Resonate

Welcome to our exciting new concert series, guaranteed to resonate with you in every way. It checks all the boxes for classical music fans!

• The fantastic Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
• Our engaging Maestro Eric Jacobsen
• Pianist Stewart Goodyear, Artist-in-Residence
• Show-stopping repertoire: Beethoven piano concertos, plus, plus
• Intimate chamber music performed by OPO musicians and Stewart Goodyear
• In between, time to catch your breath and hang out with other like-minded music aficionados

What’s on?

Our first-ever Artist-in-Residence Stewart Goodyear (“a phenomenon” ~Los Angeles Times; “one of the best pianists of his generation” ~Philadelphia Inquirer) solos in all five brilliant Beethoven piano concertos…in just three concerts. Do not miss this rare happening!

What to listen for?

From the three crashing chords with which the pianist announces himself in the Third Concerto to the intimate “conversation” between soloist and orchestra in the Fourth, to the regal ”Emperor” Concerto—a crowning achievement. And if that weren’t enough, Stewart will up the stakes by improvising the cadenzas on the spot in the first four concertos.

 Beethoven 360

Stewart enthuses: “Performing these concertos gets me into the public side of Beethoven—great theatre, great drama, great virtuosity, and, most importantly, great merriment. These pieces show him as entertainer, actor, storyteller, and playwright. To me, these concertos are pursuits of unbridled joy.”

The “Olympics” at RESONATE

These pianistic feats (yes, feats!) require intelligence, amazing memory, focus, and just plain stamina. “Mentally and physically, I train like an Olympic athlete…lots of repetition and building muscle memory in my fingers, so that by the time I rehearse and perform, my focus will be on an organic collaboration between conductor, orchestra, and audience,” says Stewart.

Breathe!

You’ll need it! After each breathtaking Orchestra Concert, mix and mingle with fellow-concertgoers (bar service available) before heading to the Palmer Room for music that’s up close and personal.

Getting intimate

After the break, it’s beguiling chamber music, including the “Ghost” piano trio, sublime sonatas, the cheery Septet, and, in the solo spotlight, Stewart plays the “Moonlight” Sonata, “Für Elise,” and more.

You MUST be there!

Artist-in-Residence Stewart Goodyear

Proclaimed “a phenomenon” by the Los Angeles Times and “one of the best pianists of his generation” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Stewart Goodyear is an accomplished concert pianist, improviser and composer. Mr. Goodyear has performed with, and has been commissioned by, many of the major orchestras and chamber music organizations around the world.

Last year, Orchid Classics released Mr. Goodyear’s recording of his suite for piano and orchestra, “Callaloo” and his piano sonata. His recent commissions include a Piano Quintet for the Penderecki String Quartet, and a piano work for the Honens Piano Competition.

Mr. Goodyear’s discography includes the complete sonatas and piano concertos of Beethoven, as well as concertos by Tchaikovsky, Grieg and Rachmaninov, an album of Ravel piano works, and an album, entitled “For Glenn Gould”, which combines repertoire from Mr. Gould’s US and Montreal debuts. His Rachmaninov recording received a Juno nomination for Best Classical Album for Soloist and Large Ensemble Accompaniment. Mr. Goodyear’s recording of his own transcription of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker (Complete Ballet)”, was chosen by the New York Times as one of the best classical music recordings of 2015. His discography is released on the Marquis Classics, Orchid Classics, and Steinway and Sons labels.

Resonate Festival 2020 at The Plaza Live. Photo Credit: Alex Sturgill