San Antonio Symphony Announces 2015 Strauss Festival Lineup; Runs 1/4-2/22

The San Antonio Symphony along with numerous festival partners is poised to begin its fifth annual city-wide winter composer festival, this year focusing on the late-Romantic German composer Richard Strauss. Opening in January, the Festival features a wealth of music by Strauss, including a collaboration with OPERA San Antonio for an undertaking of his epic opera Salome.

"Richard Strauss was a master of composition with a unique genius for painting vivid musical portraits using the orchestra as his canvas," said Music Director Sebastian Lang-Lessing, who serves as the Festival's curator. "His expressiveness and utilization of tone and color resulted in a creative legacy of compositions stretching from operas to tone poems, from concertos to sublime vocal music, and much more. Our festival is dedicated to the astonishing, and sometimes shocking, music of Richard Strauss, still beloved in concert halls everywhere."

Prominently featured in the Symphony's Strauss Festival concerts are his monumental orchestral tone poems, including Don Juan, Death and Transfiguration, Ein Heldenleben ("A Hero's Life") and Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks. In the production of Salome, based on the play by Oscar Wilde, soprano Patricia Racette will appear in the title role in the first fully-staged OPERA San Antonio production in the H-E-B Performance Hall. Other highlights of the Festival include the magnificent Requiem by Mozart, who was an enormous influence on Strauss, as well compositions by composers such as Erich Korngold who was inspired by Strauss, and Ravel, who like Strauss, sought to discover new orchestral colors. In celebration of the Symphony's 75th anniversary, super star Renée Fleming opened the San Antonio Symphony's 2014-15 season with Strauss's Four Last Songs, which had its United States premiere in San Antonio.

The Festival brings full circle to Strauss works that were originally premiered by the San Antonio Symphony under founding music director Max Reiter, including Josephslegende, Symphonic Fragment and the Symphonic Fantasy on Die Frau ohne Schatten. In keeping with its history of presenting world premieres, the Symphony's continuing series of recently commissioned "American Preludes" are also included in the festival.

During these seven weeks of concerts, the Festival's artistic partners will present music of opera, chamber music and choral music by Straussand others. The artistic partners joining the Symphony to celebrate some of Strauss's famous repertoire include Ballet San Antonio, Barshop Jewish Community Center, Camerata San Antonio, The Children's Chorus of San Antonio, Musical Bridges Around the World, Musical Offerings and San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet, San Antonio International Piano Competition, OPERA San Antonio, San Antonio Mastersingers, San Antonio Choral Society, SOLI Chamber Ensemble, and the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio.

From January 4 to February 22, performances and discussions will take place at various venues around the city including Barshop Jewish Community Center of San Antonio, The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, the McNay Art Museum, San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio Museum of Art, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Trinity University and the University of Incarnate Word Concert Hall.

This is the fifth consecutive season the Symphony has presented a city-wide composer festival. Antonín Dvo?ák was featured in 2014, Brahms in 2013, Beethoven in 2012 and Tchaikovsky in 2011.

For a complete concert schedule, visit http://strausssa.org.

About the San Antonio Symphony: The San Antonio Symphony is a non-profit performing arts organization with the mission to inspire and enrich our community by vigorously influencing the artistic fabric of San Antonio through excellent symphonic performance, education and service. The San Antonio Symphony, with more than 70 professional musicians, serves over 130,000 people per year including 45,000 students. To purchase tickets, call the Tobin Center Box Office at (210) 223-8624.

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SAN ANTONIO SYMPHONY - 2015 RICHARD STRAUSS FESTIVAL:

BARSHOP JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF SAN ANTONIO
January 4, 2015, 6:00 p.m.
JCC Holzman Auditorium / 12500 NW Military Hwy / San Antonio, TX 78231
Strauss Festival Panel Discussion & Chamber Concert

Strauss had a relationship of convenience with Adolf Hitler, purportedly in the hopes to promote German art, culture, and music. To gain an in-depth understanding of how Strauss's personal choices during the 1930s and 1940s left an impression on, not only the music he composed, but also on his legacy as a man, join Steven G. Kellman Ph.D., professor of comparative literature at UTSA, Maxine Cohen, Holocaust educator and David S. Gross, president of the San Antonio Symphony as they discuss and take questions from the audience.

The evening will be complemented by performances from musicians of the San Antonio Symphony previewing works of Straussthat are to be performed as part of the festival.

This is a free concert.

