Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
The All-Star Orchestra is just that, an ensemble of top musicians from across America, led by Music Director Gerard Schwarz. Over five seasons its many programs have won no fewer than nine Emmy® Awards. The orchestra will preview its sixth season on WNET, New York’s PBS affiliate, on Sunday, June 16 at 2:30pm.
“What started as a passion project to put together some of the best musicians in the country is now a first-rank orchestra entering its second decade,” said Maestro Schwarz. “The repertoire is great, and each player’s performance is first-class, but what matters the most is the inspiration that we can provide to viewers across the country through public TV.”
That’s a wise course in our video-dominated age. Over 250 public TV stations broadcast Season Five in the autumn of 2023.
Episodes from past seasons are available on YouTube.
Principal players from some of the U.S.’s top orchestras comprise the All-Star Orchestra. Along with performances of classical symphonies and new works by leading contemporary American composers, the programs include interviews and commentary from musicians, special guests, and Maestro Schwarz.
All-Star Orchestra Season Six
Season Six consists of four hourlong episodes. Broadcast dates on public television stations across the country will be available at the All-Star Orchestra website. Beginning with Episode One, “A Symphonic Organ Spectacular,” the season includes music by Schubert, Liszt, Saint-Saëns, Bach/Respighi, and Bartók, as well as 20th- and 21st-century music by Paul Hindemith, Joan Tower, David Diamond, and Mexican composer Carlos Chávez, whose 1931 Sinfonía India incorporates Indigenous American melodies and Aztec percussion.
Watch the preview episode on June 16 at 2:30pm here.
