Tuesday, February 1, 2011

St. Louis Symphoney announces season

St. Louis (February 1, 2011)—The St. Louis Symphony today announced its 2011-12 Season: the orchestra’s 132nd since its founding in 1880, and the seventh under Music Director David Robertson. The 2011-12 Wells Fargo Advisors Orchestral Series runs from September 16, 2011 through May 6, 2012.
            The relationship between dance and music figures prominently throughout the 2011-12 Season. The centennial anniversary of the famed dance/theater company, the Ballets Russes, figured as an initial inspiration to the planning of the season. Robertson explained: “One-hundred-years ago Sergey Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes was setting the world on fire, culminating with the riotous premiere of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Throughout the season we explore the provocative relationship between these two art forms, including an opening weekend that features three of Stravinsky’s great ballet scores: Petrushka, Les Noces and The Rite of Spring.” Other works celebrating the Ballets Russes, which commissioned some of the most innovative composers of the 20th century, include Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe, Stravinsky’s The Firebird, and excerpts from Schumann’s Carnaval, with orchestration by Ravel. Beginning with this focus on Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes, the repertoire expands to include dance as an overall theme throughout much of the season.
St. Louis Symphony President and CEO Fred Bronstein emphasized the audience-development initiatives of the organization as they relate to the new season. “This season underscores both the qualities and strategic focus of the St. Louis Symphony,” Bronstein said. “Excellence is prevalent, as is the balance of accessibility, creativity and artistic growth. From beginning to end, there is a sense not just of many concerts, but a series of ‘events’ that make the St. Louis Symphony and Powell Hall a destination. There is something for everyone, and I think the season reinforces the point that the serious audience development work successfully undertaken in recent years will continue to be a key element in how we gauge our future success as an institution.”

Highlights of the 2011-12 season include:
           
  • Signature Dance Programs in concerts featuring an Opening Weekend of Stravinsky ballets, flamenco guitarist Juan Carmona, and the return of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
  • Rach Fest, featuring three Rachmaninoff piano concertos performed over two weekends by Stephen Hough
  • 3rd Annual Gala with violinist Itzhak Perlman performing Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, conducted by Music Director David Robertson
  • The St. Louis Symphony continues its tradition of presenting Adventurous and New Music throughout the 2011-12 Season, including world premieres by Edgar Meyer and Steven Mackey and a United States premiere by Philippe Manoury
  • In conjunction with the citywide American Arts Experience-St. Louis, David Robertson conducts the world premiere of Edgar Meyer’s Double Bass Concerto No. 3. Also on the program are works by Copland, Ives, as well as Gershwin’s An American in Paris
  • Orchestral Favorites including Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor,” Ravel’s Bolero and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4
  • Live at Powell Hall continues to make Powell Hall the place to be for a variety of musical experiences, including the music of John Williams, dynamic piano ensemble The 5 Browns, vocalist Michael W. Smith, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, and music from the popular video game Final Fantasy®
  • J.S. Bach’s Mass in B minor with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, conducted by David Robertson
  • Carnegie Hall performance with renowned soprano Karita Mattila
  • Saturday night subscription concert live broadcasts continuing on St. Louis Public Radio, 90.7 KWMU.

SIGNATURE DANCE PROGRAMS

Beginning with Opening Weekend, September 16-17, 2011, the St. Louis Symphony presents several concerts with a focus on dance. The Opening Weekend features an all-Stravinsky program of Petrushka, the St. Louis Symphony premiere of Les Noces (The Wedding), and The Rite of Spring. David Robertson conducts a quartet of vocal soloists and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus.
            Signature Dance Program concerts include:
  • Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe and Schumann’s Carnaval, orchestrated by Ravel, conducted by Stéphane Denève and featuring the St. Louis Symphony Chorus (November 4-5, 2011)
  • Ravel’s La Valse conducted by Jun Märkl (November 11-13, 2011)
  • Juan Carmona’s Sinfonia Flamenca and Ravel’s Bolero, conducted by David Robertson and featuring guitarist/composer Carmona (November 25-26, 2011)
  • Hubbard Street Dance Chicago with David Robertson conducting the St. Louis Symphony (February 17-19, 2012)
  • Stravinsky’s The Firebird conducted by David Robertson (March 2-3, 2012 at Powell Hall, and March 10, 2012 at Carnegie Hall)
  • Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances and Prokofiev’s Scythian Suite conducted by David Robertson (April 14-15, 2012)