Concert Info: http://www.jccsanantonio.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=Art%20%26%20Music%20Events&category=Arts%20and%20Culture

Tickets: http://www.jccsanantonio.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=Art%20%26%20Music%20Events&category=Arts%20and%20Culture

Barshop Jewish Community Center Home page: http://www.jccsanantonio.org/

CAMERATA SAN ANTONIO
January 7, 2015, 7:30 p.m.
Chamber Music Masters
Alvarez Family Theater at The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
Anastasia Storer and Matthew Zerweck, violin
Marisa Bushman and Emily Freudigman, viola
Ken Freudigman and Lachezar Kostov, cello

Mozart String Quartet in B-flat major, K. 458 "Hunt"
Strauss Sextet from Capriccio
Korngold Sextet, Op. 10

Concert Info: http://www.cameratasa.org/merchandise.htm

Tickets: https://tobi.tobincenter.org/online/seatSelect.asp?BOset::WSmap::seatmap::performance_ids=8930CB27-545C-4886-8D3B-A73071A7CA01

Camerata Home page: http://www.cameratasa.org/index.html

OPERA SAN ANTONIO
Thursday, January 8, 2015, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 11, 2015, 2:00 p.m.
H-E-B Performance Hall at The Tobin Center
San Antonio Symphony
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor
Patricia Racette, soprano / Alan Held, bass-baritone
Allan Glassman, tenor / Michelle DeYoung, mezzo-soprano

Richard Strauss Salome

Salome is Richard Strauss's one-act opera of obsession and revenge. Based on the play by Oscar Wilde, the opera has astonished audiences since its premiere on December 9th, 1905. The combination of the biblical theme, the erotic Dance of the Seven Veils, and the murderous ends of Jochanaan and Salome inspired Oscar Wilde. It will be OPERA San Antonio's first mainstage production in the H-E-B Performance Hall of the Tobin Center.

A cast of great artists will take on this complex narrative. The celebrated American diva, Patricia Racette, who has been a regular presence in major opera houses internationally, will sing the vocally and physically taxing role for the first time in a staged presentation. Allan Glassman is Herod, who is consumed by lust for his step-daughter, Salome. Michelle deYoung is Herodias, Herod's vengeful wife. Jochanaan, the object of Salome's passion, will be sung by Alan Held, and Narraboth, who loves Salome, is Brian Jagde.

Concert Info: http://operasa.org/salome.php

Tickets: https://tobi.tobincenter.org/OperaSA/online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=511631DE-CC11-4E4E-B021-31961B275FC2

Opera San Antonio Home page: http://operasa.org/

SAN ANTONIO SYMPHONY: REQUIEM
January 16 & 17, 2015, 8:00 p.m.
H-E-B Performance Hall at The Tobin Center
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor
San Antonio Symphony Mastersingers, John Silantien, director
Soloists, TBD

AARON JAY KERNIS Whisper, Echo, and a Cry
MOZART Overture to Don Giovanni
STRAUSS Tod und Verklärung
MOZART Requiem in D minor

The San Antonio Symphony's Strauss Festival performances open with the music of Richard Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in works portraying the struggles and redemption of mankind, and the terror of unrepentance.

Concert Info: http://www.sasymphony.org/2014/05/strauss-festival-requiem/

Tickets: https://tobi.tobincenter.org/SanAntonioSymphony/online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=C70630C6-D072-4A37-B5B0-2C1E6712931B

SAS Home page: http://www.sasymphony.org/

YOUTH ORCHESTRAS OF SAN ANTONIO
January 23 & 24, 2015, 7:45 pm
Lobby of The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
YOSA Philharmonic
John Zarco, conductor

Strauss Serenade in E-flat major, Op. 7

(pre-show performance before San Antonio Symphony "Strauss Festival: Don Juan" concerts)

Concert Info: http://www.sasymphony.org/2014/05/strauss-festival-don-juan/

Tickets: http://www.sasymphony.org/2014/05/strauss-festival-don-juan/

Home page: http://www.yosa.org/

SAN ANTONIO SYMPHONY: DON JUAN
January 23 & 24, 2015, 8:00 p.m.
H-E-B Performance Hall at The Tobin Center
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor | Daniel Hope, violin

DOUG BALLIETT I'm Sorry Texas
STRAUSS Don Juan
KORNGOLD Violin Concerto
STRAUSS Josephs-Legende
STRAUSS Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche

Unequaled master of the tone poem, Richard Strauss paints a breathtaking picture of the amorous rogue, Don Juan. Phenomenal music and stunningly powerful, this is musical storytelling at its best.

