St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Celebrates David Roberston In His Final Season As Music Director

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra honors the legacy of Music Director David Robertson, whose remarkable 13-year tenure will conclude at the close the SLSO's 138th season. Defined by musical excellence, widespread acclaim, artistic partnerships, innovative programing, Grammy award-winning recordings, and unprecedented orchestral achievements, the Robertson era is recognized as one of this storied institution's most illuminating. The SLSO's 2017/2018 season pays tribute to Robertson as both a musical visionary and a man of the people, who built the SLSO into a 21st-century orchestrA. Robertson's farewell season includes a celebration of Mozart, a California tour, and a season finale featuring Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra joining forces with the SLSO to perform Marsalis' Swing Symphony.

Robertson said: "A goal for programming the upcoming season was to share with our audiences - both those who are sitting at Powell Hall and those who join us from around the globe via live broadcasts - the breadth of programming that is possible with a venue such as Powell Hall. I believe we have an absolutely thrilling season. Every time I walk on stage with this orchestra, I am filled with delight. It's been an incredible privilege to musically lead this organization."

Visit Launching a Legacy for a special narrative about Robertson's tenure with the SLSO.

Farewell season highlights include:

• Robertson will open the 2017/2018 season with a two-week celebration of Mozart, including six piano concertos with Emanuel Ax (September 23 - October 1, 2017). For the season finale, Robertson will treat audiences to Swing Symphony featuring Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (May 4, 5, & 6, 2018).
• Robertson will join pianist Orli Shaham, who is his wife and a frequent SLSO guest artist, on stage at Powell Hall for a special performance of Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (October 21 & 22, 2017).
• Additionally, John Adams' Violin Concerto, which was recorded live at Powell Hall in September of 2016, with Leila Josefowicz and Robertson will be released on Nonesuch Records during the 17/18 season.
• The 17/18 season will also Mark Robertson's fourth California tour with the SLSO. The one-week tour includes four performances in four California cities: Palm Desert at the McCallum Theatre; Santa Barbara at the Granada Theatre; Davis at the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, University of California, Davis; and Palo Alto at the Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University (January 15-19, 2018).
• Other season highlights include: Beethoven's Missa solemnis (November 18 & 19, 2017), the annual BMO Private Bank New Year's Eve Concert (December 31, 2017), John Adams' Harmonielehre (January 26 & 27, 2018), and Bruckner Symphony No. 4 (April 27 & 28, 2018).

· Robertson's extraordinary musical contributions will be recognized at the SLSO's annual black-tie fundraising gala. The gala will include a special performance from Robertson and pianist Simon Trp?eski (April 14, 2018).

• Robertson's Saturday Subscription Concerts Series will be broadcast live on St. Louis Public Radio, 90.7 -KWMU. For a complete schedule visit http://stlpublicradio.org/symphony.

About David Robertson

A compelling communicator and innovative programmer with a vast symphonic and operatic repertoire, David Robertson is currently in his 13th as music director of the storied St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as chief conductor and artistic director of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in Australia and has previously been principal guest conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Orchestra National de Lyon and the Ensemble Intercontemporain in Paris. As music director of the SLSO, Robertson has solidified the orchestra's standing as one of the nation's most enduring and innovative. His established relationships with artists and composers is deeply rooted, and is evidenced by the orchestra's strong relationship with composer John Adams. Their 2014 release of City Noir (Nonesuch Records)-comprising works by Adams performed by the SLSO with Robertson-won the Grammy Award for best orchestral performance. Robertson is devoted to supporting young musicians and has worked with students at festivals in Aspen, Tanglewood, Lucerne, at the Paris Conservatoire, the Juilliard School, Music Academy of the West, and the National Orchestra Institute. In 2014, he led the USA Coast to Coast tour of the National Youth Orchestra of Carnegie Hall. Musical America's conductor of the year in 2000, Robertson is the recipient of numerous honorary doctorates. He was elected a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2010 and awarded the Chevalier de l'Ordres des Arts et des Lettres in 2011. He is married to pianist Orli Shaham and has four children.

About the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1880 and now in its 138th season, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the country and widely considered one of the world's finest. Under the leadership of Music Director David Robertson, currently in his 13th season, the SLSO strives for artistic excellence, educational impact and community connection while meeting its mission statement: enriching people's lives through the power of music. The SLSO presents a full season of classical programs and Live at Powell Hall concerts and hundreds of free education and community programs each year. Media partners include St. Louis Public Radio, 90.7 -KWMU, which broadcasts the SLSO's Saturday night subscription concerts live + The Nine Network, which regularly features SLSO performances on its Night at the Symphony program. In addition, the SLSO is known for its Grammy Award-winning recordings, Carnegie Hall appearances, national and international tours, innovative programming and extensive community engagement initiatives. www.slso.org

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