Review: Plain Dealer hails ‘all-Brett Mitchell weekend at Severance Hall’

Brett Mitchell leads The Cleveland Orchestra in his last-minute subscription debut at Severance Hall on Friday, March 7. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

CLEVELAND — The Plain Dealer has released full coverage of Brett Mitchell's three-program weekend at Severance Hall.

Cleveland Orchestra assistant conductor Brett Mitchell capped an unexpectedly eventful weekend at Severance Hall with a fine concert by the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra and Chorus Sunday night.

The previous two nights, Mitchell stood in for Franz Welser-Möst, who was indisposed by illness, and led subscription concerts that included works by Sibelius and various Strausses, as well as Benjamin Britten's sprawling Spring Symphony and a new work by Ryan Wigglesworth, not to mention a star turn by pianist Rudolf Buchbinder in Rachmaninoff's 'Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.'

As if that weren’t enough, there were scheduled rehearsals for Sunday night's COYO concert, which featured repertoire just as varied. The conductor, however, evidenced no signs of fatigue as he came onstage Sunday.

To read the complete review, please click here.

Review: Brett Mitchell ‘hits a home run’ in last-minute Cleveland Orchestra debut

Brett Mitchell leads The Cleveland Orchestra in his last-minute subscription debut at Severance Hall on Friday, March 7. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

CLEVELAND — Cultured Cleveland has published a review of Brett Mitchell’s last-minute subscription debut with The Cleveland Orchestra on Friday, March 7:

Rudolph Buchbinder was his usual brilliant self playing Rachmaninoff on Friday night. But the star of the show was the Cleveland Orchestra’s assistant conductor, Brett Mitchell. Like a pinch-hitter in baseball, Mitchell has to be prepared to step up to the plate every week, though he rarely gets the call. When Franz Welser-Möst phoned in sick on Friday afternoon, it was Mitchell’s time to shine.

Which he did immediately with Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. This is a piece that can become heavy and schmaltzy, and almost always does. The audience fixates on the familiar melody in the 18th variation, and if it gushes, everybody goes home happy. Mitchell took the opposite tack, starting with a light, agile sound that complemented the dramatic piano lines, providing a buoyant backdrop that didn’t get in the way. He stayed just shy of sentimental in the melody, letting it swell but keeping it clean and crisp, never overwhelming the soloist.

The abbreviated Friday program offered a brief nod to the Richard Strauss anniversary year, the composer’s 1888 tone poem Don Juan. Mitchell offered a brisk, lively reading… polished and bright… showing fine control of the orchestra.

And a quick follow-up from the other Strauss – Johann Jr. – was effervescent, brimming with gaiety and charm. The waltz From the Mountains sounded anything but clichéd, flush with warm tones, sharp percussion, burnished horns and a champagne brio. The brief pauses, a trademark of Strauss waltzes, were clear and precise, putting a fine edge on the whirling melodies. A closing Czárdás opened with a witty gasp from the violins, then set off on a free-spirited romp, galloping to a snappy finish.

A last-minute sub had just hit a home run.

To read the complete review, please click here.

BREAKING: Brett Mitchell returns to Cleveland Orchestra podium tonight

Brett Mitchell leads The Cleveland Orchestra in his last-minute subscription debut at Severance Hall on Friday, March 7. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)

CLEVELAND — Brett Mitchell will again lead The Cleveland Orchestra on this evening's Severance Hall concert, following his subscription debut last night as a last-minute substitute for music director Franz Welser-Möst. This evening’s repertoire:

SIBELIUS - Lemminkäinen's Return
RACHMANINOFF - Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
   Rudolf Buchbinder, piano
RYAN WIGGLESWORTH - Locke’s Theatre (U.S. premiere)
BRITTEN - Spring Symphony
   Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and Children’s Chorus
   Kate Royal, soprano
   Jamie Barton, mezzo-soprano
   John Tessier, tenor

BREAKING: Brett Mitchell to step in at this evening's Cleveland Orchestra concert

CLEVELAND — Brett Mitchell will step in for an ailing Franz Welser-Möst‎ to conduct this evening's Cleveland Orchestra subscription performance with the following program.

RACHMANINOFF - Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
   Rudolf Buchbinder, piano
R. STRAUSS - Don Juan
J. STRAUSS Jr. - Aus Den Bergen
J. STRAUSS Jr. - Csárdás‎ from Ritter Pázmán

This program marks Mr. Mitchell's subscription debut with The Cleveland Orchestra.

Brett Mitchell appointed Assistant Conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Orchestra announced today the appointment of Brett Mitchell as Assistant Conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra and Music Director of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. The appointment is for a two-year term. Appointed by Franz Welser-Möst, Mr. Mitchell joins the Orchestra’s conducting staff in September, at the beginning of the 2013-14 season at Severance Hall. 

As Assistant Conductor, Brett Mitchell will serve as cover conductor for Severance Hall and Blossom Music Festival subscription concerts, and provide assistance to Music Director Franz Welser-Möst. As Assistant Conductor, he will hold the Elizabeth Ring and William Gwinn Mather Chair.  

