Fairfax Symphony Orchestra kicks off 67th season this weekend at GMU

In his 15th year, and as the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra begins its 67th season, Music Director and Conductor Christopher Zimmerman knows what’s made the symphony flourish, and he says playing new music by living composers has been one of the leading tickets.

“The FSO and I have expanded the repertoire that we present quite considerably, particularly in the area of new music by living composers,” Zimmerman said. “From the beginning of my tenure, we have performed brand new pieces and pieces by the great, well-known composers that are perhaps a little off the beaten track, as well as those on the beaten track, of course.”

This was not missed by Washington Post classical music critic, Michael Brodeur, who wrote, “Among the things to admire about the FSO is its commitment to variety. Avoiding the obvious seems like a guiding principle for conductor and music director Christopher Zimmerman.”

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Board Chairman Jose “Pepe” Figueroa led the search committee that hired Zimmerman. He said, “Fifteen years ago, the FSO identified its new MD. Maestro Zimmerman shares new enthusiasm and artistry with our orchestra that to this day, continues to inspire the musicians and audience with the perfect balance of exciting new music and the classics that are eternal.”

In addition to reportorial variety, Zimmerman says he has tried through his programming, pre-concert talks and words from the stage, “to bring people into the world of symphonic music, not only though passion and love for the pieces we perform, but also through curiosity and a desire to place music in a context beyond just entertainment.”

“Sharing both historical context and current insights about the music and composers takes the listener deeper into the music,” he said. “It connects them more specifically to the music and to our musicians to create a unique experience beyond simply hearing the notes played.”

There is an electricity about Zimmerman, who believes “art is a reflection of our lives … our past, our present, and our dreams for the future.” His goal in the symphony’s programming “is to bring joy through the music itself, but also to elevate an understanding of the moral context and the unique emotional response that music brings to our lives.”

Zimmerman also points to “a wonderful blend of seasoned professional musicians,” many who have played with the orchestra for decades, combined with new musicians near the beginning of their professional careers – both serving in leadership positions. Also, nearly 40% of the musicians are active duty, retired or former military musicians.

“I think the wide palette of symphonic music that we offer – from the blockbuster music of history’s greatest composers with renowned soloists to new music and emerging artists – provides unique programs for our diverse audiences,” Zimmerman said.

The season kicks off Oct. 19 with a “Bernstein & Copland” performance at the Harris Theatre at George Mason University.

Jonathan Kerr, executive director of the symphony orchestra, who has led the organization since 2014, said of Zimmerman, “Chris’ leadership as Music Director has elevated the FSO’s important role as a cultural ambassador for Fairfax County, bringing a new level of artistry and attracting world-renowned soloists to expand our cultural impact within the community and beyond.”

As a conductor, once in front of the orchestra in rehearsal and in concert, Zimmerman said, “All aspects of preparing for and presenting a live performance come about through communication — communication that is intentional yet collaborative, clear, yet flexible, efficient, yet uplifting, and hopefully sometimes insightful and inspiring.”

Zimmerman reflects fondly on concerts “when you can tell that the audience is on your wavelength from the start, and the orchestra and I have really connected both with the listeners and each other.”

He also loved the concerts “which are either new to me and the orchestra and have been thrilling to put together and perform.  Our first, and as yet only concert opera performance of ‘La Boheme,’ and also Verdi’s ‘Requiem,’ belong to this category.”

When asked what surprises him the most, Zimmerman responded, “Nothing ever, ever, is predictable — from one rehearsal to the next, one concert to the next, one musical relationship to the next. Also how different a work seems each time I prepare and conduct it, no matter how many times I have before.

“And I love our adventurous audiences and their receptive reaction when they experience a new work for the first time,” he said.

The hard work is paying off. Brodeur, the music critic, writes, “The FSO routinely does more than most regional orchestras dare, and that counts as its own type of heroism.”

Since the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra’s inception 67 years ago, Zimmerman said it was created by — and continues to benefit from — “those who believe in the transformative power classical music plays in our lives – to entertain, educate, and enrich us.”

This article was written by FFXnow’s news partner InsideNoVa.com and republished with permission. Sign up for InsideNoVa.com’s free email subscription today.