MANSFIELD – Conventionally, one could describe a “bohemian soul” as someone who is “socially unconventional in an artistic way.”
That definition is a little too constraining for Octavio Más-Arocas – who perhaps embodies the very definition itself.
Más-Arocas will be leading the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, and in turn the audience at the Renaissance Theatre, through an exploration of its meaning with the opening concert of the 2019-2020 OhioHealth Symphony Series, aptly named “Bohemian Souls.”
“The word ‘Bohemian’ is the artist that is in their own world, very artistic and don’t follow the rules. That’s a little bit what musicians identify as bohemian,” Más-Arocas said. “Another meaning is being from the bohemian region, the Czech Republic. And another meaning is Spanish people are always considered very wild and artistic.
“The Bohemian soul is connecting all these different themes.”
How, you might ask? Let’s explain.
The start of the concert is a new work from living composer, Missy Mazolli, titled Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres).
“It’s a piece that churns and roils, that inches close to the listener only to leap away at breakneck speed, in the process transforming the ensemble turns into a makeshift hurdy-gurdy, flung recklessly into space,” Mazolli has stated about the work.
For Más-Arocas, it was important to bring the work of a living composer to the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra – and a female one, at that.
“That relates again to the bohemian soul, a female composer breaking boundaries,” he said. “It’s not a long piece, but it’s about time in Mansfield we start recognizing that.”
The second piece of concert will be Tchaikovsky’s famous Violin Concert performed by violin virtuoso Francisco Fullana. Spanish-born violinist Fullana has been hailed as a “rising star” (BBC Music Magazine), an “amazing talent” (conductor Gustavo Dudamel) and “a paragon of delicacy” (San Francisco Classical Voice).
Fullana also shares a heritage with Más-Arocas as a Spanish bohemian soul. The two met for the first time as students playing the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, and have periodically kept in touch over the years.
“I worked with him while he played in orchestra, but not as a soloist,” Más-Arocas said. “This is special to come back together after many years. He has developed a really great career in the last few years. We’re very lucky to have him.”
Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concert, one of the most well-known concertos very written, is a “beautiful and challenging” piece of work, according to Más-Arocas. It also pairs nicely with the finale of the concert, Dvořák ‘s Symphony No. 8.
Composed in honor of Dvořák’s election into the Bohemian Academy of Science, Literature and Arts, Symphony No. 8 is cheery and lyrical and draws its inspiration more from the bohemian folk music that Dvořák loved growing up in the Czech Republic.
“It has a lot of gypsy themes and popular themes that even in that region were related to the bohemian soul,” Más-Arocas said. “It’s very optimistic and very melodic, and people will recognize those themes.”
The Symphony will also be offering an innovative, even more immersive experience at this concert thanks to a sponsorship from OhioHealth. During the performance, live commentary of Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres) will be broadcast through the Renaissance app, the goal being to enhance the performance by forging an emotional bond between the audience and the performers.
According to Holly Williams, director of marketing and communications at the Renaissance, the notes will be written by music historian Mark Sebastian Jordan and will include descriptive pictures.
“During the Mazolli piece these notes will be pushed through the app for patrons to enjoy with the music,” Williams explained. “With Sinfonia being a new work by a living composer, most patrons will be unfamiliar with it. Through the app they will be able to understand the ‘whys’ of what they are hearing.”
If you’re wondering whether it’s permissible to use your phone during a concert, don’t worry – the conductor himself encourages it.
“Everybody has phones to communicate, to buy things, to see things – everything they use in their life to make their experience better,” Más-Arocas said. “We should just embrace that, to let people bring something that’s part of their daily life and helps them enhance the experience.”
The Mansfield Symphony Orchestra’s season will open with “Bohemian Souls” on Saturday, Sept, 21 at 8 p.m. at the Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield. Tickets are on sale now for this concert at the Renaissance Box Office, via phone at (419) 522-2726, and online at RenTickets.Org. The Mansfield Symphony’s “Bohemian Souls” concert is presented in part thanks to funding from the Ohio Arts Council.
“I get excited about everything and every concert. Every piece we play there is very exciting,” Más-Arocas said. “Having an orchestra in a community we have, sharing the music with everyone and bringing all the elements we’re bringing, to me it’s very exciting. It’s the sense of creating something special with the community, and to share that with everyone.”
This story is brought to you in part by the Renaissance Theater. For more information on upcoming shows, visit www.rentickets.org.
Tickets are on sale now for this concert at the Renaissance Box Office, via phone at (419) 522-2726, and online at RenTickets.Org. Full-price tickets range from $15 to $40.
Enjoy two tickets, two glasses of wine, and local chocolates with our Date Night tickets! A $110 value for only $75.
A limited number of $50 Family Four Pack tickets as well as $10 student tickets are also available for this event only by visiting or calling the Renaissance Box Office.
At 7 p.m. come hear music historian Mark Sebastian Jordan in “Symphony Chat” on the second-floor ballroom of the Renaissance Theatre.
Sponsored by RFME Insurance, the popular free pre-show event offers insights to the program, stories about the pieces and the composers, as well as highlights of significant moments in the repertoire. Free hors d’oeuvres from Arby’s on Park Avenue and reduced-price beverages will be served. Seating is limited.
