Music Director Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) have announced the Orchestra's 2016-2017 season, its tenth season under the direction of Maestra Alsop. Through appearances by the world's most renowned artists, premieres of new works, exciting signature projects and strengthening of longstanding community partnerships, the new season continues the celebration of the BSO's Centennial year.
"As we enter our second century as an orchestra, we want to pay tribute to the incredible music that brought us to this place, while giving voice to the emerging artists and composers who are bringing invention and continued relevancy to the grand orchestral tradition," says BSO Music Director Marin Alsop. "At the heart of our season is the great symphonist and humanist: Beethoven, whose music has the power to unite us and give us hope - a message as powerful today as it was in his time. Another focus is the music of 20th Century great, Igor Stravinsky, an artist who looked to the future while embracing the past. And, in keeping with the BSO's longstanding commitment to the music of our time, we are thrilled to bring you the work of many great composers writing today, including five special centennial commissions that celebrate Baltimore. We begin our second century anticipating the joy of sharing great musical moments with our community, and the optimism and hope that great art gives us as human beings."
Major Focus on Beethoven and Stravinsky
The 2016-2017 season is framed by two of the most revolutionary and influential composers of all time, who paved the way for the generations that followed. The first is Ludwig van Beethoven, a humanist who strongly believed in the principles of the Enlightenment, and an innovator who forever changed the landscape of this art form. His values of reason, tolerance and equality are just as relevant today, two centuries later. The second is Igor Stravinsky, whose radical imagination loomed as large in the 20th Century as Beethoven's did in the 19th, and whose curiosity and bold experimentation resulted in radical shifts in composition.
Beethoven: (re) Discovered
The Beethoven focus will encompass many of his most beloved and enduring works: a complete cycle of the five piano concertos, with all-star soloists Angela Hewitt, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Inon Bartanan, Paul Lewis, and Jan Lisiecki; the iconic symphonies nos. 4, 5, 7, and 9; and the violin concerto as performed by the illustrious Gil Shaham.
100th Anniversary Culminates in Ode to Joy
The orchestra's Centennial celebration culminates in November 2016 with a four-day Beethoven Festival and the optimistic message of the Ninth Symphony's "Ode to Joy." This seminal work will be complemented with Absolute Jest, a recent piece that takes its inspiration from Beethoven's late string quartets by John Adams, who composed it specifically for the St. Lawrence String Quartet. In residence for the week, the SLSQ will also take part in a BSO Late Night event in the Meyerhoff lobby, and will perform an all-Beethoven recital in co-presentation with Shriver Hall Concert Series. The Festival also offers unique opportunities to participate, as a Rusty Musician sitting alongside the orchestra, or by singing along with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society for the "Ode to Joy" finale.
Stravinsky was the musical version of Picasso of his time, keeping one eye on a new world and the other on tradition. This season, BSO showcases six of his masterworks, from his early Russian folk-inflected ballets, The Firebird and Petrushka, to his reimagining of 18th century classicism through later choral and symphonic masterpieces. In addition to the often-performed ballets, the orchestra will introduce the less familiar Symphony of Psalms (last performed by the BSO in 1982), Symphony in Three Movements (last performed in 1993), and the first-ever BSO performance of his Symphonies of Wind Instruments.
New Works by Celebrated Composers of Our Time
Known for its long-term commitment to new music, the BSO will bring several premieres in the new season from some of the most distinguished and accomplished composers of our time. In addition to the Centennial Celebration Commissions, the 2016-2017 season will feature:
Celebration Commissions Continue
Begun in the 2015-2016 as a BSO Centennial initiative, the Centennial Celebration Commissions used crowd-sourcing to cull ideas from members of the public, who submitted themes for ten short works to commemorate the BSO's 100th birthday. Ten American composers (six female and four male) were chosen to create works that could be used as encores. Each composer was sent the list of ideas and asked to choose one as their inspiration. The Kuster, Rouse, Tower, Larsen and Lee works are premiering as part of the 2015-2016 season; the remaining five premieres will be sprinkled throughout the 2016-2017 season.
Commissioned for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Marin Alsop by Classical Movements, Inc. as part of the Eric Daniel Helms New Music Program. Also made possible by a grant from New Music USA through a generous contribution from Thomas Brener and Inbal Segev, and additionally supported by the Francis Goelet Charitable Lead Trusts, the Aaron Copland Fund for Music, and the Randolph S. and Amalie R. Rothschild Endowed Fund for New Music.
Signature Programming with Maestra Marin Alsop
One hallmark of Marin Alsop's tenure as Music Director has been focusing on monumental works that show off the orchestra's artistry and virtuosity. Another has been taking some of those formative works and adding production elements to enhance the story behind the music. The 2016-2017 season is full to the brim with epic productions of timeless classics, conducted by Maestra Alsop, including:
A particular highlight of the season will be Béla Bártok's harrowing one-act opera Bluebeard's Castle (June 10 and 11, 2017). This haunting and thoroughly gripping psycho-thriller is brought to life by mezzo-soprano Claudia Mahnke as Judith, the young and unsuspecting bride and by bass-baritone Alan Held, who plays the menacing Bluebeard. Semi-staged and video-enhanced, this will be a Marin Alsop/BSO signature production not to be missed.
