Highlights from March Newsletter

The reviews are in from our March 7th performance at Carnegie Hall!

Eric Simpson, on the New York Classical Review website, said that "Sumptuous Tchaikovsky and brooding Bartok (were) ideally served by Nézet-Séguin, Philadelphia Orchestra."  You can read the full reviewhere.

Anthony Tommasini, in The New York Times, spoke of our "searing account of Bartok's Bluebeard's Castle," and called our performance of excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, "full of dancing grace, soaring lyricism and glistening color." You can read the full review here.

Featuring Jason DePue, First Violin

​Hometown: Bowling Green, OH *Go BGSU Falcons!*

Orchestra member since: September, 2000

What is your instrument? --My violin is a really great French fiddle made by Charles Francois Gand, 1825. It sounds great, it's in fabulous condition, and looks great too.

What are your hobbies? --Sports, particularly football. Attending outdoor movies. Playing mandolin and viola. Arranging music in addition to studio work and recording.

What was it like to grow up with 3 brothers who also play the violin? --We have always been able to bring out the best in one another by challenging ourselves both professionally and personally. One definite DePue Brothers trait I carry with me to this day is at the end of any concert, the very first thing that goes thru my mind regardless how well I believe I play/how positive the ovation, is, "I could have done better." It's love, life, liberty, and the pursuit of great musicianship.

Tell us a little about the DePue Brothers Band. --The DePue Brothers Band is an expansion of the DePue Family Musicians which began in the early 1980's. Members include Mark Cosgrove, guitar, Mike Munford, banjo, Kevin MacConnell, bass, and fellow Philadelphia Orchestra colleague and friend, Don Liuzzi. More information can be found on our website.

Who are your favorite non-classical musicians? --David Grisman, Willie Nelson, Allison Krauss, Billy Joel, King's Singers. "Newer" artists, Bruno Mars and Adele are definite winners. One of many reasons I enjoy watching Saturday Night Live is listening to new musical groups.

What are some of your favorite pieces/composers to play with the Philadelphia Orchestra? --Anything Ravel or Stravinsky. Specific repertoire: Respighi "Roman Festivals"; Hindemith "Mathis der Maler"; Vaughan Williams "Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis"; Roussel Bacchus et Ariane Suite No. 2; and just about any composer whose last name begins with the letter "B"!
Do you have any upcoming performances? --There are two upcoming DePue Brothers Band events in the area: Trinity Presbyterian Church, Cherry Hill, NJ, March 17th, 7pm The Hill at Whitemarsh, March 19th, 3pm

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Our free pop-up concert on February 28th was a gift to our community of music lovers.  You can read the full article by Peter Dobrin here.

In this photo by Steven M. Falk, Assistant Philadelphia Orchestra Conductor Kensho Watanabe helps 3-yer-old Grace Gu from Phoenixville conduct during a pop-up performance, with a conduct-along in the public space before the show. Tuesday, February 28, 2017.

Susan Lewis profiles Philadelphia Orchestra Contra-Bassonist Holly Blake on the WRTI website.  You can read the full article and listen to the podcast here.

Krista Corl, left, in Oscar de la Renta; Philadelphia Orchestra French Horn player Shelley Showers in Nicole Miller, right, at the Academy of Music Anniversary Concert, January 28th.  (Photo: Charles Fox.) You can read the full article here.