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Austin360 blogs > Austin Arts: Seeing Things > Archives > 2008 > April > 23
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Austin Symphony Orchestra announces new season
A solo concert by famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma and a world premiere of a piece specifically for the Long Center’s Dell Hall by noted composer Christopher Theofanidis and electroacoustic music pioneer Mark Wingate are just two of the highlights of the Austin Symphony Orchestra’s 2008-2009 season, which was announced Wednesday.
Maestro Peter Bay made the announcement on the Long Center’s City Terrace with a fanfare provided by the symphony’s brass quintet.
Also on the schedule next season is the premiere of Austin composer Dan Welcher’s Symphony No. 5. Conspirare, Austin’s Grammy-nominated choral group, will join the symphony May 15-16, 2009, for Mahler’s mighty “Resurrection” Symphony No. 2 in C Minor.
Other special guests include famed British flutists Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway, Austin pianist Anton Nel, violinist Sarah Chang and pianist Jon Nakamatsu, whose recording of Gershwin music with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra spent 27 weeks in Billboard’s top classical charts last year, peaking at an impressive number 3 position. Nakamatsu will play Gerswhin’s Piano Concerto in F Major. The all-American concert will also feature works by Roy Harris and Leonard Bernstein.
The Long Center’s Dell Hall will be celebrated with the innovative collaboration between Theofanidis and Wingate. The as yet untitled suite of five short pieces will employ both the symphony orchestra and Wingate’s live surround-sound samplings. Theofandis and Wingate were in town recently to explore the Dell Hall and find inspiration in the venue’s architecture and acoustic possibilities.
The Texas-born award-winning Theofanidis received national kudos and attention this year for “The Refuge,” his massive musical and community event for the Houston Grand Opera inspired by Houston’s polyglot immigrant community and involving the opera’s singers and community performers. Wingate, by the way, received his doctorate in composition from the University of Texas.
Hats off to Bay for pursuing such a ground-breaking commission perfect for Austin and the new Long Center.
Peter Bay on the stage of the Long Center’s Dell Hall.
For tickets and more information go to the Austin Symphony Orchetra’s Web site.
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