After more than a year of virtual performances and operations, the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra returns live this fall with its 2021-2022 season kicking off Sunday in the Penn State Recital Hall.
The season’s theme is “together again,” with concert selections tying into the theme in creative, celebratory ways, bringing back returning and local talent.
“It was so foreign last year to not be able to make music together and to only interact on Zoom,” says Anna Skrupky, executive director at the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra.
The orchestra’s last concert took place in January 2020. Over the last year-plus, the orchestra has offered free, online programming featuring recordings of past performances paired with interviews and commentary.
“It was totally different and we’re really excited to get back into the concert hall,” Skrupky says. “It was fun to look at old concerts, but… it’s going to be so great to just be together, in the same room, and be able to make music together.”
The schedule will include three concerts centered on the season’s theme and the much-anticipated holiday concert, as well as family programming and concerts presented in partnership with the State College Choral Society.
Skrupky notes the Dec. 12 holiday concert will likely be the most popular this year, with a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” and guest conductor Christopher Kiver.
“The holiday concert sold out the last year,” Skrupky says. “In fact, we oversold, because some people didn’t show up and we just kept selling until we had no seats left. The holiday concert is extremely popular.”
But, for those who can’t make the holiday concert — or any of this season’s events — Skrupky does assure the orchestra will continue offering free, live streamed concerts on its website.
While classical music aficionados may already be intimately familiar with some of the orchestra’s selections this season — including Handel’s “Messiah” and a performance of Beethoven’s “Triple Concerto” at the third concert in May — for those seeking something new, Skrupky recommends the first concert of the season, which includes the “Four Seasons of Buenos Aires” by Astor Piazzolla, Mozart’s Overture to “Abduction from the Seraglio” and Dvorak’s “Czech Suite.”
“Everyone knows Mozart, but I’m not sure that Piazzolla and Dvorak are household names,” she says. “And it’s Piazzolla’s hundredth birthday this year, so a lot of orchestras are starting to play him. It’s very timely.”
This season will look only slightly different from previous years. While the orchestra will be performing in its normal venue, the Penn State Recital Hall, all attendees will be required to mask while indoors. While tickets are for reserved seating, audiences are permitted to move to open seats for greater social distancing, if desired. However, for the time being, the orchestra is not limiting ticket sales.
The orchestra’s Maestro Yaniv Attar sums up the anticipated season best, saying, “We have an incredible season coming up, with a fantastic line up of soloists! The repertoire will be a wonderful combination of both known and lesser-known works which I know you will love. I’m especially excited about the soloists who will be joining us this season, but more than anything, I am so thrilled to finally reconnect with both the orchestra and our audience.”
More information — including yet-to-be-finalized details regarding educational programming and the orchestra’s annual family concert — can be found at pachamberorchestra.org as it becomes available. Tickets are available through the Penn State Eisenhower Auditorium box office and also on the orchestra’s website.
