A Musical Adventure with the British American Business Council and the Philadelphia Orchestra
Thursday, February 28, 2019
6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
The Kimmel Center, Philadelphia
Recap
On Thursday, February 28, 2019, the BABCPHL partnered with the Philadelphia Orchestra for a magnificent concert held at Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center. Nearly 50 BABCPHL members and friends gathered for a special behind the scenes tour; meet and greet with musicians; and reserved seats for the concert, featuring special guest, British performer, Benjamin Grosvenor.
BABCPHL President Michael Pedrick started the evening with opening remarks. He introduced us to Orchestra President and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky and Executive Director Ryan Fleur. Geoffrey Cohen, Director of Audience Development for the Philadelphia Orchestra, welcomed our group. He, along with Kayla Delgado-Partridge, Audience Development Manager, led BABCPHL guests on a special behind the scenes tour of the Kimmel Center. We were joined on the tour by cellist Richard Harlow, who provided a great amount of extra information from a musician’s perspective. At one point during the tour, the group got to stand on the stage of Verizon Hall to have the same perspective as the musicians who were performing later that evening. We also got to see some dressing rooms, as well as where the different instruments are stored.
After the tour we returned to the Green Room, where we were introduced to Paul Arnold, one of the violinists in the Orchestra. Paul energetically told the group some information about the pieces of music we would be hearing that evening. After his remarks, Michael thanked the musicians, as well as Geoff and Kayla, for hosting and taking the time to talk with us. BABCPHL guests then had some time to purchase food and drinks before the concert began.
The Philadelphia Orchestra performed three pieces: Haydn’s “Symphony No. 94 in G Major (“Surprise”); Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15”; and Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Op. 60.” British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor was featured in the Piano Concerto. Playing the complicated music with ease, Grosvenor received a standing ovation at the end of the piece. He has been described as “one in a million…several million” by The Independent. At the age of 19, he was invited to perform with the BBC Symphony for the first night of BBC Proms. He has performed all around the world, and in 2011, signed to Decca Classics. He is the youngest British musician ever to sign to the label.
The BABCPHL group had the lucky opportunity to meet with Grosvenor during intermission. He graciously answered questions and posed for a few photos.
The BABCPHL was honored to partner with the Philadelphia Orchestra for an outstanding night of incredible music. Special thanks to the Orchestra for working with us to provide this wonderful opportunity to our members and friends.
Click here for photos.
