by Kory Loucks

HSO Maestro Edward Cumming says farewell with Saturday concert

HARTFORD — It is with mixed emotions that Edward Cumming approaches his final performance as Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s music director on Saturday.

“It’s alternately exciting and anxiety producing,” Cumming said.

Anxiety in part because it will mark the start of a uncharted chapter in his professional life and exciting because the ambitious last performance will be like nothing he has done before.

“It is a crossroads in my career,” Cumming said. “I love performing and I love teaching. The older I get I find that I am more like my teachers. … Teaching is a natural thing for me.”

Cumming has much to be proud of in his 9-year tenure with the orchestra, and says he is most pleased with how the musicians are playing now, as he prepares to take his final bow.

Most thrilling moments

It “was one of the most thrilling moments,” Cumming said of the orchestra’s May 19 performance of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. “They played like angels. It was very satisfying.”

Former HSO president and board member Kenneth Jacobson agreed with Cumming’s assessment of the orchestra’s performance of the Tchaikovsky symphony.

“He brought a structural grandness that I really hadn’t heard before,” Jacobson said.

“Edward made it a musical event without loosing the emotional component. He made me aware of how great a piece of music it is. And he has done that again and again,” Jacobson said.

“When I think of Edward, I just think of the wonderful music he has brought to us,” Jacobson said.

Cumming said other artistic highlights for him include the Richard Rodgers Review Pops! Concert with the Hartt School of Music and orchestra in May.

Cumming promised the finale on Saturday would be something special.

“No one has seen anything like this before,” Cumming said, adding that the audience will be “surrounded by players.”

“Enthusiasm and warmth”

Jacobson has known Cumming from the start, when he was on the selection committee that chose Cumming more than nine years ago to lead the HSO.

“We were very taken by his enthusiasm, his warmth, and his love of music,” Jacobson said of his first impressions that have remained unaltered through the years.

“I like Edward very, very much,” Jacobson said. “I am going to miss him. Many people are going to miss him. He brings a lot to the table.”

One popular draw is Cumming’s pre-concert talks, which have always been well attended.

“Edward has kept them very informal,” he said, adding that the pre-concert talks are a way to connect the music with the audience.

“Edward has really pushed the orchestra and really made them stretch,” Jacobson said, “and they are playing better now than they ever have.”

Jacobson said one of his fondest memories was the Joseph Mahler’s 9th Symphony that the orchestra performed a few years ago.

“It is an extremely difficult piece. It was an astounding accomplishment,” Jacobson said. “This was a world-class performance.”

Jacobson said that despite Cumming’s adventurous programming he hasn’t driven away audiences.

“Edward has been extremely successful in bringing in new music while keeping the audiences coming,” Jacobson said.

“His love for music — his passion is contagious. I hope Edward will come back to guest conduct.”

Even with the difficult economic times, Jacobson said, ticket sales have been strong in the last few years.

“We are running close to capacity,” Jacobson said.

HSO’s next conductor and musical director-designate is Carolyn Kuan, a decision that Cumming supported, saying Kuan would have been his choice.

Bringing in a new conductor about every decade is something that is important for a regional orchestra, Jacobson said.

“We are going to miss Edward terribly,” Jacobson said, “but to his credit he has brought this orchestra to a level that Carolyn Kuan can step in and carry on. We are extremely fortunate to have such talented musicians.”

Grand finale concert Saturday

The grand finale concert is at 8 p.m. in Mortensen Hall at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.

This celebratory performance will feature the combined vocal forces of The Hartford Chorale, CONCORA, and Connecticut Children’s Chorus, along with soloists Jessica Winn and Steven Tharp.

Hector Berlioz’s “Te Deum” and the American premiere of Stephen Montague’s “Requiem: The Trumpets Sounded Calling Them to the Other Side” will be played on the Bushnell’s original Hartford-made Austin organ.

Prior to the concert, Cumming will lead a discussion from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., when Montague will join him to discuss the program. Cumming will also share concluding remarks on his nine seasons with HSO.

After the concert, audience members will be invited to the lobby for a special meet-and-greet with Cumming.

Tickets range in price from $33 to $65; student tickets are $10. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 860-244-2999 or visit:

www.hartfordsymphony.org