Betsy's View

A Look Back at Utah Symphony’s 2009-10 Season and a Look Ahead to 2010-11

This season I was fortunate to be able to attend Utah Symphony performances in Salt Lake City and one of my favorites was Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony. I saw a number of guest conductors and artists present wonderful performances by Mozart, Dvořák, Rachmaninoff and Smetana, and I was particularly moved by Mahler’s 2nd Symphony in the Salt Lake Tabernacle led by Keith Lockhart. The 2009-10 season was remarkable, and the 2010-11 season promises even more!

Boston Pops 125 Salutes American Heroes Part 2: Armed Forces, Arthur Fiedler, Arlo Guthrie, Brian Stokes Mitchell

How does the Pops celebrate its 125th Season? Class, Tradition and Honor. I haven’t been to any better Pops performances. What a way to celebrate the Pops’ 125th Anniversary! The season isn’t finished yet, and the big finale of the summer is always the Pops on the Esplanade for the 4th of July. Fantastic performances!

Boston Pops 125 Salutes American Heroes and Honors Kennedy Brothers Part 1: De Niro, Freeman and Harris

If you didn’t get a chance to attend the Boston Pops this past week, you missed one heck of a concert! I seem to have a lot of musical firsts, and this Pops concert program was by far my favorite ever. Keith Lockhart and the Pops put together a program that included Hollywood’s and Boston’s elite, 9/11 Rescue workers and local artists, and the programs were so phenomenal that I had to attend twice!

2009 Boston Holiday Pops Spreads Good Cheer!

I love the Boston Pops and I always look forward to seeing Maestro Keith Lockhart at the podium. The Pops Holiday concert was filled with songs for everyone, including a creative and smile inducing 12 Days of Christmas! The Boston Pops has a way of spreading good cheer, whether they are performing 35 concerts for the holidays or performing in front of a half a million revelers during the Independence Day celebrations. The Boston Pops is all about making people feel alive and happy, and when you celebrate with the Pops, there is never a shortage of smiles.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra Opening Night 2009-10 Isn’t Just For Old Rich Folks

The Boston Symphony Orchestra opened its129th season by paying tribute to the majesty of music.

World renown Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin marked his only Boston appearance with the BSO this season by performing at the BSO’s Opening Night Gala Concert on September 23rd. Having previously heard Kissin perform Brahms with the BSO, I knew the evening would be spectacular!