Oseye T. Boyd
MUNCIE — Let's see, there will be Muncie Symphony Orchestra performances at Meeks Mortuary and Ball Memorial Hospital Heart Center Atrium. Another one where patrons can build a backpack with food to give to local families, and the inclusion of modern composers.
If MSO's upcoming season seems different from the past, that's because it is, and they're fired up about it. They're "Reinventing the Wheel!" this season, hence all the promotional material with artistic director Bohuslav Rattay on different types wheels. You can just hear the enthusiasm in executive director Elissa McDonald's voice and see the sparkle in her eyes as she talks.
"It'll be a fun year of really different things," McDonald said. "We're trying to have some things that our season-ticket holders, ... that they will enjoy and add some really different stuff to mix it up, and we're really trying to completely throw folks something new, something fresh." McDonald doesn't want to call performances during the Rattanovy series concerts, where less than a dozen musicians will play -- because that would bring a different connotation. She wants an intimate feel -- as though you have professional musicians in your living room. By the way, Rattanovy is a combination of Rattay (Bohuslav's last name) and the Czech word for "new."Flirting with the Devil at Meeks Mortuary on Oct. 30 is right on time for Halloween. And, how appropriate that Heartbreak Hotel at Ball Memorial Hospital Heart Center Atrium happens Feb. 19, during a month dedicated to matters of the heart? "The idea is it's very relaxed," McDonald said. "Relax, sit back, enjoy versus sitting in an auditorium. Definitely more relaxed and very casual."
Rattay made a point to have pieces from living composers -- including André Previn -- in the Classically Classic series. This will expand people's concept of what great symphony music is. "I would say the biggest thing of the season is the combination of the modern pieces that we are doing," Rattay said. "The criteria that I set for myself this season is that on each piece there needs to be an American living composer. "When Beethoven wrote his symphonies, they were new at that time," Rattay added. "Give it a chance; at least once."
The music and vibe won't be the only thing different for MSO this season. The almost 600 season-ticket holders and guests will have to share their conductor. Rattay will double as the conductor for Lake Charles Symphony Orchestra in Lake Charles, La.
At first, Don Whitaker and his wife, Sue, had some concerns about the move, but those were alleviated once they were assured Muncie would be Rattay's home base. "I think as long as most of his time is spent here in Muncie working with the MSO, I guess we don't have real problems with that," Whitaker said. "We've been long time supporters -- staunch, supporters.
"He's such an exciting conductor," Whitaker continued. "(He) puts every bit of himself into every concert. Of course, the symphony is performing magnificently, we think."
Contact news reporter Oseye T. Boyd at 213-5830.
