• Season showcases Leonard Slatkin's vision, influence and focus on community outreach
• DSO awarded $900K from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support Leonard Slatkin's artistic vision and recordings
• Three world premieres and 10 DSO premieres
• A continued focus on living American composers
• A 100th anniversary celebration of the birth of Samuel Barber
• Favorite well-known conductors: Sir Neville Marriner, Nicholas McGegan, Sir Roger Norrington, Andrey Boreyko, Hans Graf
• Superstar guest artists: Sir James Galway, Hélène Grimaud, Hilary Hahn, Midori, Gabriela Montero, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, André Watts, Christian Zacharias
• Other acclaimed soloists: Regina Carter, Kirill Gerstein, Joseph Kalichstein, James Tocco
• Orchestra Hall debuts: Michel Camilo, Sol Gabetta, Sharon Isbin, Henning Kraggerud, David Krakauer, Peng Peng
• DSO soloists: Emmanuelle Boisvert, Robert deMaine
• Michel Camilo is new 2009-10 Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair
• Cindy McTee is the winner of the third annual Elaine Lebenbom Memorial Award for Female Composers
• DSO to provide live concert feeds to patients at new Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
DETROIT, (Feb. 20, 2009) While the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's (DSO) 2008-2009 season at Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center has given concert-goers a taste of what to expect of DSO programming with Music Director Leonard Slatkin at the helm, the 2009-2010 classical season will be the first that Slatkin has programmed from beginning to end. Bearing all the hallmarks of signature Slatkin influences - American music, contemporary works, sparkling core repertoire and appearances by stellar soloists and guest conductors - the coming season will offer week after week of exciting and fresh concert programs.
The 2009-10 season will be highlighted tonight at 7:00 p.m. with a free community concert at Somerset Collection in Troy. Titled "The Style of Music," the event will feature a one-hour DSO concert led by Slatkin, along with a brief introduction of next season's programming by Slatkin and a fashion presentation by Somerset. The collaboration was made possible by the generous support of The Forbes Company, developers of Somerset Collection.
A passionate national advocate for music of every genre, Leonard Slatkin is known for creative programming that is accessible and intelligent. As Music Director, he will continue his mission to bring the DSO to the world by conducting a line-up of free community concerts in his second week of the 2009-2010 season as well as continuing a series of informal post-concert discussions titled "DSO Overtime." Further details on the community concerts and DSO Overtime discussions will be announced in the spring of 2009.
While Leonard Slatkin's imprint on 2009-10 programming is clearly in evidence, his physical presence in Detroit will also be very apparent as he will lead 12 of the season's 24 classical subscription concerts, including the opening weekend (Sept. 11-12) featuring violin superstar Midori performing Sibelius' Violin Concerto. These concerts also kick off the season's exploration of American music with Aaron Copland's Symphony No. 3.
American Works & Celebrating Barber
The focus on American music continues as the DSO celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Samuel Barber. The DSO has a particular affinity for Barber, having made several successful recordings of the composer's works in the 1990s under Neeme Järvi. Slatkin is also a passionate Barber advocate having recorded much of his output as well and has programmed a season-long mix of the composer's most popular works along with lesser-known gems. The salute begins (Oct. 1-3) with a Slatkin-led program featuring three favorite works: the Overture to the School for Scandal; the Adagio for Strings; and the Piano Concerto, featuring Detroit's own James Tocco. The DSO will also showcase the artistry of the Curtis Institute of Music, of which Barber is a graduate, with a special presentation by the String Quartet on Feb. 28 in the Music Box.
In all, eight Barber works will be performed throughout the season. These are among the 22 featured works by American composers, 11 of them by living, including John Williams, John Corigliano, Roberto Sierra and pianist Michel Camilo, who has also been named to the 2009-10 Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair. Camilo's Piano Concerto No. 1, which had its premiere under Slatkin with the National Symphony Orchestra 10 years ago, will have its DSO debut premiere with Slatkin and Camilo Nov. 19-21.
A native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Camilo is an Emmy Award-winning pianist and composer known for incorporating Caribbean rhythms and jazz harmonies in his composition. His recordings include Rendezvous, One More Once, Thru My Eyes, and Spain-Michel Camilo & Tomatito. Camilo has appeared as soloist with the Atlanta Symphony; Cleveland Orchestra; National Symphony Orchestra (NSO); Copenhagen Philharmonic; BBC Symphony Orchestra; National Symphony Orchestra (Dominican Republic), the Puerto Rico, Queens; Gran Canaria Philharmonic, Murcia, Málaga, RTVE, and Barcelona (Spain) symphonies; and the Carnegie Hall Big Band. The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) selected him as co-artistic director with Slatkin of the first Latin-Caribbean Music Festival at the Kennedy Center, where he also performed with his Trio and his Big Band and had the world premiere of his Concerto for Piano & Orchestra, commissioned by the NSO and conducted by Slatkin.
