Orchestra Bio Chorus Bio Orchestra Members Chorus Members Music Director

Orchestra Bio

The Apollo Symphony Orchestra’s beginnings evolved in a most unusual, yet natural way, as all music does: it starts from the heart that yearns to be moved by beautiful music. This evolution started in 1977, when a group of people within a small community in Northern California, most of whom were non-professional musicians, wished to form an orchestra. Encouraging and inspiring these people was a professional musician named Anna Gold who had early in her life established an international career as part of a three-sister trio within Russia. Although Anna, who was the pianist, left the stage to raise a family, her sister Zara Nelsova continued her career to great success. Pablo Casals once remarked about Zara: “There are only two great cellists performing today: myself and Zara Nelsova”.

Anna and Zara reached out to many famous friends to schedule a series of Chamber Concerts. The goal of this series was to educate as well as entertain. Among the artists who performed were the Beaux Arts Trio, the Guarneri Quartet, the Telluride Quartet and soloists such as Nicanor Zabaleta (harpist), Laszlo Varga (cellist), Jeffey Kahane (piano), and Richard Stolzman (clarinet). Vocalists also joined in this series such as Maureen Forrester (Canadian Contralto), Francesca Howe (Soprano) and Donna Peterson (Mezzo-soprano).

Although the desire to establish an orchestra remained, it lacked a dedicated conductor. In 1981, as if by fate, a young conductor named Michael Goodwin moved to Northern California from Germany and learned of this desire of a group of people to form an orchestra ‘from scratch’. He took on the task and established the orchestra’s concert schedule, and lent his skills to honing the talent of his musicians, often arranging Master Classes led by these famous guest performers. Within a few years, the Renaissance Orchestra (later changing its name to the Apollo Orchestra) was ready to perform Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with guest artist, Menahem Pressler, who was an early supporter of the orchestra’s formation.

Daniel Canosa first met Michael Goodwin through mutual friends while Michael was visiting Argentina in 1989 and an immediate friendship developed. Encouraged by Michael, Daniel moved to Northern California in 1990 and worked with the orchestra and chorus as regular guest conductor. He lent his expertise in Baroque music by founding the Apollo Baroque Orchestra, which performed a series of Bach cantatas and concerti using period instruments.

The 1990s was a very rich musical period for the Apollo Orchestra. Both Michael and Daniel collaborated on developing orchestra concerts with programs ranging from Baroque to Early 20th century. This included all of Beethoven’s Symphonies (except the 9th) and Mozart and Haydn’s late symphonies. Together they created the Summer Music Festival (1992-1998) with weekend performances that would open and close with orchestral works. Highlights included Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor with Alexander Romanul, violin, and Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor with guest pianist Menahem Pressler.

Daniel Canosa assumed the role of Music Director upon Michael Goodwin’s untimely death in February 2012. Today, the Apollo Symphony Orchestra is formed of professional musicians from the region, and its enthusiastic audience continues to grow in number.