PSO virtual concert series opens with celebration of Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will bring a new type of front row experience to music lovers via an online concert series premiering Oct. 19.

”Front Row: The PSO Virtual Experience” will include five episodes that will traverse the region and offer classical and popular music, along with Holiday Pops and other special features and interviews. All five episodes will be available free at pittsburghsymphony.org.

The first installment, “Our Love for Pittsburgh,” will debut at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19.

“The virtual curtain rises to the sounds of Tchaikovsky’s ‘Serenade for Strings,’ a piece written just a decade before the founding of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, a noble, generous work that exemplifies Pittsburgh and its people,” according to a release.

Composers featured in the debut episode also include Jessie Montgomery, Francesco Geminiani, Ennio Morricone and Billy Strayhorn, “as the Orchestra salutes Pittsburgh through a glorious musical exploration of our dramatic geographic setting and the people drawn to it — the innovators, the immigrants, the trailblazers and the artists,” the release says.

Acclaimed violinist Alexi Kenney will serve as guest concertmaster and leader.

“As our country continues to experience the deep impact of the covid pandemic, our hunger to create and to enjoy music also continues unabated. It is in that spirit that we have created ‘Front Row: The PSO Virtual Experience,’ which brings together the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians, special friends and community partners to offer music to lift spirits, stories to inspire and places and people to touch your soul,” said Melia Tourangeau, PSO president and CEO.

Themed episodes

Each 60-90-minute episode will feature music performed by ensembles of the PSO accompanied by interviews and other features guided by the episode’s particular theme. These features will include behind-the-scenes looks at the orchestra; an exploration of Heinz Hall with host Jim Cunningham, artistic director at WQED-FM; and perspectives from musicians, conductors and PSO leadership, with interviewer Sydni Grant Goldman.

“(With) the series, you’ll not only be front row with the music, but also hear the journeys of the musicians we all love to see perform on Heinz Hall’s stage,” Goldman said. “Even though we’re in the midst of a pandemic, I’m excited for the city and the next generation to experience the PSO in an innovative and fresh new way. The symphony is such a beautiful part of Pittsburgh that makes a tremendous impact in the city of bridges and beyond.”

Front Row is being created in partnership with Flying Scooter Productions, a Pittsburgh-based creative agency and film studio that produces for both national and local brands and collaborates on various nonprofit campaigns. In 2019 and 2020, it was recognized with Telly Awards for work in partnership with Light of Life Rescue Mission.

Support for the series is provided by BNY Mellon, PNC, UPMC Health Plan and Highmark.