World and DSO Premieres
In keeping with the Maestro's commitment to contemporary music, the DSO will also perform three world premieres next season: a remarkable Klezmer Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra by Wlad Marhulets (Dec. 10-13); a Violin Concerto by jazz pianist Billy Childs, written for jazz violinist Regina Carter and co-commissioned by DSO, Oakland East Bay Symphony and the Notre Dame Symphony with generous support from the Multi-Arts Production Fund, to be performed by Carter as part of the Classical Roots series (Jan. 29 & 30); and an as yet untitled work by Cindy McTee, (June 3-6).
McTee is the winner of the 2008 Elaine Lebenbom Memorial Competition for Female Composers and is Regents Professor of Music at the University of North Texas and is the recipient of numerous awards, including Guggenheim, Fulbright and NEA Fellowships and a "Creative Connections Award" from Meet The Composer. She has been commissioned and performed by major musical organizations both nationally and internationally. The Elaine Lebenbom award is the only annual symphony orchestra-sponsored award designed solely to recognize and support the creation of new orchestral works by female composers and includes a $10,000 prize.
In additional to these world premieres, the DSO will introduce a number of works to concert-goers for the very first time. Highlighting the DSO premieres next season is Roberto Sierra's Sinfonia No. 4 (Feb. 26-28), which is the inaugural commission by the Sphinx Commissioning Consortium, an alliance between the Sphinx Organization and twelve American orchestras that seeks to build the repertoire of works by Black and Latino Composers. Sphinx Organization, a national nonprofit arts and youth development organization, is dedicated to building diversity in classical music.
Guest Conductors
For the weeks that Slatkin will not be leading the DSO, he has arranged for a superb group of guest conductors to take the podium. Returning as Principal Guest Conductor, Peter Oundjian will lead three weeks of concerts including performances of Mahler's Symphony No. 7 (Oct. 16 & 18); a Beethoven and Vaughan Williams program (Apr. 9-11); and an All Mozart program (May 13-15). Thomas Wilkins also returns, leading a concert of works by Beethoven and Grieg (Feb. 26-28) and DSO Conducting Assistant Charles Greenwell will conduct a program of Rachmaninoff and Dvořák (Oct. 23 - 25). Other guest conductors include returning favorites Andrey Boreyko leading Tchaikovsky's beloved Symphony No. 6 (Oct. 29-31); Nicholas McGegan who conducts Handel's Messiah (Dec. 6); Sir Neville Marriner leading a program of Vaughan Williams and Elgar. (Mar. 4-6); Hans Graf, conducting Mozart's Requiem (Apr. 22-24); and Sir Roger Norrington leading a performance of Schubert's "Unfinished Symphony" and Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 (May 28 & 29).
In addition, two conductors will make their DSO debuts: Christian Zacharias, who has dazzled DSO audiences as a pianist, will return to do double duty as both piano soloist and conductor for Bach's Concerto in D minor (Mar. 26 & 28); and 29-year-old Associate Conductor of the San Francisco Symphony, James Gaffigan travels to Detroit to join André Watts for Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2 (Apr. 29-May 2).
Acclaimed Soloists
The roster of guest soloists appearing with the DSO next season includes some of the biggest names in classical music, along with newcomers who are taking the world by storm. In addition to Midori (Sept. 11 & 12), other violinists returning to Orchestra Hall include Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg (Oct. 29-31), DSO concertmaster Emmanuelle Boisvert (Jan. 14-17); Hillary Hahn (Jan. 21-23); Regina Carter (Jan. 29-30); and Norwegian violinist Henning Kraggerud (May 13-15), one of Scandinavia's most sought after artists, making his DSO debut.
Pianists will include James Tocco (Oct. 1-3), Kirill Gerstein (Oct. 23-25); Michel Camilo (Nov. 19-21); Joseph Kalichstein (Nov. 27-29); Gabriela Montero (Feb. 26-28) in her DSO debut (following her appearance at President Obama's Inauguration); Christian Zacharias (Mar. 26 & 28); Hélène Grimaud (Apr. 9 -11); André Watts (Apr. 29-May 2); and the 17-year-old Chinese prodigy Peng Peng (June 3-6) in his DSO debut.