RACH FEST

Serge Rachmaninoff was a pianist of legendary scope, and Stephen Hough is one of the premiere contemporary interpreters of Rachmaninoff’s piano compositions. Hough will perform Rachmaninoff’s first three piano concertos over two consecutive weekends (April 27-29 and May 4-6, 2012).
  • Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 1 conducted by Hans Graf (April 27, 2012) and Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (May 4, 2012)
  • Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 conducted by Hans Graf (April 28-29, 2012)
  • Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 conducted by Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (May 5-6, 2012)

GALA WITH ITZHAK PERLMAN

On October 1, 2011, the St. Louis Symphony welcomes internationally renowned violinist and former St. Louis Symphony Music Advisor Itzhak Perlman to the Powell Hall stage for its 3rd Annual Gala. Perlman will perform Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, conducted by David Robertson. The concert is followed by dining and dancing at a venue to be announced at a later date. Nancy and Walter Galvin are this season’s Gala Chairs.

ADVENTUROUS AND NEW MUSIC

The St. Louis Symphony has a long tradition of presenting the works of contemporary composers. In 2011-12 David Robertson conducts two world premieres and one US premiere:
  • Steven Mackey’s Piano Concerto receives its world premiere (co-commissioned by the St. Louis Symphony) performed by Orli Shaham, with David Robertson conducting (September 23-24, 2011)
  • Edgar Meyer gives the world-premiere performance of his Double Bass Concerto No. 3, (co-commissioned by the St. Louis Symphony) with David Robertson conducting (September 30, 2011)
  • Violinist James Ehnes performs the United States premiere of Synapse by Philippe Manoury, (co-commissioned by the St. Louis Symphony) with David Robertson conducting (October 14-15, 2011)
Other featured works by contemporary composers include:
  • Luciano Berio’s Corale on Sequenza VIII conducted by David Robertson and featuring violinist Erin Schreiber (November 18-19, 2011)
  • Juan Carmona’s Sinfonia Flamenca conducted by David Robertson and featuring Carmona as guitarist (November 25-26, 2011)
  • Osvaldo Golijov’s Sidereus conducted by Ward Stare (commissioned by 35 American orchestras in honor of former League of American Orchestras chairman Henry Fogel) (December 2-4, 2011)
  • George Crumb’s A Haunted Landscape conducted by David Robertson (January 13-14, 2012)
  • John Adams’ Harmonium conducted by David Robertson (January 21-22, 2012)
  • Kaija Saariaho’s Quatre Instants conducted by David Robertson and featuring soprano Karita Mattila, a work that will also be performed at Carnegie Hall (March 2-3, 2012 at Powell Hall and March 10, 2012 at Carnegie Hall)

AMERICAN ARTS EXPERIENCE-ST. LOUIS

In conjunction with American Arts Experience-St. Louis, a citywide festival celebrating American art and artists, September 30-October 16, 2011, David Robertson and Ward Stare conduct a concert of American works both classic and modern, featuring the world premiere of American composer and double bassist Edgar Meyer’s Double Bass Concerto No. 3. The program also includes Copland’s The City (with film), Ives’ Central Park in the Dark and Gershwin’s An American in Paris. (September 30, 2011)

