Grand Rapids Symphony's DVD Recording with "Hip Harpist" to be aired on PBS TV Stations Nationwide
2007-02-12
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Feb. 12, 2007 – The Grand Rapids Symphony’s DVD recording, “Invention and Alchemy,” featuring harpist Deborah Henson-Conant will be broadcast on PBS Network TV affiliates in more than 60 cities across the nation in March. This winter the two-hour DVD was reformatted into an hour-long program and offered to PBS stations to air during their fund-drives next month. PBS affiliates in major markets such as Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Denver and Phoenix have chosen to broadcast the concert show and more are expected to order the program.
“This means that Music Director David Lockington and the Grand Rapids Symphony will be seen on television in homes across the country,” said Grand Rapids Symphony President Melia Tourangneau. “The orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall, the nation’s stage, in 2005 and now again it’s serving as a community ambassador across the country through PBS.”
As part of its pledge drive WGVU TV-35 and TV 52, West Michigan’s PBS station, a service of Grand Valley State University will broadcast “Invention & Alchemy” at 8 p.m. on March 14. The DVD and a companion CD were recorded during Henson-Conant’s 2005 performance with the Symphony in DeVos Performance Hall as part of the orchestra’s Pops Series. The concert showcased the orchestra and featured Henson-Conant’s amazing musical storytelling ability with the harp. The performance also featured duets Henson-Conant did with musician ensembles and individual orchestra musicians. David Lockington traded his conductor’s baton for his cello and dressed as a sultan for a duet with the harpist titled “996,” a dramatic take on the 1001 Arabian Nights. Another work had the entire orchestra wearing lab coats while a mad scientist harpist played in a laboratory.
The “Invention & Alchemy” CD was nominated for a 2007 Grammy Award for Best Classical Crossover Album. The recording project was funded by a gift from Symphony friend and philanthropist Peter M. Wege.
About the Grammy-Nominated Project, “Invention & Alchemy”
The inspiration for “Invention & Alchemy” was sparked in 1999 when Henson-Conant first performed with the orchestra during the Symphony’s summer concert series, the Chase Picnic Pops at Cannonsburg. The chemistry between the orchestra and harpist was clearly evident. After the concert, Peter Wege, came back stage and said, “What I just saw I’d like everyone to see.” The idea of making a CD and a DVD was suggested because so much of Deborah’s performance has to be seen as well as heard.
One of America’s Leading Orchestras
Officially organized in 1930, the Grand Rapids Symphony is recognized as one of America’s leading regional orchestras. Culminating its 75th Anniversary Season, the Symphony made its debut performance to a full house in New York City’s Carnegie Hall on May 21, 2005. The New York Times wrote, “The orchestra is what it ought to be and gives a glimmer of hope for all of us in the music world.” The orchestra has recorded 10 CDs. Distributed on the Naxos label in January is a CD featuring African-American composer Adolphus Hailstork’s “Symphony No. 2” and his “Symphony No. 3.” The recording sessions took place in DeVos Performance Hall in Grand Rapids, Michigan.