Other soloists appearing next season include guitarist Sharon Isbin performing the delightful Fantasía para un gentilhombre (Fantasy for a Gentleman) by Rodrigo (Sept. 24-27); DSO Principal Cellist Robert deMaine, featured in Richard Strauss' Don Quixote (Oct. 1-3); clarinetist David Krakauer will be featured in his DSO debut in the World Premiere of Wlad Marhulet's Klezmer Concerto (Dec. 10-13); Argentinian cellist Sol Gabetta, in her DSO debut (Feb 4 - 6); and renowned flute virtuoso Sir James Galway (Mar. 11-13).
Major Symphonic Works
Along with great artists and exciting new repertoire, Slatkin has filled the season with a rich assortment of some of the most beloved and thrilling works of the classical canon. Get your tickets early for performances of Dvořák's Symphony No. 8 (Oct. 23-25); Debussy's La Mer (Nov. 19-21); Holst's The Planets (Dec. 10-13); Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, "Eroica" (Jan. 14-17); Brahms' Symphony No. 2 (Feb. 4-6); Mozart's Requiem (Apr. 22-24); and Stravinsky's Firebird Suite (June 3-6). These are just a few of the many blockbuster works that the DSO will perform in 2009-10, which, when combined with all of Slatkin's other trademark touches, will create an unforgettable season.
DSO Initiatives and Recordings
Simultaneously with the launch of its classical season, the DSO is moving forward on a number of projects designed to continue the organization's advancement in artistic excellence, audience engagement and accessibility.
In December 2008, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded the DSO $900,000 for use over three years to support Leonard Slatkin's artistic vision for the DSO.
"We are so grateful to the Mellon Foundation for their support of Leonard's vision and our mission to cultivate our audience base and create incredible music." said Anne Parsons, CEO of the DSO.
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation's Performing Arts Program seeks to support institutions that contribute to the preservation and development of their art form, provide creative leadership in solving problems or addressing issues unique to the field, and which present the highest level of institutional performance.
Created in tandem with the vision of Slatkin, and with a portion of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation's award, the DSO has begun a series of recordings in partnership with Naxos and Koch during the current season and scheduled for 2009-2010.
"Recording remains the best way to reach the widest possible audience, "said Slatkin. "They can be a physical manifestation of what we do, as well as being heard via Internet and radio. The variety of the works we will record should help to show our commitment to the diverse nature of the orchestra's mission."
Five discs are currently planned, four in partnership with international labels Naxos and one with Koch; three of the discs are conducted by Leonard Slatkin, one by Thomas Wilkins and one by Music Director Emeritus Neeme Järvi. The following is a list of completed and planned recordings:
• Edgar Meyer/Bela Fleck/Zakir Hussain Triple Concerto (recorded live on Jan. 9-11, 2009) with Slatkin and the DSO (on Koch) with a planned release date of August 2009;
• Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2 (to be recorded live Sept. 24-27, 2009) and Vocalise (to be recorded live Sept. 11-12, 2009) with Slatkin and the DSO (on Naxos) with a planned release date of winter 2009/2010;
• Alla Borzova's Songs for Lada (recorded live Jan. 15-17, 2009) and To the New World (to be recorded live Sept. 24-27, 2009) with Slatkin and the DSO (on Naxos) with a planned release date of spring 2010;
• Hannibal Lokumbe's Dear Mrs. Parks (to be recorded live Mar. 6-8, 2009 at the DSO's Classical Roots concerts) with Thomas Wilkins and the DSO (on Naxos) with an undetermined release date;
• Michael Daugherty's Route 66, Motor City Triptych, Fire and Blood, Raise the Roof (recorded live at select performances from Sept. 1999 to Oct. 2003) with Neeme Järvi and the DSO (on Naxos) with an undetermined release date.
Live Concert Feeds at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
The DSO and Henry Ford Health System have begun an innovative partnership to provide the live music of DSO concerts in the 2009-2010 season via digital feed to patients in their rooms at the new Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.
"We are very pleased to collaborate with Henry Ford on such a unique project," said Anne Parsons. "Our aim is to bring hope and inspiration, through the healing power of music, to patients and their families who might be experiencing an otherwise challenging time."
Subscriptions on Sale Now
Subscription packages (only) are on sale now. Subscription packages start at just $120 for six Friday morning Coffee concerts (Main Floor Right). A package including 21 concerts on Saturday nights starts at just $399. For tickets and information call the box office at (313) 576-5111. Complete information about the DSO can be found online at www.detroitsymphony.com. Single tickets to all DSO presentations will go on sale in August 2009.