Principal Guest Conductor Markus Stenz' Second Season
Markus Stenz begins his second season as the BSO's Principal Guest Conductor with three programs that focus on staples of the orchestral repertoire. Stenz, a contemporary of Marin Alsop, was a fellow student of hers at Tanglewood under Leonard Bernstein in the late 1980s. He is currently Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, and his October 2012 debut with the BSO drew high praise from critics as well as favor with the orchestra. In the 2016-2017 season, highlights of his programs include Bruckner's Symphony No. 4, called the "Romantic,"; Stravinsky's complete Firebird; Strauss'Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks; Mozart's Symphony No. 29; and a BSO Premiere from German composer (and Stenz compatriot) Detlev Glanert called Frenesia, an homage to Richard Strauss and "A Hero's Life" on the composer's 150th birthday.
Renowned Guest Artists
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra works with the world's leading soloists, and in the 2016-2017 season will welcome back several dear friends and collaborators. Included in the lineup will be: Hélène Grimaud with Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2; Jean-Yves Thibaudet and the Gershwin Piano Concerto in F; the stunning Nicole Cabell with Ravel's Shéhérazade; Johannes Moser as soloist in Dvo?ák's Cello Concerto; and the long-awaited return of pianist Angela Hewitt performing Beethoven. An impressive line-up of violinists includes passionate new music advocate Jennifer Koh for the BSO Premiere of Steven Mackey's Beautiful Passing; Augustin Hadelich playing Chausson and Ravel; the return of young virtuoso Ray Chen to perform Paganini; Danish star Henning Kraggerud for Mozart; and Gil Shaham winding up the season with the beloved Beethoven Violin Concerto.
Artist Debuts
The orchestra has long been a champion of emerging artists, and the following instrumentalists and conductors will make their BSO debuts in the coming season:
The BSO will also present several rising stars of opera in their debuts with the orchestra:
Extraordinary Guest Conductors
Maestra Alsop shares the podium with an array of guest conductors:
BSO Musicians as Soloists
The BSO is made up of extraordinarily gifted and talented musicians, and two soloists from the orchestra will be in the spotlight this season
BSO Late Nights
New this season, five BSO guest artists will perform after five Friday evening concerts at the Meyerhoff. Pianists Gabriela Montero and Jean-Yves Thibaudet (joined by soprano Julia Bullock), violinist Ray Chen, the St. Lawrence String Quartet and the University of Maryland Concert Choir all reveal a more informal side of their artistry in these post-concert soirées in the Meyerhoff lobby.
Pulse
The BSO and Associate Conductor Nicholas Hersh present the second season of Pulse. Aimed at the next generation of symphony-goers, this series pairs a nationally renowned Indie artist or band, juxtaposed with a BSO ensemble performing classical repertoire that shares techniques or idioms with the band's music. Pulse is not just a concert-it's an entire event, featuring craft beers and drink specials, food from local eateries, and pre- and post-concert performances by local musicians. The complete programming schedule, list of featured artists and on-sale dates will be announced in summer, 2016.
BSO at the Movies
As part of its lighter fare, the BSO is offering a continuation of the popular live orchestral accompaniment to classic films. The 2016-2017 holiday season will feature real-time performances of original scores to four timeless movies:
Off the Cuff Series
The BSO's popular "Off the Cuff" series offers audiences a deep dive into the background of classic repertoire. Featuring a shorter concert format, Marin Alsop (and a few invited guest conductors) focus on one particular work during a normal subscription week, delving into musical themes and meanings of major works, exploring the lives of the composers who wrote them, and placing the music in historical context. Next season will bring five Off the Cuff performances to the Meyerhoff and to Strathmore. Marin Alsop will take a closer work at Beethoven's Seventh Symphony, Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, and the Dvo?ák Cello Concerto (with guest soloist Johannes Moser); Principal Guest Conductor Markus Stenz will take apart Stravinsky's Firebird; and Associate Conductor Nicholas Hersh will demonstrate how the imagery in Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker can stand alone as concert music even without the ballet.
Jack Everly and the BSO SuperPops Season
Under Jack Everly's dynamic leadership, the BSO's SuperPops concerts are a beloved source of entertainment for audiences at both of the orchestra's homes, in Baltimore at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, and in North Bethesda at The Music Center at Strathmore. The 2016-2017 season marks Everly's 14 th with the orchestra, and the BSO announced recently the extension of his contract through the 2020-21 season. For the news season, Everly has assembled a lineup featuring a tribute to Frank Sinatra with Ann Hampton Callaway and guests singing American standards; an evening of Big Band with the incomparable Doc Severinsen; an extravaganza with four of Broadway's leading men; a Doo Wop project that captures the close harmonies of the 1950s; a St. Patrick's Day celebration of Celtic music; and one of the greatest film scores of all time, John Williams E.T.-The Extra-Terrestrial.
