looking forward

If you’re an OSO subscriber, you either got your 2009-2010 season brochure yesterday or will be getting it sometime today.  There’s a lot to look forward to!  Here are the concerts that I’m most looking forward to.

There are several specials that would have me standing in line for tickets right away (if I didn’t already have a great seat):

• Cirque de la Symphonie [Sept 12, 2009] – a collaboration between the orchestra and veteran members of the unbelievable Cirque du Soleil.
• Béla, Edgar and Friends – so many virtuoso musicians at the tops of their game, I can’t wait for this one!
• Video Games Live [Nov. 7-8, 2009] – I’ve heard from many musicians that this is a great show, and draws rabid fans – a unique experience.
• Max Raabe & Palast Orchester [Feb. 24, 2010] – those in the know say that this group does the Pink Martini formula even better than Pink does…

Classical A series:

• John Kimura Parker [Oct. 3-5, 2009] – it’s so great to have Jackie back in town, and he’s playing the monumental Brahms First Concerto, plus the strings of the OSO get to sink their teeth into the Bartók Divertimento – great stuff!
• Mozart Wind Ensemble [Nov. 21-23, 2009] – a real treat, to hear our great wind principals in Mozart’s Symphonia Concertante in its version for flute, oboe, bassoon and horn.
• Dvoràk Cello Concerto [May 8-10, 2010] – Dutch cellist Quirine Viersen will play this most soulful of cello concertos, and the program includes Newly Drawn Sky by Aaron Jay Kernis.

Classical B series:

• Bernstein Age of Anxiety [Oct. 17-19, 2009] – I’ve always loved this piece for piano and orchestra, which is more like a symphony for piano and orchestra than a true concerto.  Kiril Gerstein is an electrifying performer, and it should be a great performance.
• Zukerman plays Brahms [Apr. 10-12, 2010] – It will be interesting to see how Pinky does as a conductor, his only previous appearance since I’ve been here has been only as soloist.  His wife, Amanda Forsyth, will join him for the great Brahms Double Concerto.
• Bronfman plays Bartók [Dec. 5-7, 2009] – Yefim Bronfman is one of the top pianists playing today, and to hear him perform the Bartók Second Concerto will be an amazing experience, plus hear the first and last Haydn symphonies for good measure.
• Mahler’s Titan [May 22-24, 2010] – Violinist Elina Vähälä (last seen in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons) returns to play the little-known but extraordinary Britten Violin Concerto, and Carlos Kalmar conducts Mahler’s mighty First Symphony.

Classical C series:

• Angela Hewitt plays Mozart [Feb. 20-21, 2010] – It’s been way too long since Hewitt has appeared with the OSO, and to hear her play Mozart should be a treat.  And it’s hard to miss with Berlioz’s Symphony Fantastique and Gregory Vajda.
• Ravel’s Left Hand Concerto [Jan. 30-31, 2010] – The Ravel will be great, but I’m most looking forward to the suite from Thomas Adés’ opera Powder Her Face.  Plus Mozart with Carlos always sparkles.
• Strauss the Bourgeois [Mar. 14, 2010] – If you haven’t heard Strauss’ Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, you will be surprised.  It’s a lighter, more chamber music-like work that features major solo turns by our concertmaster Jun Iwasaki and principal cellist Nancy Ives.

Beethoven Festival – this is a highlight all to itself, with all five piano concertos played by Arnaldo Cohen, plus the three Lenore overtures, and the Triple Concerto with Jun Iwasaki, violin; Quirine Viersen, cello; and Arnaldo Cohen, piano.  Not to be missed!