How the Grinch ALMOST Stole ASO Music

When COVID-19 precautions ramped up in early November, Edgar Herrera was faced with a difficult decision.

“We launched our virtual concert series in September,” said Herrera, executive director of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. “The first two performances exceeded our wildest dreams, but as we prepared for December, pandemic-related rules changed and our 70-member orchestra could not practice or perform together, making the presentation of our December 18th Holiday Classics concert and December 3rd ASO Chat with Dr. Rachel Franklin an impossibility. What could we do?”

Refusing to abandon the momentum of the successful virtual season, Herrera and ASO Music Director Maestro José-Luis Novo decided to turn a negative into a positive by “gifting” 12 days of music to the public.

Beginning December 14 and continuing through December 25, the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra will offer Holiday Harmony: 12 Musical Days of ASO, daily performances including full orchestral movements, special solo pieces and jazz versions of holiday music. These performances are free and can be accessed by signing up at AnnapolisSymphony.org/HolidayHarmony

Also, in lieu of the previously scheduled Holiday Concert, ASO subscribers and Symphony+ members are invited to a virtual Beethoven Birthday Bash on December 18, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of his birth. The performance will include the first three movements of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony plus the Leonore 3 Overture by the ASO at Strathmore, José-Luis Novo conductor.

Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Give live music! The Symphony+ All Access Household pass ($99) can be enjoyed by all ages, from anywhere in the world. Symphony+ includes all ASO Live! live stream performances, pre-concert ASO Chats, unlimited ASO RePlay and bonus content such as the Beethoven Birthday Bash. Single tickets are also available ($49) for upcoming live stream performances. The ASO Virtual Box Office is open 24/7 for your convenient shopping at SymphonyPlus.org

“So many families are making the tough decision to forego in-person gatherings over the holidays to keep everyone COVID safe,” said Herrera. “Watching our free 12 Days of Music or giving a Symphony+ Household pass as a gift, allows families and friends to unite virtually and share a wonderful evening of music.”

The schedule for Holiday Harmony: 12 Musical Days of ASO:

Monday, December 14: Hot Clarinet Nutcracker

Six pieces from the Nutcracker Suite by P. I. Tchaikovsky: Overture -Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy- Russian Dance, Trepak - Arabian Dance - Chinese Dance- Dance of the Mirlitons

Robert DiLutis, clarinet

Rachel Franklin, piano

Tuesday, December 15: The Pines of the Villa Borghese

Pines of Rome 1st mvt. “The Pines in the Villa Borghese” by Ottorino Respighi

ASO at Strathmore, José-Luis Novo, conductor

Wednesday, December 16: Angel Gabriel

Angel Gabriel (traditional Basque)

Rachel Franklin, piano

Jonathan Miles Brown, fretless bass

Psalm 104 – Barchi nafshi et Adonai (Babylonian Jewish Chant/arr. Sonos Trio)

Sonos Trio-Christian Tremblay, violin; Rachel Franklin, piano; Jonathan Miles Brown, fretless bass

Thursday, December 17: The Holly Oboe

The Holly and The Ivy (traditional British)

Sing We Now of Christmas (traditional French)

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (traditional British)

Al Hanisim (traditional Jewish) & Ner Li by D. Samburski

Pat-a-Pan by Bernard de La Monnoye

Fatma Daglar, oboe

Rachel Franklin, piano

Friday, December 18: Pines Near a Catacomb

Pines of Rome 2nd mvt. “Pines Near a Catacomb” by Ottorino Respighi

ASO at Strathmore, José-Luis Novo, conductor

Saturday, December 19: Jazzy Rumanian Christmas Carols

Rumanian Christmas Carols Sz. 57 by Béla Bartók - No’s 1,2,3,5,7, 8 & 10

Sonos Trio: Christian Tremblay, violin; Rachel Franklin, piano; Jonathan Miles Brown, fretless bass guitar

Sunday, December 20: Salut d'Armour

Salut d’amour by Edward Elgar

Madonna, du bist schöner als der Sonnenschein (When Day Is Done) by Robert Katscher/ arr. Jonathan Jensen

Netanel Draiblate, violin

Lura Johnson, piano

Monday, December 21: Silent Night

Greensleeves (traditional British) /arr. Daniel Kelley

Ebats Folatres (Boisterous Frolicking) from Suite Champêtre by M. Boucard

Silent Night by Franz Gruber/arr. William Zinn.

Kimberly Valerio, flute

Anthony Valerio, French horn

Tuesday, December 22: Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Wexford Carol (traditional Irish)

Hark the Herald Angels Sing by Charles Wesley, George Whitefield, Felix Mendelssohn

Québécois fiddling tune: Reel de Rimouski (traditional French Canadian)

Sonos Trio: Christian Tremblay, violin; Rachel Franklin, piano: Jonathan Miles Brown, fretless bass

Wednesday, December 23: The Pines of the Janiculum

Pines of Rome 3rd mvt. “The Pines of the Janiculum” by Ottorino Respighi

ASO at Strathmore, José-Luis Novo, conductor

Thursday, December 24: The Pines of the Appian Way

Pines of Rome 4th mvt. “The Pines of the Appian Way” by Ottorino Respighi (6’)

ASO at Strathmore, José-Luis Novo, conductor

Friday, December 25: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane

My Favorite Things by Richard Rogers & Oscar Hammerstein

Sonos Trio: Christian Tremblay, violin; Rachel Franklin, piano; Jonathan Miles Brown, fretless bass

Saturday, December 26 BONUS

Broadcast on 91.5FM WBJC Music in Maryland, 6pm

Concerto and soloist TBA

Love Scene from Romeo and Juliette by Hector Berlioz

Háry János Suite by Zoltán Kodály

Petra Berenyi, cimbalom

About the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra

Now in its 59th season, the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is led by renowned Music Director José-Luis Novo and features 70 professional musicians who perform a variety of symphonic concerts for over 30,000 people of all ages every year. Additionally, the non-profit organization provides educational programs through its partnerships with local schools, as well as other community outreach efforts. The Annapolis Symphony Academy is an integral part of the Symphony's programs. The Academy identifies and nurtures musical talent in children and youth in an environment of excellence that values and promotes diversity.

Major funding for the Annapolis Symphony is generously provided by Elizabeth Richebourg Rea, the Maryland State Arts Council, Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, and Friends of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony’s residency at Maryland Hall is made possible in part by a generous grant from Laird Lott and Linda Gooden.