Press
"Ethel Smyth, the British suffragist, has found another advocate in the conductor James Blachly, whose recording of her last major work, ‘The Prison,’ from 1931, exudes quality (Chandos) — an album of the year, by any measure." – New York Times
“The performances by the…Experiential Orchestra (James Blachly, conductor) were laudable, and, as is necessary with this music, technically immaculate…Blachly [had] an understated sense of finesse and reverence, letting the music fill the towering, reverberant space.” – Musical America
“The conductor James Blachly elicits splendid work from the vocal soloists, Sarah Brailey and Dashon Burton, and from the Experiential Orchestra and Chorus." –The New Yorker
“Led by conductor James Blachly, the [Experiential Orchestra] takes an unconventional approach to classical music: Think spontaneous swaying, dancing and general revelry—or wherever the music leads you.” – Time Out New York
“Throughout the concert, Blachly displayed an articulate and artistic style, his every gesture finding immediate orchestral response.” – Virginia Gazette
“James Blachly has been a gift to Johnstown, his passion and imagination a blessing for his Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and our region.” – The Tribune Democrat
“The talented orchestra… is splendidly served by the supple conducting of James Blachly, who illuminates the vivacity and the poignancy of Mozart’s score.” – Finger Lakes Times
“Before a December performance of The Nutcracker by the Experiential Orchestra in the ballroom of the Bohemian National Hall in Manhattan, conductor James Blachly urged attendees to experience the music however they preferred. Some members of the audience sat on chairs interspersed throughout the musicians, while others danced in front of the orchestra. A handful of listeners even sprawled out on the floor to listen.” – Read the full feature, “Surround Sound,” in Symphony Magazine [link “Symphony Magazine” to: https://issuu.com/americanorchestras/docs/symphony_spring_2019/24]
“The jean-clad Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, guest artists Jeans N’ Classics and a 33-voice strong select chorus performed ‘The Music of Queen’ before a sold-out crowd of 1,400 at JWF on Saturday night… The mood was more restrained than a rock concert, yet more rowdy than a symphony performance, with a general happy feel of a class reunion or block party.” – The Tribune Democrat
“‘The nature of the piece is to challenge us,’ Blachly said [of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring]. ‘It’s like a portal you have to go through. If you don’t feel spent or destroyed there’s something wrong.’ Much of the audience seemed to embrace the conductor's philosophy. As the asymmetrical groove of the ‘Ritual of the Rival Tribes’ chugged into motion, men in their 20s and 30s began to bob their heads. Soon, movements grew more demonstrative (aided by a couple of professionals planted in the crowd). In the amorphous sections of ‘The Sacrifice’ a few couples gamely tried to slow dance. The violent ‘Glorification of the Chosen One’ briefly spawned a hardcore-style mosh pit in the increasingly steamy hall.” – WQXR, New York Public Radio