It’s an all-American season-opener for the Fort Worth Symphony. The Great Performances Festival kicks things off in August with music by Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and George Gerswhin. Van Cliburn will join the orchestra as the narrator for Copland’s Lincoln Portrait. But then, the Canadian Tenors do manage to slip in come April.
Speaking of Van Cliburn, Haochen Zang (left), the gold medalist and youngest participant in the 2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, will close the symphonic series next May with a grand finale, featuring the Piano Concerto No. 2 by Rachmaninoff.
Other highlights include three works by John B Hedges (above), the orchestra’s composer-in-residence, including the world premiere of Fastball and nineteen-year-old violinist Will Hagen will make his FWSO debut in April.
The full season follows:
FORT WORTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES 2011-2012 CONCERT SEASON
FORT WORTH – The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s 2011-12 concert season includes symphonic and pops music for every taste, as well as packages for every budget!
Highlights of the season:
- The annual Great Performances Festival gets an all-American spin, with beloved music by Bernstein, Copland and Gershwin. Van Cliburn will join the FWSO as the narrator in Copland’s Lincoln Portrait. Programming also includes Symphonic Dances from Bernstein’s West Side Story and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with FWSO principal keyboardist Shields-Collins Bray.
- Throughout the year, we’ll present three pieces by Composer-in-Residence John B Hedges, including the world premiere of Fastball, as well as Slapdance and a work written for our principal clarinetist, Ana Victoria Luperi.
- Country superstar LeAnn Rimes joins the FWSO in a special one-night-only concert.
- The Canadian Tenors, who performed at a sold-out holiday concert last year, return for a full weekend on our Pops Series.
- And Music Director Miguel Harth-Bedoya leads a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at our glittering annual gala.
The 2011-12 season opens August 26-28 with the Great Performances Festival: The Pride of America. Music Director Miguel Harth-Bedoya leads the orchestra in three different concerts of music by Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and George Gershwin, composers who helped define American music in the 20th century. This is beloved music that resides at the intersection of classical and popular forms, and our selections explore a range of genres, including symphonic and sacred music, as well as jazz, opera, songs and spirituals. Van Cliburn—known around the world as an ambassador of American art and goodwill—will join the orchestra as the narrator in Copland’s Lincoln Portrait. Other highlights include Gershwin’s An American in Paris, Rhapsody in Blue and Porgy and Bess; Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, and excerpts from West Side Story and On the Town; and Copland’s Old American Songs with tenor Jonathan Beyer. Three-concert festival passes are available now and range from $36 to $144. Single concert tickets to the festival go on sale in early August.
The American Airlines Symphonic Series opens September 16-18 with Augustin Hadelich—who last performed with the orchestra at Carnegie Hall in 2008—in performances of Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole for Violin and Orchestra. Blockbuster works by Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Brahms, Mahler, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky and more complete the season. Guest soloists include violin prodigy Will Hagen; cellist Alisa Weilerstein; and pianists Arnaldo Cohen, Markus Groh, Alexander Ullman and Haochen Zhang, a 2009 Cliburn gold medalist. The FWSO continues to showcase its own artists, with two dazzling young principals — Mark Houghton, horn, and Ana Victoria Luperi, clarinet — appearing as featured soloists this season. American Airlines Symphonic Series subscriptions range from $75 to $540.
Along with the Canadian Tenors, other highlights of the Star-Telegram Pops Series include Bugs Bunny at the Symphony; Wicked Divas, a concert of diva showstoppers from Broadway highlighted by selections from Wicked; Live and Let Die, a tribute to the timeless music of Paul McCartney; and Home for the Holidays. Star-Telegram Pops Series subscriptions range from $98 to $462.
This season’s Blockbuster Specials include an appearance by LeAnn Rimes and a swingin’ New Year’s Eve with standards by Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and more. The holiday season brings our annual Messiah performance as well as Christmas with the Von Trapp Family Singers, a concert for all ages featuring the great-grandchildren of Captain and Maria von Trapp. Subscribers receive first priority; these concerts are available only to subscribers until early September.
