Hugh Wolff conducts NEC orchestras
In his debut season as NEC's Stanford and Norma Jean Calderwood Director of Orchestras, Hugh Wolff is charged with elevating orchestral studies to one of NEC's signature programs. "We’re going to stir it up," he promises. NEC President Tony Woodcock knows Wolff well and has heard his work with professional orchestras many times. But when Wolff "auditioned" last fall in front of NEC's top student orchestra, the NEC Philharmonia, Woodcock heard a type of music making that was new to him. "Seeing these kids perform, and seeing the total commitment that they make, with no holds barred — it’s 200%. A professional orchestra could never play like that, ever. The kids just absolutely went for it, this was the definitive performance of Shostakovich 5 — there were no parameters of contracts and working practices. And I was deeply moved by that approach. I was reminded of the role of musicians, and I was reminded of how magical that can be." You will have many opportunities to hear Hugh Wolff stir up NEC's orchestras, beginning October 1. In the meantime, here’s a taste of what's happened already, from that memorable concert last fall. Dmitri Shostakovich NEC Philharmonia NEC's Jordan Hall, October 3, 2007 Engineer: Corey Schreppel concerts at NEC that will be conducted by Hugh Wolff during the 2008/2009 concert season: If you wish to be notified when a new performance has been posted, please subscribe to NEC Update. As a visitor to NEC's Firestone Library of audio materials, you may listen to this and other recordings of unique NEC performances. |
