Reviews – Recent and Notable

…"the musicians played with astonishing skill and commitment…"
John Lambert, 2004

Symphonies ~ October 2005

Beethoven’s First and Honneger’s Fourth

Chamber Orchestra- October 2005

“…a remarkable concert…” “…casting new light on an old favorite [Beethoven Symphony no. 1]. This was fresh, new stuff that emerged…. Once again, the playing gave immense pleasure… John Lambert, cvnc.org, October 2005

American Originals ~ April 2005 – two concerts

“ There was strength in all sections of the RCS in the performance, with silken strings and solid, secure playing from the winds and brass and ancillary instruments… “Philip Glass’s Symphony no. 2 was a bracing, nay exhilarating ride, and the substantial program ended to great acclaim.” Lambert, April 2005

Fate and Destiny – Symphony Fall 2005

“… the musicians gave an amazing performance, projecting considerable emotion within a masterfully secure context, technically.” (Fauré Pelléas et Mélisande) Lambert, November 2005

Dvorák & Ives Chamber Orchestra -- October 2004

“The performance was so beautiful and played with such infectious spirit. …I've never heard a performance that went quite as directly to the core of the matter as this one did. The third movement [Ives Symphony no. 3] seemed to grow organically before our very ears … and when it ended, with off-stage chimes, it was truly ethereal. Wow!” -- Lambert

Mozartiana Chamber Orchestra – November 2004

“Overall, the playing was of very, very high quality, and the composer (Mozart) was exceedingly well served…. Foy's pacings were consistently wonderful… The Finale was truly bracing.” … performance was thoroughly integrated, lyrical and poetic…” John Lambert, 2004

African-American Heritage Concerts

Featuring Guest Composer/Performer Daniel Bernard Roumain

Symphony & Chamber Orchestra, April 2003

“The concert reached a blazing, dramatic conclusion with "Harlem Essay"…The RSC played it [Roumain’s Harlem Essay ] beautifully, swinging, speaking, and playing like the possessed souls they clearly were, at the end of the composer's visit here, in our community.” John Lambert, cvnc.org

“Foy and the Raleigh Civic Symphony Association deserve much praise for planning and pulling off this program. With the rarely-heard selections, the presence of a vibrant young composer and the involvement with the public schools, the program stands as a fine example of what classical music organizations need to produce to be an integral part of the community.” Roy C. Dicks, cvnc.org

“The concert ended on a tremendous high with Roumain’s 2002 composition, Voodoo Violin Concerto, a tribute to his Haitian heritage.” Roy C. Dicks

• “Astute programming and the availability of two fine ensembles afford the public unique opportunities to hear rarely-heard and worthwhile music in exemplary contexts.” John Lambert, cvnc.org, April, 2005

• “a fine example of what classical music organizations need to produce to be an integral part of the community” Roy C. Dicks, 2003

• “Music Director Randolph Foy is a fine conductor, teacher, and scholar, and his programs are almost always bracing.” John Lambert, October, 2005

• “Foy’s laudatory work with these musicians proves that concerts by student and community players can have a worthy role in the larger realm of an area’s musical life.” Roy C. Dicks; Raleigh News and Observer; April 2002