Continuing its 13th season, ROCO presented “Courageous Catalysts”, featuring a new commission by Michael Gandolfi. The new work, entitled “Houston: September 12, 1962”, celebrated the 100th birthday of President John F. Kennedy and the courage of people who fight for change. Conducted by Michael Stern, the program also included Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 7 in C major, op. 105, the composer’s final published symphony, and Bruce Adolphe’s I Will Not Remain Silent, a violin concerto inspired by the life of German-American rabbi and civil rights leader, Joachim Prinz. Throughout the concerto, the violin, played by ROCO concertmaster and featured soloist, Scott St. John, represented the voice of Prinz, while the orchestra represents opposing forces – Nazi Germany in the first movement and America during the Civil Rights era in the second movement. Performed November 11, 2017, at The Church of St. John the Divine, Houston, TX.