Concert Info: http://www.sasymphony.org/2014/05/strauss-festival-don-juan/

Tickets: https://tobi.tobincenter.org/SanAntonioSymphony/online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=FFC9471E-6450-42C8-A0B0-5F9A13A2275F

SAS Home page: http://www.sasymphony.org/

SAN ANTONIO SYMPHONY: DISCOVER: TILL EULENSPIEGEL
January 25, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.
H-E-B Performance Hall at The Tobin Center
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor

Discover the legendary prankster Till Eulenspiegel as this music tale reveals the exploits of a rogue. The program will include a discussion with Sebastian Lang-Lessing and video close-ups of the orchestra

Concert Info: http://www.sasymphony.org/2014/11/discover-till-eulenspiegel/

Tickets:
https://tobi.tobincenter.org/SanAntonioSymphony/online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=384E178C-E7BE-476A-8833-012A8E29198D&menu_id=8236A08F-0F5A-4456-8752-6060D6E2CB26&sToken=1%2C92bf2f2e%2C546f7d0c%2CF7EC568C-E2EE-48C0-BD6D-49F880752447%2C1T8Odb5qlP%2FynFveTSZiNssfZAM%3D

SAS Home page: http://www.sasymphony.org/

SAN ANTONIO MUSEUM OF ART
January 26, 2015, 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Music at the Museum
San Antonio Museum of Art: Great Hall
Featuring members of the San Antonio Symphony

Wine and Hors d'oeuvres | 5:30p.m. with a Silent Auction and Wine Pull
Reception Music by Churchill High School Orchestra

Concert of the Richard Strauss Festival | 6:45p.m. Featuring members of the San Antonio Symphony

Coffee and Desserts | 8:00p.m.

Tickets: $50.00, available at samuseum.org/calendar or mail checks payable to San Antonio Museum of Art, Attn: Moira Allen

For information: (210) 978-8121

Concert Info: https://www.samuseum.org/calendar/event-detail?eid=5878

Tickets: https://www.samuseum.org/component/ixxocart/?p=product&id=527

San Antonio Museum of Art Home page: https://www.samuseum.org/

SAN ANTONIO SYMPHONY: LA VALSE
January 30 & 31, 2015, 8:00 p.m.
H-E-B Performance Hall at The Tobin Center
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor | Michel Dalberto, piano

ROBERT XAVIER RODRÍGUEZ American Prelude
STRAUSS Der Rosenkavalier: First Waltz Sequence
RAVEL Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
STRAUSS Burleske
RAVEL Valses et nobles sentimentales
RAVEL La Valse

The Strauss Festival continues with a dazzling mix of heroism and poetic loveliness with music of Strauss and Ravel linked by waltz flavors ranging from the swirling dance clouds of Ravel's La Valse to the delightfully sweet sounds of old-fashioned Viennese waltzes from Rosenkavalier.

Concert Info: http://www.sasymphony.org/2014/05/strauss-festival-la-valse/

Tickets: https://tobi.tobincenter.org/SanAntonioSymphony/online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=D410D753-A5FA-432E-A368-F25F556E4885

SAS Home page: http://www.sasymphony.org/

MUSICAL BRIDGES AROUND THE WORLD
February 1, 2015, 6: 30 p.m.
San Fernando Cathedral / 115 Main Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205
Canellakis-Brown Duo-Strauss & Golden Greece

Richard Strauss Sonata for cello and piano in F major, Op 6 (TrV 115)
Chopin Sonata for Cello and Piano, G-minor , Op, 65
Bulgarian/Canellakis Folk Arrangement

Free and Open to the Public

Concert Info: http://www.musicalbridges.org/index.php/concerts/musical-evenings-at-san-fernando-cathedral

Tickets: http://www.musicalbridges.org/index.php/concerts/musical-evenings-at-san-fernando-cathedral

Musical Bridges Home page: http://www.musicalbridges.org/

SAN ANTONIO SYMPHONY: HELDENLEBEN
February 6 & 7, 2015, 8:00 p.m.
H-E-B Performance Hall at The Tobin Center
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor | Eric Gratz, violin

JUAN DAVID OSORIO American Prelude
J. STRAUSS, JR Künstlerleben Waltz
R. STRAUSS Symphonic Fantasy on Die Frau ohne Schatten
R. STRAUSS Ein Heldenleben

A Hero's Life. Has Richard Strauss written about himself as the hero of this splendid work? As you bask in the glory of this triumphant piece, hear a parade of snippets from his other daring orchestral canvases and decide for yourself.