About the DSO
The internationally acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the fourth-oldest symphony orchestra in the United States, is known for trailblazing performances, visionary maestros and collaborations with the world's foremost musical artists. Beginning in the 2008-09 season, esteemed conductor Leonard Slatkin, called "America's Music Director" by The Los Angeles Times, became the 12th Music Director of the DSO. The DSO boasts a year-round performance schedule that includes classical, pops, jazz, world music, young people's concerts and festivals. The DSO makes its home in historic Orchestra Hall, one of America's most acoustically perfect concert halls, and actively pursues a mission to impact and serve the community through music. For more information and to purchase tickets for concerts, visit the new DSO web site at www.detroitsymphony.com or call (313) 576-5111.
DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
2009 - 2010 CLASSICAL SEASON CONCERTS & PROGRAMS
MIDORI PLAYS SIBELIUS
Leonard Slatkin, conductor / Midori, violin
DVOŘÁK Carnival Overture
RACHMANINOFF Vocalise
SIBELIUS Violin Concerto
COPLAND Symphony No. 3
Fri., Sep. 11, 8 PM
Sat., Sep. 12, 8:30 PM
ISBIN PLAYS RODRIGO
Leonard Slatkin, conductor / Sharon Isbin, guitar
ALLA BORZOVA To the New World
RODRIGO Fantasia para un gentilhombre
RACHMANINOFF Symphony No. 2
Thu., Sep. 24, 8 PM
Fri., Sep. 25, 8 PM
Sat., Sep. 26, 8:30 PM
Sun., Sep. 27, 3 PM
BARBER'S ADAGIO & DON QUIXOTE
Leonard Slatkin, conductor / James Tocco, piano / Robert deMaine, cello
BARBER Overture to the School for Scandal
BARBER Adagio for Strings
BARBER Piano Concerto
R. STRAUSS Don Quixote
Thu., Oct. 1, 8 PM
Fri., Oct. 2, 10:45 AM
Sat., Oct. 3, 8:30 PM
OUNDJIAN & MAHLER
Peter Oundjian, conductor
BEETHOVEN Fidelio Overture
WAGNER Tristan/Isolde: Prelude & Liebestod
MAHLER Symphony No. 7
Fri., Oct. 16, 8 PM
Sun., Oct. 18, 3 PM
RACHMANINOFF & DVOŘÁK
Charles Greenwell, conductor / Kirill Gerstein, piano
BARBER Essay No. 1
RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 3
DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 8
Fri., Oct. 23, 10:45 AM
Sat., Oct. 24, 8:30 PM
Sun., Oct. 25, 3 PM
SONNENBERG & TCHAIKOVSKY'S PATHÉTIQUE
Andrey Boreyko, conductor / Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, violin
PETERIS VASKS Musica Dolorosa
BARBER Violin Concerto
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6, "Pathétique"
Thu., Oct. 29, 8 PM
Fri., Oct. 30, 8 PM
Sat., Oct. 31, 8:30 PM
LA MER & MICHEL CAMILO
Leonard Slatkin, conductor / Michel Camilo, piano*
BERLIOZ Le Corsaire
DEBUSSY La Mer
GINASTERA Estancia: Four Dances
MICHEL CAMILO Piano Concerto No. 1
* Fred A. & Barbara M. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair
Thu., Nov. 19, 8 PM
Fri., Nov. 20, 10:45 PM
Sat., Nov. 21, 8:30 PM
KALICHSTEIN PLAYS MOZART
Leonard Slatkin, conductor / Joseph Kalichstein, piano
BACH/SKROWACZWESKI Toccata and Fugue
MOZART Piano Concerto No. 27
HINDEMITH Concert Music for Strings and Brass
RAVEL Menuet antique
RAVEL La Valse
Fri., Nov. 27, 8 PM
Sat., Nov. 28, 8:30 PM
Sun., Nov. 29, 3 PM
HANDEL'S MESSIAH
Nicholas McGegan, conductor
HANDEL Messiah
Sat., Dec. 5, 8:30 PM
Sun., Dec. 6, 3 PM
THE PLANETS
Leonard Slatkin, conductor / David Krakauer, clarinet
HAYDN Symphony No. 67
WLAD MARHULETS Klezmer Concerto (world premiere)
HOLST The Planets
Thu., Dec. 10, 8 PM
Fri., Dec. 11, 8 PM
Sat., Dec. 12, 8:30 PM
Sun., Dec. 13, 3 PM
BEETHOVEN'S "EROICA"
