The Mannes Orchestra, led by conductor David Hayes, kicked off the fall season with a rousing performance on September 28 at the Salvation Army Centennial Memorial Temple on 14th Street.
Even though most of those in attendance were likely not classical music aficionados, the orchestra’s performances of pieces by Haydn, Hermann and Bartok captured much of their attention.
Mannes College music students had to audition for their places in the school’s orchestra. They rehearse twice a week for two hours at the Upper West Side music school, fitting in six rehearsals and a dress rehearsal before each performance.
The night’s large-scale venue brought the orchestra downtown and closer to the rest of The New School.
“It’s different being downtown,” says Alexandria Smith, principal trumpet player. “It’s a different scene and crowd. Seeing Parsons artists is really cool and inspires us as well. It’s important for us to band together when times are this hard for artists.”
The Mannes Orchestra’s performance of “Symphony No. 44 in E Minor” by Joseph Haydn, often considered the father of the string quartet, included only the string and woodwind sections. The brass and percussion sections then joined the orchestra to play a suite from the score of the Alfred Hitchcock film “North by Northwest,” which was composed by Bernard Herrmann. He is known for his work in many other Hitchcock films, including “Psycho” and “Vertigo.” The performance created a cinematic atmosphere that took audience members and performers alike into the world of the iconic 1959 thriller film.
“I felt like a classical musical rock star,” says Mannes orchestra violinist Delaney Harter on playing the popular piece.
Following a brief intermission, the orchestra returned with their final performance of the night, Bela Bartok’s “The Miraculous Mandarin, op. 19.” The Hungarian composer originally conceived the piece as a one-act ballet before editing it down to a concert suite. With each changing movement, the musical tones shifted from soft to percussion-heavy with contributions on bassoon and harp.
“For our first performance, it was really great,” says Smith. “It’s really inspiring to be surrounded by great musicians. We feed off each other, and are all trying to become a world-renowned orchestra.”
The orchestra took three bows at the end of the concert. New School President David Van Zandt then met members backstage and offered his congratulatory words.
“It’s very cool that The New School is linked to [so many disciplines],” says Parsons student Ashley Wayne. “It allows you to be aware of new and different opportunities. I feel like my soul has been opened up.”
The Mannes Orchestra will perform its next concert at the Mannes Concert Hall on October 12 at 8 p.m.
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