Holidays at the BSO
The Holidays are always a special time at the BSO, with traditions including Handel's Messiah and Tap Dancing Santas, and new experiences including a new holiday show from Pink Martini's Storm Large, classic holiday films set to music, and a new, swinging version of the classic Nutcracker, as imagined by Duke Ellington.
Family Series and Educational Programming
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra boasts 100 years of innovative programming for youth. Through the Music Box Series for children ages six months to three years and Family Concerts for children ages four and older and their families, the BSO uses music as the vehicle to stimulate and inspire young minds. The BSO serves nearly 60,000 students annually with age-appropriate musical programming. And the BSO estimates that it has reached nearly four million students during its 100 years.
Family Concert Series
During the 2016-2017 season, the BSO will present four interactive, age-appropriate programs at the Meyerhoff. Each concert begins at 11 a.m. However, families are encouraged to arrive early at 9:45 a.m. to participate in the Inspiration Zone. Prior to each concert, the Meyerhoff lobby is the site of a range of exciting, interactive activities, such as an instrument petting zoo, arts and crafts stations, interactive workshops, face painting and performances by members from the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras and OrchKids.
Music Box Series
In the 2016-2017 season, the BSO continues its highly popular Music Box Series for infants and toddlers age six months to three years. Each Saturday morning half-hour concert features the musical talents of a small ensemble of BSO musicians performing classical and children's songs to develop musicality, creativity, coordination and literacy. Children and parents sit on the floor and close to the low stage in the Meyerhoff lobby, creating an inclusive, non-threatening, highly interactive environment. Prior to the concert, the lobby is filled with a range of musical and creative activities, thanks to the BSO's partnership with Ready at Five. Dates and times to be announced at a later date.
About the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Celebrating its Centennial in 2016, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is recognized as one of America's most important and innovative orchestras and one of Maryland's most significant cultural organizations. Led by the dynamic and visionary Maestra Marin Alsop, the Orchestra is internationally acclaimed and locally admired for its outstanding concerts, recordings, broadcasts, touring, and for its groundbreaking education and community outreach initiatives. The BSO annually performs for more than 350,000 people throughout the State of Maryland. Since 1982, its Baltimore home has been the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, and in 2005, the BSO became the nation's first orchestra with year-round venues in two metropolitan areas with the opening of The Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland. The BSO boasts trailblazing education and community programs designed for audiences of all ages, from a Music Box Series for toddlers and concerts for schoolchildren and families, to comprehensive programs for aspiring young musicians and amateur adult musicians. The award-winning OrchKids program, launched by Marin Alsop and the BSO in 2008, provides education resources and fosters social change through the power of music for children in the city's neediest communities.
BSO Passport Returns: Discounts for Patrons Ages 21- 40
The BSO attracts new patrons with a fourth season of the popular BSO Passport program. This discounted ticket program for young professionals continues the BSO's commitment to accessibility and audience development. Patrons age 21-40 can pay a one-time flat fee of $75 to purchase a BSO Passport, good for admission to unlimited (pending availability) concerts for the entire 2016-2017 season at both the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, Md. and The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Md.
Further details will be available in Fall. BSO Passports not available for purchase until September.
BSO Student Select Program Returns: Discounts and Parties for College Students
For the fourth year, the BSO will continue its popular BSO Student Select program for college students. This discounted ticket program offers nearly unlimited access to BSO concerts for the entire 2016-2017 season to area students (pending availability) for just $25. In addition, the BSO Student Select program includes free admission to BSO College Nights, special late-night parties held after select concerts throughout the season. BSO College Nights feature free food, prizes, drink specials and the opportunity for students to mingle with BSO musicians.
Editor's Note: BSO College Night parties are held at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall only. Admission to College Night without BSO Student Select is $10 per concert with valid student ID. BSO Student Select tickets go on sale in September 2016.
Naxos Music Library Offered Free to Subscribers
Continuing the Orchestra's ongoing relationship with the classical record label Naxos, the BSO is pleased to offer the return of the exclusive online access to the Naxos Music Library for all BSO subscribers. By subscribing to the BSO, patrons gain exclusive online access to the world's largest collection of streaming classical music. Naxos Music Library is a streaming audio music resource that features more than one million tracks, powerful tools to stimulate music education and research, the daily addition of new releases and remote access. This subscriber benefit has an estimated value of $300 per person, and is completely free to all patrons with a BSO subscription and a valid email address. More information is available at BSOmusic.org/naxos.
Subscriptions for the 2016-2017 season are on sale now. Visit BSOmusic.org or call 410.783.8000 to order. Single tickets for the general public will go on sale Monday August 1, 2016.
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