Leonard Slatkin, conductor / Emmanuelle Boisvert, violin
PURCELL Chacony in G minor
JOHN WILLIAMS Violin Concerto
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3, "Eroica"
Thu., Jan. 14, 8 PM
Fri., Jan. 15, 10:45 AM
Sat., Jan. 16, 8:30 PM
Sun., Jan. 17, 3 PM
HAHN & HIGDON
Leonard Slatkin, conductor / Hilary Hahn, violin
ROSSINI Overture to La Gazza Ladra
JENNIFER HIGDON Violin Concerto
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 5
Thu., Jan. 21, 8 PM
Fri., Jan. 22, 10:45 AM
Fri., Jan. 22, 8 PM
Sat. Jan. 23, 8:30 PM
CLASSICAL ROOTS: REGINA CARTER
Leonard Slatkin, conductor / Regina Carter, violin / Brazeal Dennard Chorale
ROSAMOND & JOHNSON Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing
OLLY WILSON Lumina
JAMES LEE III Beyond Rivers of Vision
BILLY CHILDS Violin Concerto (world premiere)
Fri., Jan. 29, 8 PM
Sat., Jan. 30, 8:30 PM
BRAHMS & BARBER
Leonard Slatkin, conductor / Sol Gabetta, cello
MENNIN Concertato for Orchestra (Moby Dick)
BARBER Cello Concerto
BRAHMS Symphony No. 2
Thu., Feb. 4, 8 PM
Fri., Feb. 5, 10:45 AM
Sat., Feb. 6, 8:30 PM
BEETHOVEN & GRIEG
Thomas Wilkins, conductor / Gabriela Montero, piano
ROBERTO SIERRA Sphinx Commission
GRIEG Piano Concerto
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 8
Fri., Feb. 26, 10:45 AM
Fri., Feb. 26, 8 PM
Sat., Feb. 27, 8:30 PM
Sun., Feb. 28, 3 PM
BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT
Sir Neville Marriner, conductor
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS The Wasps
WALTON Henry V
ELGAR Enigma Variations
Thu., Mar. 4, 8 PM
Fri., Mar. 5, 10:45 AM
Sat., Mar. 6, 8:30 PM
GALWAY'S 70TH BIRTHDAY
Leonard Slatkin, conductor / Sir James Galway, flute
BERNSTEIN Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
BARBER Symphony No. 1
JOHN CORIGLIANO Pied Piper Fantasy
Thu., Mar. 11, 8 PM
Fri., Mar. 12, 8 PM
Sat., Mar. 13, 8:30 PM
BACH & BEETHOVEN
Christian Zacharias, conductor & piano
SCHUMANN Overture, Scherzo and Finale
C.P.E. BACH Concerto in D minor
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4
Fri., Mar. 26, 10:45 AM
Fri., Mar. 26, 8 PM
Sun., Mar. 28, 3 PM
BEETHOVEN & VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Peter Oundjian, conductor / Hélène Grimaud, piano
JACQUES HÉTU Le Tombeau de Nelligan
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Symphony No. 4
Fri., Apr. 9, 10:45 AM
Sat., Apr. 10, 8:30 PM
Sun., Apr. 11, 3 PM
MOZART REQUIEM
Hans Graf, conductor / UMS Choral Union
R. STRAUSS Serenade in E. Major
R. STRAUSS Death and Transfiguration
MOZART Requiem
Thu., Apr. 22, 8 PM
Fri., Apr. 23, 8 PM
Sat., Apr. 24, 8:30 PM
WATTS PLAYS BRAHMS
James Gaffigan, conductor / Andre Watts, piano
BARBER Essay No. 2
MOZART Symphony No. 36, "Linz"
BRAHMS Piano Concerto No. 2
Thu., Apr. 29, 8 PM
Fri., Apr. 30, 10:45 AM
Sat., May 1, 8:30 PM
Sun., May 2, 3 PM
ALL MOZART
Peter Oundjian, conductor / Henning Kraggerud, violin
MOZART Overture "The Impressario"
MOZART Violin Concerto No. 4
MOZART Adagio and Fugue
MOZART Symphony No. 38, "Prague"
Thu., May 13, 8 PM
Fri., May 14, 10:45 AM
Fri., May 14, 8 PM
Sat., May 15, 8:30 PM
SIR ROGER NORRINGTON
Sir Roger Norrington, conductor
SCHUBERT Symphony No. 8 "Unfinished"
BRUCKNER Symphony No. 7
Fri., May 28, 8 PM
Sat., May 29, 8:30 PM
MOZART & LIZST
Leonard Slatkin, conductor / Peng Peng, piano
MOZART Symphony No.35 "Haffner"
LIZST Piano Concerto No. 1
CINDY McTEE Lebenbom world premiere
STRAVINKSY The Firebird Suite (1919)
Thu., Jun. 3, 8 PM
Fri., Jun. 4, 8 PM
Sat., Jun. 5, 8:30 PM
Sun., Jun. 6, 3 PM