Charlotte County Florida Weekly

Charlotte Symphony concert rings in the holiday spirit




Students of the Christina Koinis Ballet rehearsing with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. COURTESY PHOTOS

Students of the Christina Koinis Ballet rehearsing with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. COURTESY PHOTOS

Ballerinas, seasonal carols, sleigh bells — and even a soloist playing an actual typewriter — will be featured in the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s holiday pops concert, titled “Sounds of the Season.”

“It’s hard to even find a typewriter today,” said Maestro Raffaele Ponti, conductor of the CSO. “That was a real challenge. You can’t play Leroy Anderson’s ‘The Typewriter’ on your laptop.”

Anderson wrote many light popular classics like “Bugler’s Holiday” and “Syncopated Clock,” as well and his most famous work, “Sleigh Ride.” In 1950, Anderson took what was then the commonplace sound of the typewriter and transformed it into a mini-concerto for typewriter and symphonic orchestra. The soloist uses keystrokes, the typewriter bell, and carriage return in rhythmic counterpoint with the orchestra. Readers may remember Jerry Lewis in the 1963 film “Who’s Minding the Store?” comically playing his invisible typewriter to Anderson’s engaging score.

Ballet director Christina Koinis-Cook choreographs Tchaikovsky for CSO’s holiday pops concert.

Ballet director Christina Koinis-Cook choreographs Tchaikovsky for CSO’s holiday pops concert.

Over the years there have been several notable soloists who’ve performed thie piece with the Boston Pops, including Seiji Ozawa, donning a green visor and stogie, and lead singer for the rock group Aerosmith, Steven Tyler, in 1999. Not to be outclassed by world famous conductors or rock legends, the CSO’s soloist Dean Anderson has played this iconic work under Boston Pops Maestros Arthur Fielder, John Williams and Keith Lockhart.

 

 

Mr. Anderson is the current principal percussionist with the CSO after retiring to Florida in 2010 from his position as chair of the percussion at Berkley College of Music. During his 36-year tenure, Mr. Anderson led the world’s largest percussion education program and played with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburg Symphony, Boston Ballet and other notable ensembles.

Maestro Ponti feels fortunate to have him playing with the orchestra and as a featured soloist.

 

 

“Dean has the experience and flair to bring off this challenging and comedic crowd pleaser,” he said.

Audiences will also be pleased by the addition of dancers from the Christina Koinis Ballet studio to perform excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.” This is the second time founder Christina Koinis-Cook has choreographed for Maestro Ponti.

“She totally takes this music, visualizes it and puts it into dance beautifully,” said Maestro Ponti. “She is such a talented person and wonderful collaborator.”

Ms. Koinis-Cook will be choreographing three dances from Tchaikovsky’s enchanting ballet for her advanced students. It is a great opportunity for dancers to perform with live music and adds greatly to their educational experience. The studio began in the summer of 2015 and has seen much growth in only a few years. Ms. Koinis-Cook now teaches all ages, including a thriving adult program that meets several days a week.

Ms. Koinis-Cook embraces a philosophy that commitment and dedication from the students should be rewarded with proper training. She believes training in this rich art form requires private coaching in a professional environment.

“This winter I opened a new scholarship fund for dancers,” she said. “We believe in growing art and culture in our city. I hope that, by reaching out to the community, we will be able to give the opportunity of training and performing with Christina Koinis Ballet academy to families that are unable to do so.”

The musicians and Maestro Ponti know the combination of dance and music is a winning recipe.

“It is sound in motion,” Maestro Ponti said. “It is the perfect marriage, bringing motion and the body into play so that our audiences not only hear the music, but also see the music. It’s a beautiful concept.”

In addition to cameo performances by the dancers, audience can expect many familiar songs, like Mel Tormé’s “The Christmas Song,” “O Holy Night,” “Let it Snow” and “White Christmas.” A medley titled “Christmas at the Movies” will feature music from the films “Home Alone,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “The Polar Express,” “Miracle on 34th Street” and others.

“Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” will open the show with a driving and festive arrangement of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Carol of the Bells” made popular by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It is a unique fusion of rock and classical styles. This dynamic setting tells the story of a Sarajevo-born cellist who returns to his homeland to find it in ruins after the Bosnian War.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra lyricist Paul O’Neill describes the meaning behind it:

“I think what most broke this man’s heart was that the destruction was not done by some outside invader or natural disaster — it was done by his own people. At that time, Serbs were shelling Sarajevo every night. Rather than head for the bomb shelters like his family and neighbors, this man went to the town square, climbed onto a pile of rubble that had once been the fountain, took out his cello, and played Mozart and Beethoven as the city was bombed. The orchestra represents one side, the rock band the other, and the single cello represents that single individual, that spark of hope.”

Another classical crossover ensemble, Mannheim Steamroller, has become almost synonymous with the Christmas season. Their New Age sound and atmospheric arrangements have led to a worldwide following and 10 holiday CDs. “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas,” released in 1984, sold more than 6 million copies. “Stille Nacht” closed this popular disc, and will be performed by the CSO. A solo violin and piano capture the magic and mystery of the holiday season, which is sure to put everyone in the holiday spirit.

In addition to performances in the Charlotte Performing Arts Center, the orchestra will also be giving a free concert for patients, families and hospital staff at the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers on Saturday, Dec. 2.

“These kinds of things are really the most important work we do in the community all year long,” said Maestro Ponti of this outreach.

Another way the CSO is giving back is by offering a special price for its matinee performance in Punta Gorda. In light of Hurricane Irma, the orchestra would like to ensure every family has a memorable holiday experience this season. They are offering reduced matinee ticket prices of $30, as well as admitting children free when accompanied by a paid adult. Patrons will enjoy a complimentary dessert reception before the concert, complete with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the ballerinas from “The Nutcracker.” ¦

— Joseph Caulkins is a conductor, mountaineer, writer and all-around Renaissance man. He has led choral and orchestral ensembles for more than 30 years and is currently the Artistic Director of Sarasota’s Key Chorale and Una Voce: The Florida Men’s Chorale in Tampa.

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