The CSO's tour to Argentina originates from a collaboration between our orchestra and the Orquestra Sinfónica del Neuquén in Argentina. In September of 2014, our conductor, Chris Younghoon Kim, traveled to Neuquén to give a concert with their orchestra, along with their conductor, Andres Tolcachir. In return, Maestro Tolcachir traveled to Ithaca in October to conduct the Cornell Symphony Orchestra in a program of Latin American works, including Arturo Marquéz's Danzón No. 2 and Alberto Ginastera's Estancia Suite. After the collaboration, Maestro Tolcachir invited our entire orchestra to Argentina, and this spring, we will finally be able to fulfill that invitation.
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The tour to Argentina will last one week, from March 31 to April 9, where the CSO will collaborate and perform together with the Orquestra Sinfónica del Neuquén, as well as a local youth orchestra. The highlight of the concert program will be Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 6, a monumental and epic symphonic work that stretches the limits of any orchestra. Aside from the performance in Neuquén, the CSO members will also be traveling across the country, visiting the bustling metropolis of Buenos Aires, as well as experiencing the majestic Andes in the village of Bariloche.
ABOUT THE TOUR
A Collaboration with the Orquestra Sinfónica del Neuquén
The CORNELL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Cornell Symphony Orchestra, comprised of 70-80 musicians from all studies and departments across the university, is dedicated to performing symphonic repertoire from the baroque through the 20th century, as well as contemporary works fo our time. Directed by Chris Younghoon Kim, the CSO presents 4-6 concerts per year, including our annual Young People's Concert, which aims to engage children from the Ithaca community and inspire a new generation of musicians. The orchestra has worked with numerous guest conductors, including Leon Fleisher, Johannes Schlaefli, and Larry Rachleff, as well as guest soloists including Xak Bjerken (piano), Tim Feeney (percussion), and Inbal Segev (cello). The CSO is also dedicated to performing new music, and has collaborated with many of today's most prominent composers, including Roberto Sierra and the late Steven Stucky. The orchestra embarks on tours every 1-2 years; past destinations have included Berlin, Puerto Rico, and most recently in January of 2015, a trip to Dublin, Ireland.
TOURING WITH THE CSO
For our January 2015 tour, the Cornell Symphony Orchestra traveled to Dublin, Ireland, where we performed Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 5 with members of the Royal Irish Academy of Music and James Cavanaugh. We also collaborated with singer-songwriter Ian Doyle at the Wexford Opera House. Read more about our Ireland tour here.
Since I came home from the CSO tour, all of my friends and family have been asking me the famous “How was the trip?” questions. And I keep responding with the same answer: “It was the best trip of my life.” It was such a unique experience and I don’t think I will ever get another opportunity to travel to Ireland in the way that we did.
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Emilie Camera '17 - violin
Sharing the experience of touring in Ireland provided the extra bit of motivation to reach out to distant members of the orchestra and really get to know them on a personal (and musical) level...Before traveling to Ireland with the CSO, I came to rehearsal to make music, and now I come to rehearsal to make music with friends.
Brian Schaefer (Grad) - clarinet
Having the opportunity to go somewhere new, meet new people, eat new foods and truly experience a culture is an amazing gift.
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Reade Otto-Moudry '17 - French horn
Not only did I learn about Irish culture by experiencing its cuisine, museums, and beautiful architecture firsthand, but I also had the opportunity to perform with new musicians that exuded passion and enthusiasm with every note they played. In just one week, I felt I had grown musically and created new memories that would last a lifetime.
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Mary Nattakom '17 -violin
