The Name is Bond … James Bond!
With 54 years of iconic films under his belt, 007 has inspired a new mission: an arresting Cleveland Pops Orchestra revue of all the legendary songs that sound-tracked his heroism. Experience the action, triumph and intensity of a James Bond mission from the safety of your seat with the orchestra alongside Broadway songstress Rachel York. From Adele’s “Skyfall” to Wings’ “Live and Let Die,” the show partners the most well-known Bond songs with mesmerizing vocals. “To stand in front of this symphony orchestra and to hear this great music from more than 60 musicians and Rachel York charges a lot of emotion into the program,” says Carl Topilow, founding conductor. Nov. 12, Severance Hall, clevelandpops.com
Last Night of Summer: A Countryside Celebration
Despite the music being nearly three centuries old, Apollo’s Fire still draws big crowds — it has the third largest baroque audience in the country. To commemorate 25 years of string-heavy period music, the group is holding an olden-style barn party with a concert featuring love songs by Monteverdi and global folk songs, a Champagne reception and dinner. As wooden flutes, cello, guitar, lute and harpsichord create elegant, emotionally charged music, guests can take to the floor for classical English country line dancing. “We transport people back in time,” says Jeannette Sorrell, founder and artistic director of Apollo’s Fire. “We’re able to create a context so that people have a window into the music.” Sept. 17, The Grounds of the Baroque Music Barn, apollosfire.org
Respighi’s Pines of Rome
Franz Welser-Möst has a reputation for getting to the emotional core of a piece with a terse, focused and rational interpretation. Entering into his 15th season, the Cleveland Orchestra conductor and music director leads the rarely paired works of Fountains of Rome, Pines of Rome and Roman Festivals by Italian composer Ottorino Respighi and Symphony No. 8 by German composer Ludwig van Beethoven. “There is remedy, joy and colorful qualities to the Beethoven and rigorous, profound qualities to Respighi,” says principal oboe Frank Rosenwein. Oct. 6-9, Severance Hall, clevelandorchestra.comThe Planets & So-
A stroll through the forest engages our senses, but we usually focus on the lush sights. The Akron Symphony Orchestra, however, is sending the sounds of nature to your ears. Featuring Akron’s own Josh Quillen and the So- Percussion, this concert combines an array of sounds from sticks breaking to birds chirping. The pros get some assistance from audience members who will stream recorded bird sounds from their cellphones during the performance. “The show is all about human contemplation of nature,” says Christopher Wilkins, music director and conductor. “It should be fun.” Oct. 15, E.J. Thomas Hall, akronsymphony.org
