FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Nicole Gallego
New Haven Symphony Orchestra
(203) 931-2991
ngallego@newhavensymphony.org
BEETHOVEN AND BEYOND
The Fairfield County Series
Thursday, July 18, 2009, New Haven, CT. The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) and Music Director William Boughton are proud to announce their 2009-10 Fairfield County concert series. The series will consist of seven symphony concerts and three pops concerts at four venues: New Canaan High School; Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield University; Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield; and Shelton Intermediate School. In addition to the concert performances, the NHSO seeks creative partnership opportunities through community engagement programs which connect the NHSO and its musicians with schools, arts organizations, libraries, and other community forums.
The Symphony Series—“Beethoven and Beyond”, explores the revolutionary nature of Beethoven’s complete symphonies alongside other significant works of the period, juxtaposed with two revolutionary voices of the 21st century, Augusta Read Thomas and Jin Hi Kim who will be composers-in-residence with the NHSO for the next two seasons.
The series opens on September 23 at New Canaan High School with Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 and Walton’s Violin Concerto with superb violinist Kurt Nikkanen. New Haven cellist Mihai Marica introduces Augusta Read Thomas’ Ritual Incantations, October 13 alongside Mozart’s Symphony No. 32 and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. November 15 heralds the New Haven debut of pianist Irena Koblar performing Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto, contrasted with Webern’s soulful Langsamer Satz and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2. A Classical Celebration ensues on February 19 with Schubert’s Symphony No. 3, Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 with soloist Ani Kavafian, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 enhanced by the meditative touch of Read Thomas’ Prayer and Celebration. On March 26 melt into the beauty of Schoenberg’s Verklarte Nacht contrasted with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3. Our April 24 concert introduces Jin Hi Kim’s colorful Monk Dances providing a point of reflection between Beethoven’s Fifth and Sixth symphonies—originally premiered on the same program. The season draws to a powerful close on May 15 with Beethoven’s Eighth and Ninth symphonies.
Associate Conductor Gerald Steichen will lead all three concerts for our Shelton Pops Series this season. In addition to the ever-popular Holiday Extravaganza with the Elm City Girls Choir, December 13 (Shelton) and 19 (Quick Center), we will present A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald on October 11 (Shelton). Revered as “The First Lady of Song”, Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century, winning 13 Grammy awards and selling over 40 million albums for her renditions of hits like A-tisket, a-tasket, Mack the Knife and many more. Closing out the season on February 14 —My Irish Valentine (Shelton). Treat your sweetheart to a very special afternoon of the most romantic music of all time. Conductor Jerry Steichen will read your dedications from the stage.
For further information visit our website site at www.newhavensymphony.org or call Aric Isaacs at 203.865.0831 or aisaacs@newhavensymphony.org.
All programs subject to change without notice.
