RELEASE: Omaha Symphony Principal Oboe Alexandra Rock shines in Bach’s Concerto for Oboe d’Amore

Maestro Ankush Kumar Bahl leads the Omaha Symphony in first performance back at the Joslyn Art Museum’s Witherspoon Concert Hall
Program features living composer Gabriela Lena Frank as well as works by Elgar, Britten

OMAHA, Neb., September 22, 2021—The Omaha Symphony takes the stage of the Joslyn Art Museum’s Witherspoon Concert Hall for the first time since January 2020 for a diverse program of works for chamber orchestra; though it is the second concert of the Symphony Joslyn series in the 2021/22 season, it is the first performance of the series back in its regular location. The program features principal oboe and long-time member of the Omaha Symphony Alexandra Rock performing Bach’s Concerto for Oboe d’Amore, Strings and Continuo in A Major, a work in the high baroque style. Audiences will also hear a recent work from living American composer Gabriela Lena Frank, as well as chamber orchestra triumphs by English composers Edward Elgar and Benjamin Britten.

Bach and Britten by Bahl will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10 at the Joslyn Art Museum Witherspoon Concert Hall. Ticket holders are invited to arrive early for the Joslyn Art Museum curator-led pre-concert talk which will take place at 1 p.m. and 1:25 p.m.

“I’m so excited to be joining my Omaha Symphony colleagues as a soloist once again,” said Rock. “The oboe d’amore is an instrument that is not often featured, but it’s a perfect choice for this chamber orchestra setting. The first and third movements showcase its lively, dance-like character and its unique vocal quality adds beauty and expression to the melancholy larghetto of the second movement.”

The feature is flanked by three vastly different works that are all triumphs for small orchestra: first is Leyendas, a 2001 work from one of the most prominent living female composers working today, Gabriela Lena Frank. The program concludes with two English works: the lush Serenade for Strings by Elgar, and Britten’s 20th century stunner Simple Symphony.

Performance Details:

Sunday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m.
Joslyn Art Museum Witherspoon Concert Hall
Pre-concert talk at 1 and 1:25 p.m.

Ankush Kumar Bahl, conductor
Alexandra Rock, oboe d’amore

GABRIELA LENA FRANK: Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout for Strings
BACH: Concerto for Oboe d'amore in A Major, BWV 1055
ELGAR: Serenade for Strings
BRITTEN: Simple Symphony, Op. 4

About Alexandra Rock

Originally from upstate New York, Alexandra Rock began her oboe studies at the Eastman School of Music at age 14. After receiving her Bachelor of Music from Ithaca College, she joined the Orquesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico, in Toluca, Mexico. Ms. Rock joined the Omaha Symphony in 1983 and is currently Principal Oboist. She has appeared as soloist with the Omaha Symphony on several occasions, including performances of works by Bach, Honegger, Marcello, Albinoni and Leon Goossens. Ms. Rock is a featured soloist on “Stardust,” an award-winning CD of lullabies for children by Cher and Gene Klosner. She enjoys playing chamber music, having performed with the Omaha Chamber Music Society and on several Omaha Symphony Chamber Music programs. Ms. Rock has been on the faculties of Nebraska Wesleyan University and Dana College and maintains a small studio of private oboe students. She has two wonderful daughters, Jane and Catherine.

About Ankush Kumar Bahl

Ankush Kumar Bahl is currently the 13th Music Director in the Omaha Symphony's 100-year history. He is recognized today by orchestras and audiences alike for his impressive conducting technique, thoughtful interpretations, and engaging podium presence. In concert, he has left The Washington Post “wanting to hear more” and has been praised by The New York Times for his “clear authority and enthusiasm” and ability to “inspire.” His recent guest conducting highlights include performances with the New York Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Orchestre National de France, and the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de México, the Richmond Symphony, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra (Washington, D.C.) Summer festival engagements include the Copenhagen Philharmonic at Tivoli, the Sun Valley Summer Symphony, the Wintergreen Summer Music Festival, the Chautauqua Institute, and at Wolf Trap with the NSO.

A protégé of former New York Philharmonic Music Director Kurt Masur, Bahl served as his assistant conductor at the Orchestre National de France from 2008-2011. From 2011-2015, he served as the assistant conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. In addition to Maestro Masur, Bahl is fortunate to count Jaap van Zweden, Zdenek Macal, Christoph Eschenbach, David Zinman and Gianandrea Noseda among his mentors.

Ticketing Information

Tickets for Bach and Britten by Bahl start at $35. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.omahasymphony.org, through the Ticket Omaha app, or by calling Ticket Omaha at 402.345.0606. Student rush tickets are $10 and can be purchased one hour before the performance. Performance dates are subject to change. In the event of performance changes or cancellations, the Omaha Symphony will email ticket holders to inform them of new dates and ticketing options. Patrons with questions may email ticketomaha@o-pa.org. The Omaha Symphony also regularly posts performance updates at omahasymphony.org, along with the Omaha Symphony’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages. Patrons can sign up for the latest updates at omahasymphony.org.

Public Health Information

The safety of our patrons, musicians, staff, and community is the Omaha Symphony’s priority. The Omaha Symphony continues to work closely with the Douglas County Department of Health and our partners at Omaha Performing Arts and UNMC to ensure the safety of all involved in the Omaha Symphony’s return to live performances. All patrons will be required to complete a health screening questionnaire prior to accessing their mobile tickets via the Ticket Omaha app. Masks are required at indoor Omaha Symphony performances.

Find the most up-to-date public health information at omahasymphony.org/public-health.

The Omaha Symphony is a non-profit organization that presents more than 100 live orchestral performances from September through June. In addition to Masterworks, Symphony Pops, Symphony Rocks, Movies, Symphony Joslyn, and Family series concerts, the Omaha Symphony’s nationally recognized education and community engagement programs touch the lives of more than 40,000 people each year. For tickets or information regarding the Omaha Symphony, call 402-345-0606 or visit omahasymphony.org. Programs, artists, dates, times, prices, and availability are subject to change.

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