Concert Info: http://www.sasymphony.org/2014/05/strauss-festival-heldenleben/

Tickets: https://tobi.tobincenter.org/SanAntonioSymphony/online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::article_id=117A145D-6DE1-4A1B-8C8C-A2E3CB67B716

SAS Home page: http://www.sasymphony.org/

MUSICAL OFFERINGS / SAN ANTONIO METROPOLITAN BALLET
February 8, 2015, 2:30 p.m.
McNay Art Museum, Leeper Auditorium / 6000 N. New Braunfels, San Antonio, TX 78209

Musical Offerings and the San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet will co-present a special concert in the McNay's Leeper Auditorium in conjunction with the Symphony-sponsored Strauss Festival.

Concert Info: https://www.sametballet.org/calendar.html

Tickets: https://www.sametballet.org/calendar.html

San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet Home page: https://www.sametballet.org/home.html

SAN ANTONIO CHORAL SOCIETY
February 14, 2015, 8:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. reception at Radius)
February 15, 2015, 3:00 p.m. (2:00 p.m. reception at Radius)
Carlos Alvarez Studio Theatre at The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
Pops: My Jazzy Valentine

The Choral Society will make their Pops debut at The Tobin Center with My Jazzy Valentine. The program will include an eclectic blend of jazz and swing favorites. Singers will be accompanied by the city's finest jazz musicians.

Concert Info: https://tobi.tobincenter.org/Online/seatSelect.asp

Tickets: https://tobi.tobincenter.org/Online/default.asp?sToken=1%2Cbc66f1ff%2C546f8636%2C0053277E-FAA2-4DE0-BEF4-AEFC2C71E0DE%2CjQJPDwQpp3C39AvTiFV%2BqwO1INw%3D&BOset::WScontent::SearchResultsInfo::current_page=5&doWork::WScontent::getPage=&BOparam::WScontent::getPage::article_id=384E178C-E7BE-476A-8833-012A8E29198D

San Antonio Choral Society Home page: http://sachoralsociety.org/index.html

SOLI CHAMBER ENSEMBLE / BALLET SANANTONIO
February 16, 2015, 7:30 p.m. (7:00 p.m. pre-concert talk)
Carlos Alvarez Studio Theatre at The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
February 17, 2015, 7:30 p.m. (7:00 p.m. pre-concert talk)
Ruth Taylor Recital Hall, Trinity University 7:00PM Pre-Concert Talks

In conjunction with the San Antonio Symphony's Strauss Festival, SOLI celebrates the music of Richard Strauss with DANCE: "Metamorphosis."

Using Strauss' iconic work Metamorphosen as a launching point, SOLI joins collaborative forces with fellow Tobin resident, Ballet San Antonio, to premiere a new realization of the Strauss classic arranged for SOLI's unique instrumentation and with original choreography by Ballet San Antonio's Artistic Director, Gabriel Zertuche. Continuing the theme, SOLI's musical magic and Zertuche's choreography transfigure the entire program, featuring works by Phillip Glass, Alexandra Gardner, John Kameel Farah and more.

Concert Info: http://www.solichamberensemble.com/#!dance/

Tickets: https://www.tobincenter.org/box-office/2015-02/dance

SOLI Chamber Ensemble Home page: http://www.solichamberensemble.com/

SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
February 21, 2015, 8:00 p.m.
Yejin Noh Piano Series Concert
University of Incarnate Word Concert Hall / 4301 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78209

2012 San Antonio International Piano Competition winner of the "Best Performance of the Commissioned Work" category: Yejin Noh in concert.

Concert Info: http://www.saipc.org/

Tickets: http://www.saipc.org/

San Antonio International Piano Competition Home page: http://www.saipc.org/

THE CHILDREN'S CHORUS OF SAN ANTONIO
February 22, 2015, 5:00 p.m.
St. Mark's Episcopal Church / 315 E Pecan St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Music from St. Mark's | Bernstein: MASS

Our young artists will partner with the St. Mark's Choir to present the reduced-concert version of Leonard Bernstein's Mass.

Admission is free.

Concert Info: http://childrenschorussa.org/all-concerts/

Tickets: http://childrenschorussa.org/all-concerts/

Children's Chorus Home page: http://childrenschorussa.org/

YOUTH ORCHESTRAS OF SAN ANTONIO
February 22, 2015, 7:00 p.m.
H-E-B Performance Hall at The Tobin Center
YOSA Philharmonic
Branford Marsalis, alto saxophone
Troy Peters and John Zarco, conductors

Bunch Supermaximum
Glazunov Alto Saxophone Concerto
Schulhoff/Bennett Jazz Concerto ("Hot Sonata")
Strauss Serenade, Op. 7
Elgar Enigma Variations

Concert Info: http://www.yosa.org/general/branford-marsalis/

Tickets: https://tobi.tobincenter.org/Online/mapSelect.asp

YOSA Home page: http://www.yosa.org/

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