Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra Announces 2016-2017 Season

What's in store for the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra's 2016-2017 Halekulani Masterworks season? Music lovers can anticipate a season filled with color, drama and brilliance featuring superstar performers such as André Watts and William Wolfram, and the return of fan favorites Gerard Schwarz, JoAnn Falletta, and Naoto Otomo all showcasing beloved repertoire and masterworks by Bernstein, Gershwin, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, and much more. Masterworks subscriptions are on sale now at hawaiisymphonyorchestra.org or by calling 94-MUSIC (946-8742). Single ticket sales begin August 1.

The season opens with "Tao Rachs!" on Saturday, October 1 and Sunday, October 2 featuring the return of 21-year-old pianist Conrad Tao, in performance of Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

"Concertgoers have much to look forward to with the HSO's 2016-2017 season, including Holst's The Planets, which will be accompanied by NASA and CGI (computer-generated imagery) video, and the HSO debut of pianist Sean Kennard, who studied under the late, Ellen Masaki and is an alumnus of Punahou School," said Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Jonathan Parrish. "We're especially honored that conductor JoAnn Falletta will return in December to ring in the New Year with two performances of a double-bill featuring Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and Strauss's Death and Transfiguration."

Highlights of the season promise to be the HSO debuts of violinist Ray Chen and conductor Jun Märkl; the triumphant return of violinist Augustin Hadelich and pianist Conrad Tao; and the world premiere of Anders Paulsson's Kumulipo Reflections - based on the Hawaiian Creation Chant and featuring Aaron Mahi performing the oli. Concertgoers will especially want to save the date for 'Made in America' on January 8- the only all-American program of the season featuring pianist William Wolfram in Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F major.

"The HSO is also thrilled to feature the Brahms Double Concerto and two of our local musicians who are making a splash on the world stage: HSO Principal Cellist Mark Votapek and HSO Concertmaster Iggy Jang," continued Parrish. "The season concludes with a star-studded performance featuring conductor Naoto Otomo and pianist André Watts in a program highlighting Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 and Stravinsky's The Firebird. There's something for everyone this season, from intriguing new works to the masterpieces we know and love. We invite all music lovers to experience the magic of live symphonic music with the HSO."

"The 2016-2017 season will be a blend between satisfying tunes and appealing novelties," said Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Ignace "Iggy" Jang. "The mellifluous Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, the grandiose Stravinsky Firebird, but also music by award-winning composer John Corigliano, a world premiere by Anders Paulsson and other hidden gems."

"I would like audiences to view the HSO institution the same way they view their favorite theme park or even the Louvre Museum in Paris," continued Jang. "You have an idea of what's inside, though you don't always know what's playing or who's playing at any given time. But one thing's for sure, you'll always find uncompromising quality from the musicians of the orchestra, soloists and conductors. That's what we strive for: to bring culture and entertainment to all kinds of audiences. What we also strive for, which most people aren't aware of, is bringing music education to students of all backgrounds."

This season, the HSO warmly encourages concertgoers to beat traffic and arrive an hour before show time to enjoy pre-concert talks, hosted by Concertmaster Iggy Jang. This is an excellent opportunity to find out what goes on backstage and little secrets you won't learn anywhere else.

For more information, call the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra Box Office (808) 94-MUSIC - (808) 946-8742 from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

About the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra

The Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra was founded in 2011 and made its debut in 2012. The new HSO carries on the legacy of the Honolulu Symphony, which was founded in 1900 and performed for more than a century. The orchestra employs 84 professional musicians and presents classical masterworks, pops, educational and community programs.

The mission of the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra is to present the highest-quality performances of great music, bringing national and international distinction to the orchestra and its community; to delight and educate audiences of all ages and backgrounds, and enhance the cultural vitality and quality of life in these Islands; and to operate in a financially sound manner.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.HawaiiSymphonyOrchestra.org. Share your Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra experience with the #HiSymphony hashtag on Twitter and Instagram @HawaiiSymphonyOrchestra

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