During the more than four decades that I’ve been writing about classical music for the Chestnut Hill Local, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and review the work of many fine classical musicians, performing in all the various divisions of the genre.

There have been expert organists, pianists, string and wood players, brass players, singers — and even a conductor or two. One of the most interesting was — and is — Cristian Macelaru, who was named assistant conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra in 2011. It was his first “titled” position.

Think back. In 2011, the Orchestra had been performing in its “new home,” the then-named Verizon Hall in the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The late Wolfgang Sawallsich had led the ensemble from its historic home, the Academy of Music, in 2001, and the Orchestra’s leadership was transitioning from Sawallisch to Christoph Eschenbach and then to Charles Dutoit in 2011. Macelaru served under Dutoit as the orchestra’s current music director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, prepared to take over the reins.

At the time, Macelaru had just completed his graduate studies and was living in Chestnut Hill. His role as assistant conductor had become extremely important since the old tradition of the music director living in town and conducting the vast majority of the concerts each season was no longer the norm.

Macelaru now serves as the music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestre National de France. He is also the artistic director of the George Enesco Festival and Competition, artistic director and principal conductor of the Interlochen Center for the Arts. He earned a 2020 Grammy Award for his recording with the Philadelphia Orchestra of Wynton Marsalis’ Violin Concerto.

Macelaru returns to Philadelphia Friday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the newly renamed Marian Anderson Hall to lead an orchestra of students from Interlochen Arts Academy and members of the Philadelphia Orchestra in a vibrant celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and of the 100th anniversary of Interlochen. Internationally acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma will be the soloist in the premiere of Wynton Marsalis’ new cello concerto.

For more information, call the Kimmel Center a 215-790-5800.

Baroque at St. Martin’s Church

Valentin Radu’s VoxAmaDeus continues its 39th season of concerts Saturday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m., at the Episcopal Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Chestnut Hill; and Sunday, March 15, at 7 p.m. in St. Katherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, in Wayne on the Main Line.

Beyond Bach and Vivaldi, many European composers contributed to the brilliance of the Baroque era. The concert presents five of them — from Germany, Italy, and England — and composers such as George Philip Telemann, Charles Avison, Giuseppe Antonio Brescianello, Alessandro Marcello and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.

For more information call 610-688-2800 or visit VoxAmaDeus.org.

You can contact NOTEWORTHY at Michael-caruso@comcast.net.