We can still listen to The Florida Orchestra together, even when we can’t sit in the same concert hall. You don’t even have to leave your couch. TFO will share live recordings of select Masterworks concerts for free on Classical WSMR 89.1 and 103.9 FM radio and online at WSMR.org, thanks to our partnership with the station.
Recordings of 13 full concerts will keep the music going at 7 pm Thursdays starting March 26, with Music Director Michael Francis conducting this season’s Opening Night performance of Gershwin, Grieg, Ravel and more. Continuing through June 11, the broadcasts will be a mix of recordings from this season and TFO’s archives. If you miss a broadcast, you can listen on-demand at WSMR.org for one month after the airdate.
Please join us for some of the most powerful moments from our Tampa Bay Times Masterworks series –a gift to our community in conjunction with WUSF Public Media and Classical WSMR radio. The broadcasts also are made possible by the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and Jay’s Fabric Center. Special thank you to the Florida Orchestra Musicians Association and to the American Federation of Musicians Local 427-721 for making these recordings possible.
This is the third year we are offering live recordings, but the sentiment is stronger than ever, since our live concerts have been canceled through at least April 5 to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus (covid-19). We hope these recorded performances will lift you up and bring a sense of comfort when you need it most, no matter where you are in the world.
The first broadcast on March 26 includes Grieg’s Piano Concerto with Aldo Lopez-Gavilan, Ravel’s Bolero, Gershwin’s Cuban Overture, Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3 and Mason Bates’ Mothership. Full concerts have been recorded live all season long at the Straz Center in Tampa, the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, and Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. Look for a full schedule soon at FloridaOrchestra.org.
As you listen to the music, please remember that in these challenging times The Florida Orchestra needs your support more than ever. Ticket sales provide about 40 percent of our operating budget, so each week that TFO cannot perform significantly impacts your orchestra.
If you have already made a gift to TFO, you have our heartfelt gratitude. If you are in a position to help, please consider the role extraordinary live music plays in your life and support your Florida Orchestra with a gift of any amount today. Thank you.
Please don’t forget our partners at WUSF Public Media and Classical WSMR, Tampa Bay’s only classical radio station. WUSF Public Media is a comprehensive organization that is working hard to keep Tampa Bay informed with trusted information during this crisis.
