On Saturday, July 17, British-born conductor Nicholas McGegan will take the Cleveland Orchestra back to the 18th century when he conducts the ensemble in Handel’s ‘Concerto Grosso No. 1’ and the Suite from ‘Music for the Royal Fireworks’, and collaborates with violinist Peter Otto in Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons’. Dubbed ‘The Energizer Bunny’ by the Plain Dealer, McGegan was indeed full of energy, even at 9:30 in the morning, when we reached him by phone in ...

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Canadian Brass turns 40 this year – middle age for a human being, but venerable for a touring ensemble. Tubist Chuck Daellenbach founded the group in 1970 with trumpeter Stuart Laughton and trombonist Eugene Watts. One of the first groups to actively develop the practice of audience engagement during concerts, Canadian Brass is still going strong.   Trumpeter Brandon Ridenour was the youngest player in the group’s history when he joined in 2006 at the age of 20. We reached both ...

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