As the beginning of the 2009-2010 Oregon Symphony season comes quickly upon us, it has become time to look at what some of my personal highlights might be. I say might, because sometimes the concerts that I most look forward to fall flat, and those which I think might be nothing special turn out to be amazing experiences. Enough idle chatting – here’s my pre-season highlight list:
Cirque du Soleil
Cirque de la Symphonie – Sept. 12 – 13, 2009
Cirque du Soleil + the Oregon Symphony = something great.
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Kiril Gerstein
Bach, Beethoven and Bernstein – October 17 – 19, 2009
Electrifying pianist Kiril Gerstein returns to play Bernstein’s unique The Age of Anxiety for piano and orchestra.
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Mozart Wind Ensemble – November 21 – 23, 2009
A quartet of our amazing principal winds performs the Sinfonia concertante for flute, oboe, horn and bassoon.
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Yefim Bronfman
Yefim Bronfman plays Bartók – December 5 – 7, 2009
One of the world’s great pianists plays one of the great concertos of the 20th century.
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Jean Philippe Collard
Ravel’s Concerto for the Left Hand – January 30 – 31, 2010
This might be my most highly anticipated concert of the season – a great program of diverse pieces.
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Quirine Viersen
Dvorak’s Cello Concerto – May 8 – 10, 2010
Quirine Viersen is a rising star cellist from Europe, and if her performance of the Korngold Cello Concerto on video is any indication, then the Dvorak will be very special.
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Jun Iwasaki
Beethoven Festival – May 15 – 17, 2010
Arnoldo Cohen performs all of the Beethoven piano concertos plus the Triple Concerto with Jun Iwasaki and Quirine Viersen. Plus hear all of the versions of the Leonore Overtures.
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Elina Vahala
Mahler’s Titan Symphony – May 22 – 24, 2010
Performing Mahler’s First Symphony is always a great experience – add to this the great Britten Violin Concerto with the amazing violinist Elina Vahala, and it will be a great end to the season.
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