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Alabama Symphony Orchestra on Tour
Although it was officially founded in 1933, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra's genesis actually came in 1921, when a 52-member volunteer ensemble got together to perform at the Birmingham Music Festival at the Old Jefferson Theater. It was a rocky road going forward, but the group have consistently been thought of as one of the most exciting orchestras in the Southeast.
In 1933 under the baton of Dorsey Whittington, the ensemble gave their first formal concert to the Birmingham Music Club, and later that year consolidated as the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Within a few years, the group had over 80 players and a budget of almost half a million dollars. They even performed with famed composer and pianist Percy Grainger in 1939. Continually growing, the organization started offering public concerts in Avondale Park on Sunday afternoons. The advent of World War II temporarily halted the orchestra's development, but after the war ended, they started up again when the Civic Symphony Association assembled a task force to revitalize an orchestra for the growing city. Changing its name to the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 1956, the ensemble finally became a fully professional orchestra, even establishing an official youth orchestra. They continued to expand steadily, offering new kinds of concerts and thriving under the leadership of talented and established conductors. In 1966, the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra received a grant from the Ford Foundation for $600,000 on the condition that the group matched that sum; they did, and quickly.
In 1979, the BSO became the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, starting up a regular subscription series and expanding their audience base. The ASO struggled financially in the ‘80s but managed to stay afloat with help from fundraisers and high-profile concerts: They did a special annual fund concert with esteemed violinist Isaac Stern, they performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and they teamed up with renowned American mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne for a concert at the University of Alabama. They also started a number of new summer series, including Beethoven, Brats and Beer. The orchestra went bankrupt in 1993, and it since has reverted to a volunteer organization. You can catch the Alabama Symphony Orchestra with music director Carlos Izcaray at Samford University Wright Center, UAB's Alys Stephens Center or BJCC Concert Hall in Birmingham, Alabama.
Have not missed an ASO Christmas Concert ever. This one hit all the high notes, so to speak, a perfect mix of orchestra, the ASO choir, and just enough solo performances. It ended way too soon!
Great holiday concert with plenty of energy and musical selections. Mistro’s comments are always informative and sometimes comical bringing frequent laughs. The quests were very talented ladies everyone enjoys to see & hear. My only criticism of an otherwise wonderful and most enjoyable evening’s performance was the ongoing terrible parking situation at the Legacy Arena. Adding a ridiculous $20 parking charge makes attending the events out of possibility for many of us on fixed incomes.
The program, orchestra, chorus, soloist, storyteller, and conductor were all outstanding. Really put us in the Christmas spirit.
Excellent Program, which it was longer so more music and songs of the season could be enjoyed.
The symphony was outstanding as were the singers and presentation as they actually looked and sounded like the Beatles! I also enjoyed the tribute by the symphony to the Ukrainian people by playing the song by the Ukrainian composer truly beautiful and heart wrenching.
We enjoyed the show, but the symphony sound seemed muted. I was somewhat disappointed with the group performing the Beatles music. It’s just hard to try to imitate such great original singers as the Beatles.
Wonderful show, wonderful venue, exceptional staff. I’ve never been disappointed at an event at the Alabama Theater.
First of all, this was my first back at the Alabama Theatre in many years. It brought back a lot of memories from my early childhood and teen years. I attended many performances of the Mickey Mouse Club there. That was the first theatre I attended on my first date with my late husband. We were both 15 years old and had to ride the streetcar downtown. I was absolutely thrilled by the Music and the group. The Mysterious Tour band was outstanding in their performance of BEATLES songs. I would go back again to hear them and the Alabama Symphony. There isn't a Symphony any better than the Symphony we have ln Alabama.
The 3 ladies & 1 man in front must have arrived from the favorite drinking hole and walked in with their latest drink. They were always talking and giggling while holding their cell phones up blocking our POOR VIEW, then the young couple
Disappointing performance. They attempted to sing many Beatles classics and were way off the mark. The ASO added little to the performance. We left at intermission rather than to be further assaulted.
To tell you the truth, I thought the inclusion of the 'minor' music was challenging my brain to think how the music was 'moving'. The inclusion of "Frozen" music was, for an older adult, was musically accepted for this season of the year, and the music selection of the Nutcracker was beautiful. After years of my daughters involvement with the 'Nutcracker', I had forgotten this section of the suite. This was my daughters favorite part of the suite since she was the 'rat king' in many of her dance company's performan-ces. Very enjoyable evening.
The Symphony Orchestra performance was fantastic! We absolutely enjoyed it. When we purchased tickets online, the event information indicated the performance was from 7-11. So we were wondering if we would stay the full 4 hrs. However, it was only two hours including the intermission. We were guessing that the four hour indicator was likely a deterrent for many given that attendance for the event was disappointing. The house should have been packed! They were wonderful! And we will do it again next year for sure. I would highly recommend that someone ensures the event information is accurate. I think this mistake likely cost someone a lot of money. Most people are not going to spend the money to go sit for 4 hours if they don’t know what to expect. I really believe that if the information had indicated 7-9 as it actually was, there would have been a sold out event. And these performers deserve a packed house.
From the start to the end, what a fantastic show!! I was so happy to finally return to something that seemed almost like normal. The conductor Christopher Confessor lead the event in a light hearted fashion that was enjoyable and put everyone in the Christmas spirit.
We enjoyed the ASO holiday concert a lot. The conductor was awesome, very convivial with a great sense of humor. The interpretation of holiday classics was unique and the acoustic was awesome. Time flew too fast during this performance. We will go back next year and possibly make it a yearly tradition.
this would have been better at alys stephens center
Video games live was a great experience for me and my wife. It was as good as the final fantasy distant world concert we had gone to some 8 yrs ago in Atlanta. Can't wait to go again!
Absolutely incredible experience. I’ll definitely be going back to the ASO.
I enjoyed the entire show at the BJCC. The first part performed by the ASO was what I expected. I have enjoyed the ASO since I was a child. Their segment was both exciting and soothing. The second portion of the evening featuring The Four Tops was amazing. I have not seen them perform in a few years, so I didn't know exactly what to expect. They were energetic and fun to watch. I found myself singing along with them. I still knew most of the words to their hit recordings. Even though the lead singer was great , I did miss the previous lead singer, Theo Peoples, who performed with them a few years ago.
My wife & I shared dinner and a concert to celebrate Valentine's Day. We were entertained by The Four Tops, who were backed up by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Together, they sounded fantastic!!! Perhaps I am "old school", but I am still a fan of musical harmony by a group who dresses alike and choreographs their movements.
The Pops Symphony did a great job with their songs leading up to the Four Tops and produced a great accompaniment, at one point the saxophonist came out to play a song, which was really cool. The Four Tops put on a great show with their familiar tunes and the lead singer, though not original to the group was terrific! What a voice and showmanship he had. Two things struck me: - their deep appreciation to the audience; they thanked them several times and named family members in the auditorium - their humbleness; several times they paid tribute to the three members who had passed away and pointed out their talents and how much they were missed The audience was energized singing along, clapping and swinging to the beat. I know this was a gray-headed fan base and I was one of them, but it was great to be there to see such talent. This group clearly showed class: matching sequined tuxedos, no vulgar language or dance moves - just vintage fun and remembering where they came from.