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The Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC

Category: Performances  |  Posted: March 25, 2010

The Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC

Saratoga Performing Arts Center has announced the 2010 summer season of The Philadelphia Orchestra presented by HSBC Bank USA, N.A., August 4 - 21.

Led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Charles Dutoit, the three-week program of classical and contemporary masterpieces includes major works by Stravinsky, Beethoven, and Brahms, a special guest appearance by Alec Baldwin who will narrate Prokofiev's classic Peter and the Wolf, a "Farewell Concert" with Charles Dutoit and Chantal Juillet, renowned soloists including Yo-Yo Ma, Sarah Chang and Garrick Ohlsson and "Cirque de la Symphonie," a fusion of cirque entertainment and classical music that makes its SPAC debut this season.

Orchestral Highlights

Opening Night (August 4) will feature Stravinsky's THE RITE OF SPRING, widely considered the seminal orchestral work of the twentieth century. Originally written by Stravinsky for Sergei Diaghilev's groundbreaking Ballets Russes, the premiere of the piece in Paris in 1913 provoked outrage and riotous protests from the audience. People were scandalized by the work's startling costumes, unusual choreography, bizarre story of pagan sacrifice, and its score which was defined by dissonant harmonies and jarring rhythms. Yet, eventually the composition came to be viewed as a landmark of modernism and one of the true musical masterpieces of the twentieth century.

Stravinsky's first commission for Diaghilev's Ballet Russes and the one that made him an overnight success at the age of 28 was The Firebird. Based on a Russian folk tale about a magical bird, the work centers on the hero Ivan who enlists the bird to help him free 13 princesses who are being held captive by the evil Kastchei the Deathless. Stravinsky's score is highly colorful, imaginative and melodious. THE FIREBIRD SUITE, a 20-minute suite Stravinsky drew from his 45-minute full ballet score, will be performed as part of the August 6 program.

On August 7, the internationally esteemed 125-member Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia will share the stage with the Orchestra to present a performance of Beethoven's SYMPHONY NO. 9. Considered a work of musical genius and one of the most important orchestral pieces in the western classical repertoire, Beethoven's Ninth is his final complete symphony and the first example of a major composer using voices in a symphony. It is defined by its grandiose scale and structure as well as the innovation of the final movement setting Friedrich Schiller's Ode to Joy for chorus and vocal soloists.

Other notable works this season include the witty OVERTURE TO THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL (Aug.14), in recognition of the Centennial of iconic American composer Samuel Barber; Gershwin's jazz-inspired PIANO CONCERTO FOR PIANO IN F (Aug.11); Debussy's imaginative, Impressionistic, LA MER (Aug.12) and Brahms's cheerful SYMPONY NO. 2 (Aug.18).  

Acclaimed Soloists

Virtuoso violinist and former child prodigy SARAH CHANG (Aug. 18) will perform Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No. 1, a work recognized for its virtuosity and expressive power. The Philadelphia-born artist, who started her violin training at age 4 and began performing professionally at age 8, is an Avery Fisher Prize winner and sought-after soloist who performs with the major orchestras and chamber ensembles around the globe. Chang has been described as "a wonder" by the New York Times and lauded for her "flawless delivery, deep musical intelligence...," by the Irish Times.

Pianist GARRICK OHLSSON (Aug. 20) is regarded as a musician of interpretive and technical prowess. One of the world's leading exponents of the music of Frédéric Chopin, Ohlsson commands an enormous repertoire, which ranges over the entire piano literature. On August 20, he will perform Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 (colloquially known as "Rach 3"), a work famous for its technical and musical demands on the performer. It has the reputation of being one of the most difficult concertos in the standard piano repertoire. The work received wide popular attention after it was made famous by the movie Shine.

classical pianist and rising star KHATIA BUNIATISHVILI (Aug. 21) who will make her SPAC and Philadelphia Orchestra debut performing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1.

Classical pianist and rising star KHATIA BUNIATISHVILI (Aug. 21) who will make her SPAC and Philadelphia Orchestra debut performing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1.

Guest Conductors

Noted conductor PETER OUNDJIAN will make his first appearance at SPAC on August 18. Oundjian, Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, is regarded as one of the most engaging figures on the conducting scene today. At the beginning of his tenure in Toronto, he created the hugely successful Mozart Festival as well as the New Creations Festival. He also holds a conducting and artistic position with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Other guest conductors appearing during the season include ROSSEN MILANOV (Aug. 13,14), Associate Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra, who makes his first conducting appearance on SPAC's stage and who has been described by the Chicago Tribune as "one who bears watching by anyone who cares about the future of music;" accomplished orchestral and opera conductor LAWRENCE FOSTER (Aug. 20, 21) currently the Music Director of the Gulbenkian Orchestra in Lisbon and the Orchestre et Opéra National de Montpellier, France; celebrated pops conductor JEFF TYZIK (Aug. 5), who holds positions as Principal Pops Conductor with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as well as with the Oregon Symphony and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and STEVEN REINEKE, Music Director of the New York Pops.

Pops Concert: Wicked Divas 

On Thursday, August 19 New York Pops Conductor Steven Reineke leads, WICKED DIVAS, a concert of diva showstoppers from Broadway, opera and popular music highlighted by several selections from Tony-award winning Broadway musical Wicked. The program also includes favorites from Gypsy, Ragtime, Titanic and opera selections from George Bizet's Carmen.  

Pre-Performance Promotions

Also announced were several pre-performance events that will occur during the Orchestra's season. The pre-events are free and open to all ticketholders for that evening's Orchestra performance. Events include:

  • Children's Workshops on the Lawn, August 20 - These fun, educational programs presented by Orchestra musicians are designed to introduce children to the joys of music and foster greater understanding of the works they will hear on stage. Workshops take place on the apron in front of the Amphitheatre.
  • CDPHP Friday Family Nights, August 20 - Children and families can enjoy free Stewart's ice cream, strolling magicians, face painting and more before Friday evening performances.
  • Thursday Date Nights, August 19 - Wine tastings, entertainment and other pre-performance attractions.
  • 1812 Overture, Saturday, August 21 -- Approximately 60 colonial re-enactors will create "living history" military encampments on SPAC's lawn. The re-enactors, who will be firing live cannons at the conclusion of the Orchestra's performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, will be dressed in period costume and offer demonstrations and discussion on life during the French & Indian and Revolutionary Wars.

Ticket prices for SPAC's Orchestra performances start at $18 for lawn seats; inside seating ranges from $31 - $72.50. The "Kids Free on the Lawn" promotion entitles children 12 and under to free lawn admission for classical performances; middle school, high school and college student lawn admission is $10. Order forms for tickets to The Philadelphia Orchestra's SPAC season are available on SPAC's website at www.spac.org or by contacting SPAC at 518.584.9330.

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