Album Notes

The Traverse Symphony Orchestra has released a new CD featuring musical highlights from its historic 50th Anniversary Season, taking place from September 2001 to April 2002. Sponsored by The Sound Room, the CD was culled from live recordings produced by Jack Conners and initially broadcast on Interlochen Public Radio. Music Director Kevin Rhodes conducts all selections, including excerpts from Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 "Choral" and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4, as well as the complete Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin, with Kevin Rhodes on piano.

The disc includes the 4th movement of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, with its famous "Ode to Joy," featuring soprano Mary Wilson, mezzo-soprano Emily Lodine, tenor Eric Ashcraft, and baritone Lorenzo Formosa. The Traverse Symphony Chorus is joined by the NMC Grand Traverse Chorale and Chamber Singers, directed by Mark Puchala; as well as the MSU Chorale, directed by Dr. Jonathan Reed. Jazz clarinetist Harry Goldson is heard performing the famous clarinet introduction in Rhapsody in Blue. Other selections include Debussy's Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun, Dukas' The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and Bizet's Carmen Suite No. 1.
"Favorites of the 50th contains a wonderful variety of music, and is a marvelous representation of the quality of the TSO under Kevin Rhodes," said Executive Director Andy Buelow. "We are very grateful to The Sound Room for their sponsorship, and to Jack Conners for his production expertise."