Matthew Phelps conducts the Nashville Concerto Orchestra in rehearsal for their first performance, with Gil Perel, bassoon ~ June 25, 2016, Edgehill United Methodist Church, Nashville

Music City’s unique Nashville Concerto Orchestra will present their fourth concert next Saturday, April 15, bringing full circle the NCO’s first annual cycle of seasonal concerts that began with their Summer 2016 concert last June.

This week I spoke with the orchestra’s founder Roger Wiesmeyer and this concert’s soloists about the upcoming program and the special opportunities this ensemble provides.

click to enlarge

Mozart in Nashville presents
Nashville Concerto Orchestra

Spring Concert
Saturday, April 15, 2017, 3:30 pm
East End United Methodist Church, Nashville
donations will be accepted

Heitor Villa-Lobos:
Ciranda das sete notas, W325
~ Maya Stone, bassoon solo

Giovanni Bottesini:
Double Bass Concerto No. 2
in B minor
~ Mickey Rybiski, bass solo

conducted by Joseph Lee

“We had a Fall Concert featuring the world premiere of Michael Rose’s cello concerto, and Summer and Winter Concerts with music by Bach, Haydn, Vivaldi, and the famous Concierto de Aranjuez by Rodrigo.” said Roger. “And now we’re excited to play Villa-Lobos and Bottesini next week on our first Spring Concert!

your host, Roger Wiesmeyer

“Both of our soloists have previously been members of the orchestra, which is what our model is all about: soloists and orchestra players alike are volunteers and members of our own community, who take turns playing within the ensemble as well as in front of it.”

Mozart in Nashville is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to bringing classical music to those who might not otherwise encounter it. The organization’s activities include the annual Mozart Birthday Concerts; quarterly performances of the Nashville Concerto Orchestra; and small ensemble and solo performances throughout the community, all year round. For more information click here to visit the Mozart in Nashville website.

Maya Stone

Bassoonist Maya Stone is an active freelance performer and teacher, and a veteran of the Middle Tennessee classical music scene.

She was born and grew up in Troy, New York, and earned her undergraduate degree in Music Education and Africana studies at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music. She holds graduate degrees in bassoon performance and woodwind specialty from the Michigan State University (M.M ) and University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Stone has taught at several universities throughout the region. She plays second bassoon in the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, and is member at large on the executive board of the Regional Orchestra Players’ Association (ROPA).

 

Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959)

 

Michael “Mickey” Rybiski began playing the bass in college while attending McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. After only three years of study, Mr. Rybiski won the McNeese State University Concerto Competition. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree at McNeese in 1998, and a Master’s degree from the University of Michigan in 2002 – both degrees in performance.

Mickey Rybiski

Micky currently serves as principal bass for the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra and has performed with many symphony orchestras. He has extensive experience as a music educator, and served as orchestra director for 11 years in Texas before moving to Nashville to accept the position of orchestra director at Poplar Grove Middle School in the Franklin Special School District.

Mickey will be performing one of three bass concerti composed by the “Paganini of the Double Bass” – 19th century virtuoso Giovanni Bottesini. Like other 19th century Italian composers, Bottesini’s music was heavily influenced by the bel canto opera style popular at the time as exemplified by the music of Donizetti, Bellini, Rossini, and others. He played a 3-string bass (also popular at the time) – Mickey will play his concerto on a (conventional) contemporary 4-string instrument.

Giovanni Bottesini (1821-1889) with his 3-string bass

“I’ve played in the bass section of the Concerto Orchestra several times.” said Mickey. “Playing a solo on the bass is a rare opportunity – I’m really excited about it!”

“I really appreciate what Roger has been doing. It takes a lot of hard work that a lot of people don’t recognize to get everybody together to rehearse and perform these concerts.”

The Nashville Concerto Orchestra Spring Concert on April 15 will be conducted by Joseph Lee. Any proceeds from donations will benefit East End Methodist Church music ministries.

Enthusing about the NCO’s upcoming programming, Roger said “Our June concert will feature the Schumann Cello Concerto performed by Stephen Drake and Denise Baker playing Ernest Chausson’s Poème for violin and orchestra. And we have exciting plans for next season!”