West Virginia Symphony Orchestra conductor Maurice Cohn acknowledged that he maybe wasn’t first in line when singer Judy Collins released any of her big records.
The 29-year-old wasn’t around when “Wildflowers,†“Who Knows Where The Time Goes,†or “Judith,†which featured the singer’s best known hit, “Send in the Clowns,†were released.
“Nevertheless, I’m a huge fan,†he said, and he is looking forward to the symphony’s show with “Mountain Stage,†which will include a guest appearance by Collins.
The show is going to be a lot different than the usual classical concert, but Cohn said he and the symphony can handle it.
“It’s going to be a huge amount of fun — and also a great way to feature the real variety of music styles that are present in the orchestra,†he said.
The musicians in the symphony are typically best known for their work with orchestras, but it’s not all they do.
“We have members of the orchestra who play all kinds of music,†Cohn said. “David Porter, our principal trumpet, who is just incredible, plays all kinds of jazz, folk — just tons of stuff.â€
There’s a lot of range to show off and sure, pairing the eclectic styles that make up a “Mountain Stage†taping with the symphony would create some interesting results.
Cohn didn’t know what they’d get, but he was convinced it would be magical.
The next few weeks will be a bit of a whirlwind for the freshman conductor and music director for the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Along with leading the orchestra through the “Mountain Stage†show, Cohn will also be at the podium for “Sounds of the Season†Dec. 1 at Carnegie Hall and Dec. 2 at the Clay Center.
He’s also conducting the symphony for its annual collaboration with ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Ballet for “The Nutcracker†on Dec. 8 and 9.
“Sounds of the Season†is a crowd pleaser and full of holiday favorites.
The ballet is another challenge. It’s not just working with an orchestra. It’s working with dancers.
“Ballet is a fascinating thing,†he said. “You know, I love the connection. There are so many moving parts. I mean, figuratively and literally. It’s hard to describe, but there’s a kind of magic when you’re trying to do something that is really difficult, and you have to make a lot of very small, technical decisions in order to get it right.â€
Cohn said the trick is to keep adjusting until you find a groove, and then everything just lines up.
He is looking forward to all of it, plus whatever else might come up.
By now, Cohn has been with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra for about six months. He divides his time between ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä and Dallas.
There has been a lot of back and forth, but his experiences in West Virginia have been good. He’s had a chance to explore the state some, take in the scenery and visit the new national park.
“It’s just so amazing,†he said. “I’ve done that and taken a few scenic drives.â€
The state is very beautiful, Cohn said.
And the people have been good to him and to the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
“Just the depth and number of people in the community who care about the symphony has been so affirming,†he said.
So many people work behind the scenes to put everything together. So much effort and energy go into creating the community. The conductor called it inspiring.
Cohn’s first season with the symphony was planned ahead of when he even interviewed for the job. He’s been working on his program almost since the day he started. Cohn said it was coming together.
“One of the reasons we start so early is that when it comes to guest soloists, you’re hoping to bring out an audience,†he said.
Performers of renown draw a crowd.
“But they’re all over the place,†he said. “They’re with different ensembles and playing with other orchestras and stuff.â€
So, it’s juggling a lot of schedules to find matches of time, place and music.
“We got a really good early start on that process,†Cohn said.
And many of the potential guest soloists have responded positively. Much of that, he thought, was because of the reputation of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Musicians want to perform with them.
Cohn said, “I’m very pleased with how that’s going.â€
He is in a good place. The symphony is in a good place, and he looks forward to the upcoming year.
