The Miami Symphony Orchestra’s (MISO) Grand Season Opening on Sunday, October 5, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts was a night filled with spectacular music and surprises. Venezuelan Maestro, MISO’s Music Director and Conductor, Eduardo Marturet led the orchestra throughout the two-hour concert with his usual dramatic flair. Dressed in a tuxedo with tails and his signature Donald Pliner loafers, (in royal blue) Marturet delighted audiences through a concert of pieces by Mendelssohn, Rachmaninov, and Brahms. For the second act, world-famous Russian pianist, Lola Astanova, took the stage, to show her mastery on a stunning Steinway Piano. Astanova, who literally sparkled in a bejeweled dress, is considered to be among the most watched virtuoso performers in the world. Under the leadership of Maestro Marturet, her emotional style of performing Rachmaninov’s melodies was sensational. Following the intermission, the orchestra performed Brahms’ masterful Symphony No. 1, declared “the greatest symphony since Beethoven’s Ninth.” During the concert, a representative from famed piano manufacturer, Steinway & Sons (the official piano of the MISO) presented Maestro Marturet with an award and declared him a “Steinway Artist.” 
This distinction is only given to a select number of musicians throughout the world. To be considered a Steinway Artist, a musician must “own and demonstrate extraordinary talent and love of the Steinway piano.” Marturet joined the ranks of other Steinway Artists including Billy Joel and Harry Connick Jr., who have shown equal respect for this extraordinary instrument, each of which is made by hand and takes 14 months to build. Maestro Marturet said a few words to the audience during the concert, “Thank you for being with us tonight to share another great season and the start of our next quarter-century together. We continue to be blessed with the ongoing support and friendship of many benefactors and patrons. The time, talent, and treasure of our Board of Directors continues as they work tirelessly to engage our community, sponsors, and volunteers to ensure that Miami Symphony Orchestra grows and thrives in Miami’s ever- expanding arts community. And of course our remarkable and eternally dedicated musicians and small staff, those who create the beautiful music and programs that you all love and enjoy – my indebtedness to them is infinite. I’m so gratified to say once again, we are all here together to ‘let the music play.’”
If MISO’s Grand Season Opening was any indication, then the 2014-2015 season is sure to be the best yet. Future concerts include a Tribute to the Beatles, on November 16, an outdoor concert for families and The Steinway and Sons’ Piano Extravaganza, where several pianos will be lined up and played on the same stage, to name a few. I look forward to enjoying more of MISO’s wonderful concerts.
The following Sunday, October 12, Mercantil Commercebank celebrated its 35th anniversary with a performance by the Miami Symphony Orchestra, which served as the inaugural concert for the new Donald J. Trump Ballroom at Trump National Doral Miami.
The event was attended by Doral community leaders and Mercantil Commercebank executives, along with other community influencers and local classical music supporters. An hour-long concert featuring Lola Astanova was followed by a private cocktail reception.
