One World Symphony News

December 2012

Review by Lucid Culture: An Inspiring Benefit Concert by One World Symphony

“One World Symphony has built a reputation as one of Manhattan’s first-class niche orchestras. Their season is shorter and their programming more diverse than, say, the New York Phil, but with a vintage Ormandy-era Philadelphia Orchestra sheen and heft, they are a mighty beast. To add context, Hong also led the orchestra through his own richly swirling arrangement of the obscure Clara Schumann song Liebst du um Schönheit, sung with potently evocative restraint by mezzo-soprano Adrienne Metzinger.”

Photos above by Adrienne Metzinger and Abigail Wolff

Read the complete review >>

December 2012

One World Symphony’s Benefit Concert for Largest Soup Kitchen in NYC: View Concert Photos

On December 19, 2012, One World Symphony gave a benefit concert for Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, NYC’s largest soup kitchen. The program, added in early December, included a surprise overture of Craig Armstrong’s Love Actually (arranged by Andrew Struck-Marcell), Clara Schumann’s Liebst du um Schönheit (sung by Adrienne Metzinger and arranged by Sung Jin Hong), and Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 1. After the performance, principal bassist Justin Lee and the Robert Page Jazz Trio serenaded the guests and musicians during the post-concert wine reception.

Photos by Adrienne Metzinger

View photos and letters >>

November 2012

Ecstasy: First Official Concert Video

On November 11, 2012, One World Symphony’s debut and sold-out performance at Florence Gould Hall in Manhattan was filmed. The video includes live performances of works by Maurice Ravel, Gustav Holst, and Henri Duparc, and Sung Jin Hong’s The Architect (2012, World Premiere), which was commissioned by The Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York. Bonus footage includes composer-conductor Sung Jin Hong actively engaging the audiences in a surprise sing-along.

Video Footage and Editor: Jim Chan

Watch video>>

November 2012

Review of Ecstasy by Tuxedo Revolt: One World Symphony Makes Music for Humanity

“The Architect (world premiere composition by Sung Jin Hong) definitely took the audience on a complex emotional, and perhaps, spiritual journey as the piece was received with a standing ovation. Through innovative concert programming, to in-concert discussions about what makes the music relate to the concert’s theme, to the intimate spaces in which the orchestra typically performs — make no mistake, One World Symphony is one of New York City’s most liquid, adaptive, and creative orchestras.”

Photos above by Iconography By... Eric and Christopher

Read the complete review>>

November 2012

Sold Out: Ecstasy

On Veterans Day, One World Symphony’s Ecstasy program was sold out at the 370-seat Florence Gould Hall. The fifty-five members of the symphony and featured soloists Courtenay Symonds, Sonya Headlam, and Adrienne Metzinger performed works by Björk, Maurice Ravel, Gustav Holst, Henri Duparc, Clara Schumann, and Amy Beach, and Sung Jin Hong’s world premiere composition The Architect (2012), which was commissioned by The Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of New York in Commemoration of Swami Vivekananda’s 150th birthday.

Swami Yuktatmananda’s introductory remarks included: “I must also acknowledge and thank Artistic Director Sung Jn Hong and all members of One World Symphony for the spirit and courage they have demonstrated to make today’s concert possible. In spite of Hurricane Sandy, throughout the last two weeks, with communication and transportation systems shut down, and its permanent rehearsal and performance space without power, the orchestra was forced again and again to reschedule its own October concert, as well as rehearsals for this concert. It has been a herculean effort, but their steadfast determination to carry forward with this event has been an inspiration.”

Photos by Iconography By... Eric and Christopher

View photos and letters >>

November 2012

One World Symphony reschedules Mad Women and continues its 12-year no-cancellation streak

One World Symphony’s 5th Annual Halloween program — The Return of the Mad Women of Opera — was rescheduled to November 4th, 2012 as a result of Hurricane Sandy. Due to the unwavering spirit and dedication of its musicians, staff, and community, One World Symphony has never cancelled a scheduled program in its 12-year history.

Photos: Adrienne Metzinger

Read more >>

October 2012

Ecstasy Artists discuss Björk, Clara Schumann, Amy Beach and more

On November 11, 3:30 p.m. at Florence Gould Hall in Manhattan, One World Symphony will perform The Planets, The Poem of Ecstasy, Big Time Sensuality, the world premiere of The Architect (2012), and more. Featured artists talk about the program.

Read more >>

October 2012

Mad Women: 5th Annual Halloween program benefits The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®

On October 28 and 29, 2012 at Holy Apostles in New York City, celebrate Halloween by going a little mad... again! One World Symphony presents its popular Mad Women program, featuring personalities no therapist could cure or console: Lulu (Berg), Médée (Cherubini), Butterfly (Puccini), and The Queen of the Night (Mozart). A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.®

Read more >>

October 2012

Carmen Opens to Full House

One World Symphony opened its 12th season to a full house on Monday, September 24, 2012. Photos of Carmen vocalists, musicians, and dancers and audience letters tell the story.

Left and Middle photos: Al Viciedo; right photo: Adrienne Metzinger

View more photos and audience letters> >

September 2012

Flash Mob: Carmen

One World Symphony was invited to perform its first flash mob at Whole Foods in Time Warner Building near Lincoln Center on September 17. With less than two days of preparation, thirty-five musicians including vocalists and instrumentalists gave the shoppers a surprise treat with selections from One World Symphony’s 12th season opener Carmen. As always, One World Symphony shared their passion with all live and unplugged musicians with instruments without any use of pre-recorded music. The video and photos tell the story.

