Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 2/21/2023
SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) will feature four more concerts as a part of their 2022-2023 concert series, including “Mardi Gras!” on Feb. 25, “Fearless Women” on March 11, “Madness and Mystery” on April 15 and “Beauty Amid Chaos” on May 13. Each concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
SSO President and CEO Paul Lambert expressed his excitement for each performance. With “Mardi Gras!,” the talents of conductor, trumpet player and vocalist Byron Stripling will be featured with music from New Orleans natives, like Fats Domino, Mahalia Jackson and Louis Armstrong. Lambert considers Stripling “an unbelievable talent,” and he expects the show to bring a burst of vitality to the late winter season.
“I think its really going to be a pick-me-up in the dark of winter. It’s got a Mardi Gras, celebratory feel to it,” said Lambert in an interview with Reminder Publishing.
“Fearless Women” features the return of former SSO Music Director Mark Russell Smith as the conductor and the talents of pianist Wei Luo. The performance features a quartet of pieces that celebrate the history of women in music.
“It’s exciting to come listen to. Mark has chosen these pieces very carefully, and there will be a beautiful piano concerto,” said Lambert.
Lambert said the concert is one of the SSO’s many performances that features the organization’s emphasis on celebrating diversity in music.
“There are all kind of folks that are not heard as often as they should be, so let’s grow the pool and let’s listen to all kinds of music and see what’s out there,” said Lambert.
“Madness in Mystery” will spotlight the talents of local conductor Ng Tian Hui, who also works as the music director for the Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra. Lambert said its “exciting” to feature a local talent on stage.
“He’s a young, dynamic conductor coming in. I hope folks will come check out what he’s put together. I know he will bring a different energy to the stage,” said Lambert.
Pianist Jiayan Sun will also perform a program of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s beloved second piano concerto as a part of the “Madness in Mystery” concert.
The SSO’s 2022-2023 concert season concludes with “Beauty Amid Chaos.” Conductor Theodore Kuchar and Cello player Matt Haimovitz will perform a concert that’s deeply tied to social developments within European history.
Lambert expressed enthusiasm for the presence of Kuchar – a Ukrainian conductor who previously spearheaded music for the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine.
“We’re so honored to have Kuchar coming to conduct here to wrap up this season,” said Lambert.
Lambert considers the 2022-2023 concert season “an exciting time” for the orchestra. He remains optimistic about the “vibrant performances” the SSO continues to put together.
“To see the eight guest conductors, all who bring their own personality, talent and energy to the stage, it’s really an exciting time,” said Lambert.
Lambert also believes music remains an essential connective force as the nation heals in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I think we need it right now … I believe in the healing power of music, and I think it’s a great time for us to heal a little bit,” said Lambert.
The SSO continues to undergo new developments. On Feb. 8, the organization officially named Lambert as its full-time leader after previously serving as an interim director. Before working for the SSO, Lambert served as director of event production for the National Basketball Association and spent two decades working at the Basketball Hall of Fame.
SSO Board of Directors Chair Tony Falcetti expressed his support for Lambert in a press release.
“Paul [Lambert] has demonstrated commitment and a real passion for the [SSO]. Just as important, Paul has the respect of the community and is uniquely skilled at the kind of engagement the SSO needs now and in the future to be successful,” said Falcetti.
The SSO also continues to host labor negotiations with its various musicians. SSO musicians have not had a formal contract over the last three years. Initial contract talks were broken off in June 2022, with the musicians still working under the guidelines of their expired contract that ran from 2017 to 2020.
Lambert recently informed Reminder Publishing that there is potential for a hearing conflict in May if a contract is not reached.
Readers can learn more about the SSO at https://www.springfieldsymphony.org/.