Charlotte Symphony Orchestra hits an “ Olé"

The Sun Herald, January 25, 2005
by Sandy Copperman

"Maestra Janita Hauk led the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra in a well-chosen program of classical Spanish music with two featured performers, Adam Kent on piano and Thomas Koch on guitar, Sunday night at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center in Punta Gorda.
….. Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo, featured Thomas Koch playing guitar. The orchestra opened this with a fresh, exciting introduction. Koch displayed a definite mastery of the guitar and fused this with the orchestra into a fine Latin musical tapestry.
…..The selection’s beautiful melody was well executed by the CSO. Koch demonstrated many examples of intricate guitar fingerings in virtuoso style in his final solo."

The Herald Tribune, January 25, 2005
by Naomi Donson

"Then came one of the true treasures of the program, Joaquin Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez. The composer’s life (1901-1999) spanned the 20th century and his concerto stands as the quintessential guitar composition, often simply referred as The Rodrigo.
Its familiar themes evoke the otherworldly atmosphere of the gardens of Spain and Gypsy laments. Prepared to perform it and up to the task was Thomas Koch, who has studied with renowned Spanish guitarist Alberto Ponce. The concerto also affords some choice passages by other orchestral instruments such as the oboe, the English horn and strings.
The guitar is a soft instrument and the volume of the orchestra accompanying it can easily overwhelm it. Fortunately, there were only a few seconds when that threat seemed likely."