Videos by Nick Johnson

Watch videos and view photos > >

September 2012

Scandals Season Opener: Carmen

On September 23 and 24, 2012, One World Symphony kicks off its twelfth season with George Bizet’s Carmen with Gulnara Mitzaova and Anna Yelizarova in the title role. A team of vocal artists, dancers, chorus, and full symphony is led by composer-conductor Sung Jin Hong.

Read more details > >

September 2012

AfriClassical Features One World Symphony Baritone Shannon De Vine

Shannon De Vine will perform Escamillo in Carmen, One World Symphony’s 12th season opener on Sunday, September 23, 2012. Previously, Mr. De Vine was a featured soloist with One World Symphony as Alfio in Cavalleria Rusticana, Iago in Otello, Valentin in Faust, Count di Luna in Il Trovatore and Marcello in La Bohème and Captain Balstrode in the critically acclaimed and uncut production of Peter Grimes. Upcoming performances include Pietro in Simon Bocccanegra in March with Placido Domingo at Avery Fisher Hall.

Read the feature from AfriClassical > >

June 2012

The NY Examiner Reviews One World Symphony’s Season Finale

“I definitely felt the passion as One World Symphony drives home with a powerful finale with a delivery of such a dynamic programming and vibrant performances. An amazing performance that was propelled forth with real drive and energy. Sung Jin Hong is brilliant and One World Symphony created a complete masterpiece.”

Read the complete review by Antonio Saillant > >

June 2012

One World Symphony Closes its Eleventh Season to a Full House

On May 20, 2012 at Holy Apostles in Manhattan, One World Symphony closed its 11th season to a full house. Audience letters and photos tell the story.

View more photos and audience letters > >

May 2012

Season Finale Gluck collaboration with choreographer Nicole Buggé

One World Symphony closes its 11th season with selections from Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, Paride ed Elena, and Alceste. Nicole Buggé makes her One World Symphony debut presenting original dance choreography. For more information on the featured vocalists and dancers, click here. >>

April 2012

One World Symphony Announces its 2012/2013 Season: Scandals

View the complete 2012/13 season details> >

February 2012

Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen Serenaded on Valentine’s Day

One World Symphony presented a concert for Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen guests, staff, and volunteers. Jazz, string, wind, and full orchestra from One World Symphony performed works by Duke Ellington, William Grant Still, Bach, and Beethoven.

Above photos by Aleksandr Karjaka

Click here for details >>

February 2012

Love Brunch: One World Symphony performs for Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen

On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2012 at 11 a.m. One World Symphony performs for Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen guests and dedicated staff and volunteers. Just three weeks after its sold-out Moonlight program, One World Symphony presents Love Brunch, featuring works by Duke Ellington, William Grant Still, Antonín Dvořák, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Johann Sebastian Bach. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with One World Symphony as it branches out into four ensembles: jazz, wind, string, and full orchestras.

Click here for details >>

February 2012

Praise for a Sold-Out Moonlight

On Sunday, January 22, the same night Giants punched their ticket to the Superbowl, One World Symphony’s Moonlight program was sold out. Audience letters, photos, and a review tell the story: 

“Some selections from Peter Grimes, including Four Sea Interludes, concluded the mesmerizing evening. The third interlude, Moonlight, was beyond moving. Its subtle brooding had a transformative power not unlike one’s first glimpse of moonlight on the ocean. Truly profound…!” — Composers of Sibelius

View more photos, audience letters, and complete review >>

January 2012

WQXR's Olivia Giovetti on One World's Moonlight: "sophisticated, inventive, that reassert this company's allure."

Smaller companies in the country rely just as much on donors as larger companies, and it’s at times a necessary evil that fills in for the state funding and support that benefit European opera companies. But the smaller nature of these players seems to lend itself to a greater opportunity for more risks to be taken and higher audience satisfaction. This month features a particular explosion of works pulled from the realms of the new and neglected. See below for a full, non-Met breakdown and tell us: Will the future of classical music favor smaller companies? Is the current managerial model due for a change?

I’ve discussed the scrappy and sophisticated One World Symphony… it’s inventive programs such as the one scheduled for the Lunar New Year that reassert this company’s allure. Sung Jin Hong presents here works tied to the night and heavens by Britten, Ives, Dvořák, Spohr, Schubert, and Schumann with a dreamy programmatic progression. - Olivia Giovetti

Read entire WQXR feature by Olivia Giovetti >>

January 2012

Wise Guys and Dolls Prohibition Holiday Party

On January 7, 2012, One World Symphony staff and musicians were invited to a five-course dinner prepared by Chef de cuisine Adrienne Metzinger and Sous-chef Sung Jin Hong. The founders of One World Symphony hosted the dinner party for 40 guests in their Brooklyn home to thank them for their contributions and service towards One World Symphony.

View menu and more photos >>

January 2012

Full House: Benefit Concert for Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen

During the busiest week for musicians and audiences and with two weeks of preparation, One World Symphony gave a benefit concert for Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen to a full house, performing Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony and audience sings-alongs Baby It’s Cold Outside and John Lennon’s Happy Xmas. (Photos by David Sauer)

I was really moved by the Beethoven at the holiday benefit. In the first movement, the gentle clarity with which each instrumental voice would lift the melody and then be woven with another created a world of sound that boggled us with Beethoven’s genius. Thank you.

View more photos and audience letters >>