As Music Director of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, Brett Mitchell will participate in artistic planning, select personnel for the ensemble, and conduct rehearsals and performances of the Youth Orchestra. The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, currently in its 27th season, is a full, 100-member symphony orchestra of middle- and high-school-aged musicians from northern and central Ohio and western Pennsylvania who are coached by musicians of The Cleveland Orchestra. Founded in 1986, the Youth Orchestra provides talented young musicians with a pre-professional orchestra training experience of the highest artistic standard. The Youth Orchestra performs three concerts in Severance Hall each season, as well as three orchestra concerts in the community and several performances by its chamber groups throughout the region.

For complete details, please see this article in The Plain Dealer: "Cleveland Orchestra appoints Brett Mitchell assistant conductor".

Contract extension with the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra

Brett Mitchell leads the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra in performance at the Temple Theatre. (Photo by Deborah Besanson)

SAGINAW — The Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra has extended Brett Mitchell's initial contract as music director for an additional three seasons, taking their collaboration through the 2015-16 season.

Mitchell has been music director of the SBSO since July 2010.

For more on this story, please click here.

Brett Mitchell named Music Director of the Moores Opera Center

HOUSTON — After serving as guest conductor for five productions over the past three seasons, the Moores Opera Center in Houston has just appointed Brett Mitchell as Music Director, effective September 2012.

Mitchell will lead the company in up to four fully staged works each season throughout his initial three-year contract.

Mitchell will also serve as Assistant Professor on the Moores School of Music faculty at the University of Houston throughout this appointment.

Contract extension with the Houston Symphony

HOUSTON — The Houston Symphony has announced a second extension of Brett Mitchell's contract as Assistant Conductor for a fourth season, ending in May 2011.

Mitchell will continue leading the orchestra in its classical, pops, education, and outreach programs throughout the 2010-11 season.

Brett Mitchell named Music Director of the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra

SAGINAW — After a multi-season search process drawing on a pool of over 160 applicants, Brett Mitchell has been named the next music director of the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra, effective July 2010.

Mitchell will lead the orchestra in its classical, pops, and education series throughout each season of his three-year contract, which runs through June 2013.

To read a story about this appointment that appeared on the front page of today's Saginaw News, please click here.

BREAKING: Brett Mitchell to step in at tonight's Houston Symphony concert

HOUSTON — Brett Mitchell will step in to conduct this evening's Houston Symphony subscription concert; guest conductor Thomas Dausgaard has withdrawn due to illness. Mitchell will lead the following unchanged program.

NIELSEN - Prelude to Act II from Saul and David
JOHN ADAMS - Violin Concerto
   Leila Josefowicz, violin
BRAHMS - Symphony No. 1

This program marks Mitchell’s second subscription appearances this season following his all-Shostakovich performances in November 2008.

Brett Mitchell promoted to Assistant Conductor of the Houston Symphony

Brett Mitchell leads the Houston Symphony at Miller Outdoor Theatre. (Photo by Jeff Fitlow)

HOUSTON — Having served as American Conducting Fellow of the Houston Symphony for the 2007-08 season, Brett Mitchell has been promoted to Assistant Conductor, effective immediately.

Brett Mitchell named American Conducting Fellow of the Houston Symphony

HOUSTON — Brett Mitchell has been named American Conducting Fellow of the Houston Symphony, beginning September 2007.

This fellowship, spearheaded by the American Symphony Orchestra League, "assists in the development of exceptional conductors in the early stages of their careers, seeking to improve their qualifications to become music directors of American orchestras."

Brett Mitchell named Assistant Conductor of the Orchestre National de France

PARIS — The Orchestre National de France and its music director Kurt Masur have announced that Brett Mitchell has been appointed the ensemble’s newest Assistant Conductor.

Mr, Mitchell will continue in his position as Director of Orchestras, Opera Music Director, and Professor of Conducting at Northern Illinois University while commuting between Chicago and Paris to fulfill both these appointments.

More from the Daily Chronicle:

NIU School of Music professor of conducting will help lead Orchestre National de France

Brett Mitchell, a first-year assistant professor of conducting in the Northern Illinois University School of Music, this year will experience Paris in June.

And August. And December. And maybe May.

Mitchell has been selected as the assistant conductor of the Orchestre National de France. He will make at least half a dozen trips a year to Paris to assist and cover for Maestro Kurt Masur in a role that eventually could expand to conducting the orchestra during educational and outreach performances.

The Seattle native learned of his success immediately after his audition, which took place in the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. The concert hall was the site of the world premiere of Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring,” a work so avant-garde it caused riots in the audience.

“I was thrilled, obviously, and stunned. You get so used to rejection after a while — you’re ready for it, you’re prepared for it — I just remember when I heard my name,” Mitchell said. “The orchestra is just phenomenal, not only in their technical prowess, but they play with so much heart. They are never hesitant to dig in, and I love it.” 

His opportunities in Paris, where he will meet, observe and work alongside some of the world’s greatest conductors, will benefit his students in DeKalb as well as audiences for Philharmonic and Opera Workshop performances.

“Spending so much time with these great musicians can’t help but affect my work here,” he said. “How could it not influence what I do?”

Mitchell’s road to Paris began in New York by way of Austin, where he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees at The University of Texas.

Masur, who conducted the New York Philharmonic during the 1990s, returned in 2004 to lead a master-class for young conductors. Five of the 100 applicants — Mitchell included — made the cut.