FORT WORTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
2011-2012 SEASON
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Music Director
GREAT PERFORMANCES FESTIVAL:
THE PRIDE OF AMERICA
7:30 p.m. August 26, 27 & 28 at Bass Performance Hall
Festival passes $36-$144. Single tickets go on sale in August.
www.fwsymphony.org or 817-665-6000
Friday, August 26, 2011, at 7:30 p.m.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor
Jonathan Beyer, Baritone
COPLAND Suite from Billy the Kid
COPLAND Selections from Old American Songs
Jonathan Beyer, Baritone
BERNSTEIN Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
GERSHWIN An American in Paris
Saturday, August 27, 2011, at 7:30 pm
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor
Van Cliburn, Narrator
BERNSTEIN Symphonic Suite from On the Waterfront
BERNSTEIN Chichester Psalms for Chorus and Orchestra
COPLAND Lincoln Portrait
Van Cliburn, Narrator
GERSHWIN Porgy and Bess, A Symphonic Picture
Sunday, August 28, 2011, at 7:30 pm
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor
Shields-Collins Bray, Piano
BERNSTEIN Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
GERSHWIN Rhapsody in Blue for Solo Piano and Jazz Band
Shields-Collins Bray, Piano
COPLAND Symphony No. 3
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra celebrates the American spirit. Our three-day festival will focus on the works of George Gershwin, Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein, legendary American composers whose music entertained generations throughout the 20th century. Join us for this slice of Americana in a festival that is sure to unite our community through the power of music.
AMERICAN AIRLINES SYMPHONIC SERIES
Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.
at Bass Performance Hall
Subscriptions start at $75
www.fwsymphony.org or 817-665-6000
September 16, 17 & 18
VIOLIN VIRTUOSO
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor
Augustin Hadelich, Violin
JOHN B HEDGES* Slapdance
LALO Symphonie espagnole, Op. 21
Augustin Hadelich, Violin
BRAHMS Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98
Violinist Augustin Hadelich, who performed with the FWSO at Carnegie Hall in 2008, joins the orchestra for the Spanish motifs of Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole. Brahms’ dramatic and passionate final symphony and Slapdance by composer-in-residence John B Hedges complete the opening of the symphonic series.
October 7, 8 & 9, 2011
SUNLIT SYMPHONY
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor
Sebastián VERGARA Awakening of the Species
MAHLER Symphony No. 4 in G Major
Many a love affair with the music of Mahler has begun with his Fourth Symphony. Known as the “sunlit symphony,” this work depicts a child’s view of heaven. Our performance of this wondrous work commemorates the 100th anniversary of Mahler’s death, and is another step toward the FWSO’s completion of the entire cycle of Mahler symphonies, an achievement for any orchestra.
November 4, 5 & 6, 2011
MOZART & SALIERI
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor
Alexander Ullman, Piano
SALIERI Symphony in D Major “Il giorno onomastico”*
MOZART Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467
Alexander Ullman, Piano
SALIERI Overture to Cublai, gran kan de’ Tartari
MOZART Symphony No. 39 in E-flat Major, K. 543
Salieri enjoyed social position as a composer, but was secretly jealous of Mozart’s works because of their superior quality. This concert combines beautiful works by both composers, who regained popularity through the 1980s film Amadeus.
* Saturday and Sunday only
November 18, 19 & 20, 2011
RACHMANINOFF SYMPHONY NO.2
Milanov Rossen, Conductor
Mark Houghton, Horn
JOHN ADAMS The Chairman Dances (Foxtrot for Orchestra)*
R. STRAUSS Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 11
Mark Houghton, Horn
RACHMANINOFF Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 27
Rachmaninoff’s brooding and mysterious Symphony No. 2 is the centerpiece of this concert, which is not only dramatically intense but also grand and sweeping. FWSO Principal Horn Mark Houghton performs the beautiful Horn Concerto No. 1 by Richard Strauss for a perfect complement.
* Saturday and Sunday only
January 13, 14 & 15, 2012
BEETHOVEN & BRAHMS
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor
Arnaldo Cohen, Piano
ROSSINI Overture to William Tell*
BRAHMS Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 15
Arnaldo Cohen, Piano
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major, Op. 60
Pianist Arnaldo Cohen takes center stage to perform the virtuosic and fiery Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1. The gentle tenderness and beautiful themes of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4 and the ever-popular William Tell Overture round out this delightful concert.
