Being neighborly, orchestra takes its music to the people

It has been well over a year since the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra moved back home to the renovated Robinson Center Performance Hall, but vestiges of that transitional period still exist, most notably in the Intimate Neighborhood Concerts series.

The series, which started in January 2013, features a smaller orchestral ensemble performing in different venues of 400-500 people as opposed to Robinson's 2,200.

ASO Chief Executive Officer Christina Littlejohn explains there were several reasons behind the creation of the series. While Robinson was closed, the orchestra wanted to keep its connection with the community and to build even closer bridges between the orchestra and the audience.

"One of our thoughts was if we could actually get into those neighborhoods" Littlejohn says. "How do we perform in neighborhoods where people are?"

Tonight, the series moves to Calvary Baptist Church, 5700 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, for "Picture Perfect." The ensemble, joined by soprano Keely Futterer and conducted by Philip Mann, will present Trittico Botticelliano P. 151 by Ottorino Respighi, Knoxville: Summer of 1915 Op. 24 by Samuel Barber and Much Ado About Nothing Op. 11: Suite by Erich Wolfgang Korngold.

"It's more chamber music as opposed to full orchestra," Littlejohn says. "It's a very nice place to hear the chamber orchestra perform. It's like you can feel every note as it's played. You can see all the musicians. The music just flows over you. It's delightful."

The more intimate space and smaller instrumentation also opens the door to another world when it comes to repertoire. Some pieces really are more suited to smaller venues and different acoustics.

For instance, Littlejohn says, an earlier concert highlighted the bass, an instrument that's so deep its sound doesn't carry well in a big concert hall. But in a venue of about 400, it's perfect.

It's a similar situation for the tuba, and this season's final concert May 3 will include Jan Koetsier's Concertino for Tuba and String Orchestra, highlighting the skills of tuba player Ed Owen.

"We're probably not going to do tuba in a regular Masterworks concert. Tchaikovsky did not write anything for tuba and orchestra," she says. "But there is a piece and so it gives us a chance to feature our musicians."

The setup of the concerts encourages more interaction between musicians and music lovers.

"Sometimes we'll take a pause and ask some of the musicians to go into the audience and say hi and answer any questions," Littlejohn says. "We really try to play up the intimate, 'get to know you' experience."

There's also the benefit of making it more accessible for audiences. Some people may feel intimidated by downtown parking or the massive Robinson space. When it's in their church or their neighborhood, they're more likely to feel comfortable making the trek.

Each concert has a different venue and, so far, they've all been in churches, as those are the most likely to have spaces the appropriate size.

Littlejohn says that while some churches are capable of seating about 2,000 people, that's not what ASO wants. It wants the intimacy of the 400-500 capacity. The remaining venues for the season (Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on March 8 and St. James United Methodist Church on May 3) fit the bill.

Even though the ASO is back in Robinson, Littlejohn says the popularity of the series keeps it going: "This is the best place to be after a stressful day. The music is just breathtaking, relaxing, inspiring.

"It makes the paperwork of life worthwhile."

Weekend on 01/18/2018