The San Antonio Symphony recently announced that Music Director Designate Larry Rachleff has been appointed the new conductor for its 2003-04 season. In addition to his music director designate duties, Rachleff is currently in his seventh season as music director of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, his twelfth as professor of conducting and music director of Rice University's Shepherd School Orchestras in Houston, and his eleventh as music director of Chicago's Symphony II.
Rachleff, who was named music director designate in November 2002, is not only making a commitment to the orchestra but to the Symphony's tentative financial state, which he hopes to overcome in the upcoming performance season with new programming. For more information, go to www.sasymphony.org or call 554-1000.
SOL MEN
"Contrary to popular belief, this is not our CD release show," Sexto Sol singer-keyboardist Sam Villela said, opening the Latin-rock quintet's Saturday, March 29 gig with Grupo Fantasma at Sam's Burger Joint.
In this case, popular belief was based on the fact that Sam's had initially listed the date as a release show for Sexto Sol's much-anticipated new CD, but the group decided to push the date back a couple of weeks, with the release celebration now planned for Saturday, April 12 at the Spanish Armada Tap Room (1010 N. Main, 223-3036). But if there was any feeling of letdown at Sam's, it wasn't apparent from the stage. Sexto Sol delivered a percussive and propulsive set long on their patented jams, highlighted by a funky cover of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," which split the difference between the Animals and Santa Esmeralda hit versions of the song.
SLOWLY GOING THE WAY OF SYNTHetic POP
Using ye olde snail mail, Dntel's Jimmy Tamborello sent a series of tapes to Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard, who then added rough vocal cuts and returned them via - and hence - the Postal Service. Perhaps that is why the resulting Give Up sounds like updated synth pop; the exchange probably began in the '80s, and the musicians received their mail much later. Whatever the process, the dancey, electronic pop is amazing, and the duo is scheduled to play Mercury Entertainment at Jazz in Austin on Monday, April 7. Tickets are available through Star Tickets at premier.startickets.com or 888-597-STAR.
For some synthetic tuneage here at home, check out Theory of Everything at Club Fusion (1810 N. Main, 732-0313) on Saturday, April 5. DJ Ernest Gonzales touts his stuff as "experimental" and occasionally hip-hop, but there is a quiet ambience to the sound that defies description. It must be experienced. Theory will play the back room at Fusion, with Austin DJ Realismo Magico. DJ Rise is featured in the club's main room. •
— Compiled by Wendi Kimura, Gilbert Garcia