* Saturday and Sunday only
February 3, 4 & 5, 2012
CINDERELLA
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor
Ana Victoria Luperi, Clarinet
PROKOFIEV Suite from Cinderella, Op. 87
JOHN B HEDGES Fantasía sobre Yma Sumac
Victoria Luperi, Clarinet
BORODIN Symphony No. 2 in B Minor
The waltz-like rhythms of Prokofiev’s Cinderella are a highlight of this concert, which also features the lyrical revelry of Borodin’s Symphony No. 2. FWSO Principal Clarinetist Ana Victoria Luperi performs Fantasia sobre Yma Sumac, written for her by composer-in-residence John B Hedges.
March 2, 3 & 4, 2012
SCHUMANN PIANO CONCERTO
Mei-Ann Chen, Conductor
Markus Groh, Piano
BEETHOVEN Overture to Coriolan, Op. 62*
SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54
Markus Groh, Piano
FRANCK Symphony in D Minor
Mei-Ann Chen returns by popular demand, to lead one of Franck’s best-loved compositions, the Symphony in D Minor. The beautiful melodies of the Schumann Piano Concerto in A Minor will fill the hall as pianist Markus Groh takes the stage.
* Saturday and Sunday only
March 23, 24 & 25, 2012
THE FIREBIRD
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor
Alisa Weilerstein, Cello
SMETANA The Moldau from Má Vlast *
ELGAR Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85
Alisa Weilerstein, Cello
JOHN B HEDGES Fastball (World Premiere)
STRAVINSKY Suite from The Firebird (1945 revision)
Alisa Weilerstein joins the orchestra to perform Elgar’s deeply emotional Cello Concerto in E Minor. Smetana’s picturesque symphonic poem The Moldau and Stravinsky’s riveting Firebird Suite, always an FWSO patrons’ choice, complete the program.
* Saturday and Sunday only
April 13, 14 & 15, 2012
BUDDING VIOLINIST
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor
Will Hagen, Violin
SCHUBERT Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D. 759, “Unfinished” *
TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35
Will Hagen, Violin
DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Op. 70
The late Romantic period is featured in Dvôrák’s beloved Seventh Symphony. At just 19 years old, violinist Will Hagen makes his FWSO debut, performing Tchaikovsky’s popular violin concerto. The powerful and melodic “Unfinished” Symphony by Schubert is the perfect “finish” to this unforgettable concert.
* Saturday and Sunday only
May 4, 5 & 6, 2012
CLIBURN GOLD
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor
Haochen Zhang, Piano
ENESCU Romanian Rhapsody in A Major, Op. 11, No. 1 *
RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18
Haochen Zhang, Piano
RESPIGHI The Fountains of Rome
TCHAIKOVSKY Francesca da Rimini, Op. 32
The grand finale of the symphonic series features the youngest participant in the 2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Now 21 years old, gold medalist Haochen Zhang will perform the alluring Piano Concerto No. 2 by Rachmaninoff.
* Saturday and Sunday only
STAR-TELEGRAM POPS SERIES
Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. at Bass Performance Hall
Subscriptions start at $98
www.fwsymphony.org or 817-665-6000
October 14, 15 & 16, 2011
HOLLYWOOD CLASSICS
Andrés Franco, Conductor
Music has always played a vital role in film — it sets the mood of a scene and enhances your emotional response to the story. This concert celebrates the best in movie music, from The Godfather, Lawrence of Arabia and Schindler’s List to favorite Beethoven and Tchaikovsky excerpts heard in 2011 Academy Award winners The King’s Speech and Black Swan. It’s the classical music you never knew you knew!
October 28, 29 & 30, 2011
BUGS BUNNY AT THE SYMPHONY
George Daugherty, Conductor
Classic Warner Bros. Looney Tunes projected on the big screen, with their original scores performed live! This new edition includes special guests Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones and even Scooby-Doo! Don’t miss these, plus old favorites like What’s, Opera, Doc? and The Rabbit of Seville.
