New Century Chamber Orchestra

The critics are beginning to weigh in on New Century’s East Coast performances, with two reviews published today about Wednesday’s concert at Mechanics Hall.  The Arts Fuse deemed it a “highly satisfying evening of music making that ranged back and forth over two centuries of repertoire.” The Worcester Telegram highlighted the “intense focus and precision” of the “energetic” ensemble. The Telegram also noted the surprises that came after the Mendelssohn, Rossini, Barber, and Bolcom’s Romanza were complete: ”As an encore for the standing, cheering audience Salerno-Sonnenberg turned again to Bolcolm who recently has absorbed Scott Joplin’s genius, and composed a piece Bolcolm labeled “Incinerator Rag.” That triggered another encore of a Brazilian love song, languid and touching, almost reassuring that in the long term a new classical music performance might outstraddle disappearance.”

To read the reviews in their entirety, please click here and here.

Thursday evening the musicians found themselves in far more modern hall at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, a contrast from the 19th Century concert hall in Worcester. After another electrifying performance, the group took today off to explore Boston and rest before the journey to Albany tomorrow.

The Orchestra tours the New England Conservatory in Boston

Last night, New Century made its first stop on the 2011 East Coast Tour: Mechanics Hall, internationally regarded as one of the world’s great concert halls for its superb acoustics.

The Orchestra warming up at Mechanics Hall on Wednesday

Tonight, the ensemble headed 50 miles west to perform at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. But not without having some fun on the tour bus first! Anna Kruger, Principal Violist, got a little creative with her ice packs:

Orchestra Player or Football Player?

Check in tomorrow for details about this evening’s performance in Amherst.

We’re all safely ensconced in our beautiful hotel here in Boston. No snow storms this time. And I didn’t lose my wallet on the plane either like the the last tour. So far, this tour is a complete success.

I didn’t travel with the peeps for this trip. I had to come back to NY early to do press for the tour so I met up with them in Boston.

Yesterday, some pictures were sent to me of the musicians arriving at the airport in San Fran. I was just reading the paper and having some coffee, thinking about what I had to that day, and these pictures came flooding in. Colleagues that I have come to love, looking excited and happy, having sushi for breakfast at the airport. I thought, my God, look at what we are accomplishing. Even more than on the first tour, I felt so very proud. Because it’s not a fluke– we are on our second tour, and the third tour next year is already looking phenomenal. We are really doing it, even in the hardest of times. An amazing example of forces working together toward a common goal.

We have a big night tonight– playing in one of the greatest halls in the country.

Can’t wait.

Nadja

Michelle Maruyama and Susan Babini

Iris Stone

Deborah Tien Price and Eleri Price, Tour Mascot

Kristin Zoernig

Anna Kruger, Candace Guirao, and Kristin Zoernig