Results tagged “bellevuephilharmonic”

Every music cliche could be used right now to describe--but we won't--the financial state of the ailing Bellevue Philharmonic, who was nearly forced to perform their very last show--for good. The donations were not coming in, forcing the hands of the philharmonic to seek any and all options that would prevent the loss of tradition and musical expression for the city. It was then, when the Bellevue City Council came forward, check in hand for $35,000 to help save the Bellevue Philharmonic, giving them a bailout another season of songs. This Sunday, the Bellevue Philharmonic will be playing their season finale concert and hoping that it really won't be their last.

A suggestion for a cultural outing tonight, assuming that the Eastside is convenient or alluring: John Nauman's piano recital, the second installment of the Bellevue Philharmonic Steinway Series.

In the spirit of cultural sharing and collaborative willingness, Warren Chang, the Founder and Music Director of the Chinese Arts and Music Association, has created a theme this season of presenting Chinese traditional music at Western-oriented musical institutions in the Puget Sound region. On Friday, January 16th (tomorrow) at 6:00 p.m., in a mixed program of the Eastern and Western repertoire, the Seattle Symphony will be performing the beautiful and lush Butterfly Lovers Concerto, not with a violin soloist as is typical for this piece, but rather with Mr. Chang playing the erhu, a traditional Chinese two-stringed bowed instrument. Then, on January 25th at 3:00 p.m., the US China Music Ensemble, again directed by Mr. Chang, will celebrate the Chinese New Year with a concert at St. Mark’s Cathedral, the vast acoustics of which should provide an expansive aural experience for those who are able to attend.

The largest classical ensemble on the Eastside is the Bellevue Philharmonic, which has a rich 40-year history. But with an ever changing landscape of cultural diversification and financial challenges, the new CEO, Jennifer McCausland, has a significant task ahead of her in helping the ensemble adjust and thrive. We recently sat down with her to talk about the road ahead.

Friday night local pianist Judith Cohen was featured in the first installment of the Bellevue Philharmonic’s Steinway Series. (The second features John Nauman, performing Liszt, Scarlatti, Haydn, Scriabin, and his own original composition, on January 16th.)