Reborn symphony could play this fall

By Howard Dicus

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Under the new name Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, the former musicians of the Honolulu Symphony intend to play the first concert of a new season in October, their artistic advisor said Tuesday.

JoAnn Falletta, in an appearance on Hawaii News Now Sunrise, said she was quite sure the orchestra would launch its season in October, she was working rapidly to put a season together.

"It's very difficult especially since we're putting together a season -- we hope now -- starting this fall, starting in October," Falletta said.

When asked if there is a real chance for that, Falletta answered, "Absolutely, it's going to happen. We're going to start playing in October. So, you can imagine we're about a year behind in planning, but we're going to do it."

Falletta, 51, is the long-time music director of both the Buffalo Philharmonic and of the Virginia Symphony, and was recently appointed principal conductor of the Ulstar Orchestra in Belfast. She has recorded for the Naxos label with the Buffalo ensemble.

The Honolulu Symphony ran out of money during the recession, and, amid squabbling between labor and management, went into receivership and finally liquidation.

A citizen's committee led by Honolulu businesswoman Vicky Cayetano organized to acquire the music library, instruments and other assets of the Honolulu Symphony, and to find ways to reform an orchestra.

Successful in acquiring those assets, the citizen's committee then negotiated a multi-year agreement with the musicians and set about raising funds for a relaunch.

Some members of the Honolulu Symphony were obliged for economic reasons to leave the islands and take posts on the mainland, but most remained, including concertmaster Iggy Jang, and Falletta said Tuesday that some who left want to return if a stable Symphony is launched.

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