradition at the Pioneer Center. I suspect my friend and fellow Art Views contributor, Steve Trounday, will have much more to say about this production, so I will leave that to him. As a musician, I can speak to the privilege of playing this classic Tchaikovsky score every year, and the joy of bringing this music to audiences, especially young ones! There is nothing like experiencing ballet with a live orchestra, and we are fortunate to have this partnership between the Phil and A.V.A. Ballet Theatre.

Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Christmas Eve Services
December 24 at 4:30pm and 7:00pm: 357 Clay Street Reno, NV 89501
www.goodshepherdreno.org

For those looking for a musically rich, traditional church service to celebrate Christmas, the offerings at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd fit the bill. Pr. Scott Trevithick and music leaders Jennifer Tibben (yes, that Jennifer Tibben! She’s also choral director at Damonte Ranch High School, a cornerstone of vocal music in our community, and a really busy person!) and Andrea Lenz (yes, that Andrea Lenz!) are joined by the Great Basin Brass (principal players of the Reno Phil and Reno Chamber Orchestra) to celebrate Christmas.

Reno Chamber Orchestra: Nevada Chamber Music Festival
December 28 – 31: Hall Recital Hall, University of Nevada, Reno campus
www.renochamberorchestra.org

Since its inception in 2004, the Nevada Chamber Music Festival has been an impressive showcase of musicians from our area and around the world. This year’s offering is no exception. Artistic Director Clive Greensmith, the former cellist of the Tokyo String Quartet as well as the former principal cellist of London’s Royal Philharmonic, is currently professor of cello and chamber music at L.A.’s prestigious Colburn School and he has assembled a tremendous roster of musicians for these six concerts. Local favorites like violinist Ruth Lenz, pianist James Winn, violist Dustin Budish, and Reno’s first couple of chamber music Hyeyeon Park and Dmitri Atapine, will be joined by the award-winning Quartet Integra, Juilliard String Quartet violist and Reno native Molly Carr, and the recently appointed 2^nd clarinetist of the San Francisco Symphony, Yuhsin Galaxy Su. Finally, despite his distinguished career, proud father Clive Greensmith happily admits that he is the second most famous member of his family. His daughter Hanako Greensmith, who plays Violet Mikami on NBC’s Chicago Fire will show off her musical theater background when she joins pianist Steven Vanhauwaert and yours truly to perform some classic songs of the 1920s.

December 28 at 7:30pm: Opening Night with Clive Greensmith and Quartet Integra
December 29 at 2:00pm: Piano Salon featuring Festival pianists
December 29 at 7:30pm: 1920s Songbook featuring Hanako Greensmith of NBC’s Chicago Fire
December 30 at 2:00pm: Cello Celebration showcasing the festival’s low string talent
December 30 at 7:30pm: Brahms and Beyond featuring clarinetist Yuhsin Galaxy Su and Quartet Integra
December 31 at 2:00pm: String in the New Year closes 2024 and features Juilliard String Quartet violist and Reno native, Molly Carr

The six concerts over the last four days of the year will give our weary world something to rejoice about. More information about all Nevada Chamber Music Festival concerts can be found at www.renochamberorchestra.org

Scott Faulkner is principal bassist of the Reno Phil and the Reno Chamber Orchestra (RCO). From 2001-2014 he was Executive Director of the RCO and co-founded the Nevada Chamber Music Festival. For the League of American Orchestras, he serves as director of its Alumni Network and faculty director of its Essentials of Orchestra Management program, which takes place each summer at the Juilliard School in New York.