November 25, 26 & 27, 2011
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Ron Spigelman, Conductor
This Fort Worth Symphony holiday tradition is filled with joyous sounds of the season as well as jolly old St. Nick himself! So you better watch out… this concert is sure to put you and your family in the mood for Christmas. Not responsible for causing excessive seasonal spirit.
January 20, 21 & 22, 2012
LIVE AND LET DIE:
THE MUSIC OF PAUL MCCARTNEY
Martin Herman, Conductor
The power of pop combined with the beauty of symphonic orchestration brings an incredible concert experience to Paul McCartney and Beatles fans of all ages. Conductor Martin Herman leads the Orchestra as vocalist Tony Kishman and company recreate McCartney’s most popular songs, including Silly Love Songs, Live and Let Die, Maybe I’m Amazed and the best of the Fab Four!
February 17, 18 & 19, 2012
WICKED DIVAS
Steven Reineke, Conductor
The music director of the New York Pops conducts a concert of diva showstoppers from Broadway, opera and popular music. Highlighted by selections from the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Wicked, this program also includes favorites from Gypsy, Ragtime, Titanic and more!
March 16, 17 & 18, 2012
A CELTIC CELEBRATION
Ron Spigelman, Conductor
Since its premiere, this showstopper has been a huge hit nationwide. With a cast of Irish step dancers, vocalists and Irish instrumentalists, this show features music from the movie Braveheart, plus Broadway standards from Brigadoon, Finian’s Rainbow and more!
April 20, 21 & 22, 2012
THE CANADIAN TENORS
Andrés Franco, Conductor
Ever since they performed Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah on Oprah, the Canadian Tenors have been taking the U.S. by storm! Back by popular demand after their sold-out, one-night-only Christmas concert with the FWSO, the Canadian Tenors will hypnotize Pops subscribers with their magical voices and mesmerizing harmonies.
SUBSCRIBER SPECIALS
All concerts take place at Bass Performance Hall at the time specified below.
Available now exclusively to subscribers; on sale to the general public in August
For tickets, www.fwsymphony.org or 817-665-6000
Monday, December 5, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
David Thye, Conductor
Southwestern Seminary Master Chorale
Few works are so powerful that audiences never tire of hearing them performed. Handel’s Messiah is such a work. The FWSO’s annual presentation of this masterpiece in Bass Performance Hall has become a sacred Fort Worth holiday offering and has been regarded as one of the finest performances in the region. Whether one enjoys Messiah for its spiritual message or simply for its musical beauty, this work is a moving experience that elevates and enriches the soul.
Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE VON TRAPP FAMILY SINGERS
The Sound of Music captured the hearts of millions when the movie premiered. Today the Von Trapp Family Singers, the actual great grandchildren of Maria and Captain von Trapp, continue the legacy. This one night only Christmas Concert is for the entire family and features traditional American and Austrian songs of the season and cherished family stories of the von Trapp family. The perfect way to let music fill your holiday!
Saturday, December 31, 2011, 8 p.m.
SWINGIN’ IN THE NEW YEAR
With the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Jeff Tyzik, Conductor
Carmen Bradford, Vocalist
It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing! That’s the theme of this New Year’s Eve with the FWSO. Join us as we say goodbye to the old year and hello to 2012, in a concert filled with memorable swingin’ standards by Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and more. Featuring guest conductor Jeff Tyzik and vocalist Carmen Bradford, this concert will put you “In the Mood,” with time left after the concert to dine and dance the night away!
Saturday, January 28, 2012, 8 p.m.
LEANN RIMES
With the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
As a 13-year-old girl from Garland, Texas, LeAnn Rimes wowed the nation with her hit single Blue and earned comparisons to the great Patsy Cline. She went on to sell 37 million albums, her rich and powerful voice appealing to both country and pop fans everywhere. Now Rimes brings that stunning voice to the symphony stage for one night only.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 7 p.m.
ODE TO JOY: A GALA EVENT
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor
Under the baton of Music Director Miguel Harth-Bedoya, our annual Gala event brings some of the grandest symphonic music ever written! Experience music on a monumental scale with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, “Choral,” performed by the FWSO and full chorus and soloists. This one-night-only spectacle is sure to sell out, so order your tickets early.
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