Symphony shifts concerts to Saturdays

Honolulu Symphony patrons will have to readjust their concert schedule a skosh: To increase attendance, the orchestra plans to experiment with four Saturday night shows at Blaisdell Concert Hall in the 2001-2002 season starting this fall.

"We did some market research to see if we could beef up our classical numbers," said Stephen D. Bloom, the orchestra’s new executive director, about the Halekulani Classical MasterWorks series. Traditionally, the two-show schedule includes a popular

Sunday matinee but an uneven Tuesday evening performance. Some patrons have expressed a desire for weekend concerts instead of the weeknight outing.

The new wrinkle, under Bloom’s guidance, is a prelude to other changes ahead, said Bloom, who wants make each show "an event." Calling it "truly a celebration of music," symphony maestro Samuel Wong said the orchestra’s upcoming season — its 102nd — will showcase world-class soloists, some making their Island debuts, others in return engagements. Violinist Cho-Liang Lin, Musical America’s Instrumentalist of the Year (2000), will launch the Halekulani Classical MasterWorks series Oct. 14 and 16 at Blaisdell Concert Hall.

While the season may lack a superstar, it represents a gamut of styles and taps both established artists and on-the-rise musicians.

"Each and every year, we strive to give our audiences a unique blend of world-class talent and musical diversity," said Wong. "Music lovers (also) will be treated to an unprecedented amount of enchanting orchestral music."

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