ORCHESTRAL FAVORITES

The St. Louis Symphony is excited to bring back many perennial audience favorites this season including:
  • An all-Mozart program featuring the Symphony No. 38, K. 504, “Prague,” conducted by Nicholas McGegan (October 7-9, 2011)
  • Elgar’s Enigma Variations conducted by Vasily Petrenko (October 21-22)
  • Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor,” with Horacio Gutiérrez as soloist, conducted by Jun Märkl (November 11-13)
  • Ravel’s Bolero conducted by David Robertson (November 25-26, 2011)
  • Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, featuring Jennifer Koh as soloist, conducted by Ward Stare (December 2-4, 2011)
  • Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 conducted by Vassily Sinaisky (January 27-29, 2012)
  • Schubert’s Symphony No. 9, “The Great,” conducted by Stanislaw Skrowaczewski (February 3-4, 2012)
  • An all-Beethoven program featuring Symphony Nos. 1 and 8, conducted by Louis Langrée (March 16-18, 2012)
  • Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, featuring Daniel Lee as soloist and conducted by Peter Oundjian (April 20-22, 2012)
  • Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 conducted by Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (May 4-6, 2012).

LIVE AT POWELL HALL

In the 2011-12 Season Live at Powell Hall continues to expand and attract a wide range of audiences to the St. Louis Symphony. Highlights include:
  • After the success of the first Bugs Bunny symphony program, that “wascally wabbit” returns to Powell Hall for Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, an exciting new program with live orchestral accompaniment to favorite Looney Tunes episodes (September 10-11, 2011)
  • Lon Chaney’s iconic 1925 silent film The Phantom of the Opera shown while the Symphony performs a score arranged by composer Rick Friend (October 28-29, 2011)
  • Vocalist/songwriter Michael W. Smith’s bright Christmas program performed with the St. Louis Symphony (December 9-10, 2011)
  • The Movie Music of John Williams explores the work of the film score legend, conducted by David Robertson (December 29-30, 2011)
  • Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies, another new show, showcases a variety of scores, visual images and film clips from popular Disney films (February 11-12, 2012)
  • Five immensely talented sibling pianists, The 5 Browns, bring their unique and energetic ensemble performance to Powell Hall (March 10, 2012)
  • Distant Worlds, an entertaining program of music complete with a dazzling visual presentation from the bestselling video game Final Fantasy®, with composer Nobuo Uematsu in St. Louis for the performances (March 23-24, 2012)

BACH MASS IN B MINOR

David Robertson conducts one of J.S. Bach’s greatest choral masterworks. This sweeping liturgical work is rarely performed today, but includes some of Bach’s most inspiring music. The performance features Susanna Phillips, Kate Lindsey, Nicholas Phan and Stephen Powell as soloists, with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, Amy Kaiser, director. (March 31-April 1, 2012)

CARNEGIE HALL TOUR

The St. Louis Symphony is one of the few American orchestras invited to perform at New York City’s prestigious Carnegie Hall on a regular basis. This season soprano Karita Mattila joins David Robertson and the Symphony in Kaija Saariaho’s Quatre Instants. The program also includes Debussy’s Printemps and the complete version of Stravinsky’s The Firebird (March 10, 2012).

ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO LIVE BROADCASTS

In the second year of continuous partnership with the Symphony, St. Louis Public Radio, 90.7 KWMU, will broadcast each Saturday night subscription series concert live on the air and over the internet. Concerts in that series include:
  • Stravinsky’s Petrushka, Les Noces (St. Louis Symphony premiere) and The Rite of Spring, with Dominique Labelle, Kelley O’Connor, Thomas Cooley and Kelly Anderson as soloists, and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, Amy Kaiser, director, conducted by David Robertson (September 17, 2011)
  • World premiere of Steven Mackey’s Piano Concerto with Orli Shaham as soloist, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, conducted by David Robertson (September 24, 2011)
  • All-Mozart program featuring Symphony No. 32, K. 318; Piano Concerto No. 13, K. 415 with Jeremy Denk as soloist; Horn Concerto No. 3, K. 447 with Roger Kaza as soloist; and Symphony No. 38, K. 504, “Prague,” conducted by Nicholas McGegan (October 8, 2011)
  • Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman Overture, US Premiere of Manoury’s Synapse with James Ehnes as soloist, and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1, conducted by David Robertson (October 15, 2011)
  • Rachmaninoff’s The Isle of the Dead, Chopin’s Piano Concetro No. 1 with Olga Kern as soloist, and Elgar’s Enigma Variations, conducted by Vasily Petrenko (October 22, 2011)
  • Schumann’s Excerpts from Carnaval, orch. Ravel; Schumann’s Piano Concerto with Eric La Sage as soloist; and Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, Amy Kaiser, director; conducted by Stéphane Denève (November 5, 2011)
  • Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor” with Horacio Gutiérrez as soloist, R. Strauss’ Death and Transfiguration, and Ravel’s La Valse, conducted by Jun Märkl (November 12, 2011)
  • Purcell’s Chacony in G minor, Berio’s Corale on Sequenza VIII with Erin Schreiber, violin, and Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7, conducted by David Robertson (November 19, 2011)
  • Chabrier’s España, Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo capriccioso; Ravel’s Rapsodie espagnole; Carmona’s Sinfonia Flamenca with Juan Carmona, guitar, a guitar ensemble and flamenco dancers; and Ravel’s Bolero, conducted by David Robertson (November 26, 2011)
  • Schubert’s Symphony No. 5, Osvaldo Golijov’s Sidereus and Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons with Jennifer Koh, violin, conducted by Ward Stare (December 3, 2011)
  • Dvořák’s Symphony No.7, George Crumb’s A Haunted Landscape, and R. Strauss’ Four Last Songs with Christine Brewer, soprano, conducted by David Robertson (January 14, 2012)
  • Wagner’s Prelude to Act 1 from Parsifal, Sibelius’ Violin Concerto with Christian Tetzlaff as soloist, and John Adams’ Harmonium with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, Amy Kaiser, director, conducted by David Robertson (January 21, 2012)
  • Sibelius’ En saga, Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with Louis Lortie as soloist, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, conducted by Vassily Sinaisky (January 28, 2012)
  • Weber’s Oberon Overture, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with David Halen as soloist, and Schubert’s Symphony No. 9, “The Great,” conducted by Stanislaw Skrowaczewski (February 4, 2012)
  • Wagenaar’s Cyrano de Bergerac Overture, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25, K. 503 with Martin Helmchen as soloist, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4, conducted by Jaap van Zweden (February 25, 2012)
  • Debussy’s Printemps, Kaija Saariaho’s Quatre Instants with Karita Mattila, soprano, and Stravinsky’s The Firebird, conducted by David Robertson (March 3, 2012)
  • All-Beethoven program featuring Symphony No. 1, Piano Concerto No. 2 with Robert Levin as soloist, and Symphony No. 8, conducted by Louis Langrée (March 17, 2012)
  • Bach’s Mass in B minor with Susanna Phillips, Kate Lindsey, Nicholas Phan and Stephen Powell as guest vocalists, and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, Amy Kaiser, director, conducted by David Robertson (March 31, 2012)
  • Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand with Leon Fleisher as soloist, and Prokofiev’s Scythian Suite, conducted by David Robertson (April 14, 2012)
  • Smetana’s Šárka from Má vlast, Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with Daniel Lee as soloist, and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2, “Little Russian,” conducted by Peter Oundjian (April 21, 2012)
  • Rimsky-Korsakov’s Skazka, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1, and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with Stephen Hough as soloist, conducted by Hans Graf (April 28, 2012)
  • Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with Stephen Hough as soloist, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, conducted by Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (May 5, 2012)

PULITZER FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS CONCERTS

The partnership between two of St. Louis’ premier arts organizations continues in Season 2011-12. The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this season, again serves as a sublime concert space, as well as a source of inspiration, for a series of chamber concerts featuring repertoire that offers a musical dialogue with the current exhibition. Architect Tadao Ando’s stunning revelation of concrete, light and space makes these forays into modern and postmodern musical territory that much more exciting. Programs and dates to be announced.

ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY FEATURED MUSICIANS

  • Conductor
Ward Stare (September 30 and December 2-4, 2011)
  • Violin
David Halen (February 3-4, 2012)
Erin Schreiber, St. Louis Symphony solo debut (November 18-19, 2011)
  • Cello
Daniel Lee (April 20-22, 2012)
  • Horn
Roger Kaza (October 7-9, 2011)

ARTIST DEBUTS

  • Piano
Martin Helmchen (February 24-26, 2012)
Eric La Sage (November 4-5, 2011)
  • Double Bass
Edgar Meyer (September 30, 2011)
  • Guitar
Juan Carmona (November 25-26, 2011)
  • Vocalist
Susanna Phillips, soprano (March 31-April 1, 2012)

RETURNING GUEST CONDUCTORS

  • Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos (May 4-6, 2012)
  • Stéphane Denève (November 4-5, 2011)
  • Hans Graf (April 27-29, 2012)
  • Louis Langrée (March 16-18, 2012)
  • Jun Märkl (November 11-13, 2011)
  • Nicholas McGegan (October 7-9, 2011)
  • Peter Oundjian (April 20-22, 2012)
  • Vasily Petrenko (October 21-23, 2011)
  • Vassily Sinaisky (January 27-29, 2012)
  • Stanislaw Skrowaczewski (February 3-4, 2012)
  • Jaap van Zweden (February 24-26, 2012)

RETURNING GUEST ARTISTS

  • Piano
Jeremy Denk (October 7-9, 2011)
Leon Fleisher (April 14-15, 2012)
Horacio Gutiérrez (November 11-13, 2011)
Stephen Hough (April 27-29 and May 4-6, 2012)
Olga Kern (October 21-23, 2011)
Robert Levin (March 16-18, 2012)
Louis Lortie (January 27-29, 2012)
Orli Shaham (September 23-24, 2011)
  • Violin
James Ehnes (October 14-15, 2011)
Jennifer Koh (December 2-4, 2011)
Christian Tetzlaff (January 21-22. 2012)
  • Vocalists
Kelly Anderson, baritone (September 16-17, 2011)
Christine Brewer, soprano (January 13-14, 2012)
            Thomas Cooley, tenor (September 16-17, 2011)
Dominique Labelle, soprano (September 16-17, 2011)
Kate Lindsey, mezzo-soprano (March 31-April 1, 2012)
Karita Mattila, soprano (March 2-3, 2012 and Carnegie Hall)
Kelley O’Connor, mezzo-soprano (September 16-17, 2011)
Nicholas Phan, tenor (March 31-April 1, 2012)
Stephen Powell, baritone (March 31-April 1, 2012)

EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

The St. Louis Symphony is an integral part of the community, sharing the gift of music with tens of thousands of people in schools, churches, parks, community organizations and other venues throughout the region.
In just the last 13 years, the Symphony's broad-based efforts have grown to include:
  • Programs, festivals and showcases each year at more than 100 schools in 12 area school districts
  • Kinder Konzerts, Young People’s Concerts, and Young Adult's Concerts for more than 40,000 students annually
  • The St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, which includes talented young musicians from more than three dozen area schools
  • Performances in 40 African-American churches through the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON® Program
  • The St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON® Chorus, which this year appointed Kevin McBeth as only its second director in its 16-year history
  • Over 250 free performances at community organizations, schools, churches, parks and other locations throughout the year.

To learn more about the Education and Community Partnership Program of the St. Louis Symphony visit www.stlsymphony.org/cp or call 314-286-4432.

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