Albany Symphony Orchestra

I am a great fan of the Albany Symphony. For a small city, this is an impressive group of musicians. Concerts are quite enjoyable, practical (free parking in the garage next to 677 Broadway), and well-​performed – most take place at Albany’s Palace Theater. Check out the program and you’ll find a fairly impressive group of featured solo instrumentalists. The people in the box office are very kind and accommodating. The Orchestra has even won a Grammy award recently, for a recording they put out on the Naxos label of contemporary composer John Corigliano’s Conjurer. Performances almost always include one or two contemporary pieces, then something from the Classical or Romantic periods. I’ve seen great performances of Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, and more (can you tell I’m a fan of the Romantics?), and I am greatly appreciative to have the chance to do so right here in my hometown. Contemporary pieces – I find – are hit or miss, though I suppose this is a matter of taste, and not really too much to do with the Orchestra itself. Another strength of the ASO is its involvement in the local music education scene; Miller tries to get to many local schools to do demonstrations and generate interest among young people in high art.