Kinda of a “on the one hand this, on the other hand that” day for the DSO.

First, music director Jaap van Zweden won an Edison Prize for best opera recording of the year. Too bad it wasn’t with the DSO; it was for his recording of Wagner’s Parsifal on the Challenge Classics label with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Radio Choir.  The Edison is a prestigious award in The Netherlands.

The full release is below.

But then came the announcement that because of all that booming and flashing going on in the sky — plus the rain falling out of it —  the Dallas Symphony has cancelled its community performance tonight at Kidd Springs Park.

And that announcement follows below, too:

Jaap van Zweden Earns Prestigious Edison Award for Best Opera Recording

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Music Director Honored for Wagner’s Parsifal Conducting Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra

Dallas, TX (May 30, 2012) – The Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is proud to announce that its Music Director Jaap van Zweden has been honored for one of the best recordings of the year. On May 23, 2012 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, it was announced that Van Zweden received the prestigious 2012 Edison Award for Opera Recording for Wagner’s Parsifal, which he recorded with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Radio Choir, with the State Male Choir “Latvija,” on the Challenge Classics label.

The Edison Award is given annually in The Netherlands and is one of the highest achievements in classical music, akin to the Grammy® Awards and other top honors. It is one of the oldest music awards in the world, having been presented since 1960. The Edison Awards are given for outstanding achievements in the music industry in various musical genres. The Edisons are awarded honoring both international and Dutch artists.

The 2012 Edison Award jury praised Van Zweden’s Parsifal for its skillful and natural pacing and the “simplicity and purity” of his interpretation. Reviewing the recording in Gramophone, David Patrick Stearns called the recording “exceptionally distinguished, owing partly to the rock-solid casting and [van] Zweden’s high-concentration approach to the score.

“I never even imagined a Parsifal like this – much less heard one,” Stearns wrote.

“I am deeply honored to receive the Edison Award, an important recognition in The Netherlands and throughout the music industry,” Jaap van Zweden said from his home in Amsterdam. “This Edison Award I share not only with the wonderful singers and brilliant musicians who performed Parsifal, but with everyone with whom I work. A conductor is nothing without his orchestras; I cannot make music without them. I am grateful to the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, to my colleagues around the world, and to the jurors of the Edison Award for this amazing prize.”

Parsifal was recorded live in concert at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw in December, 2010, and features the stellar cast of Klaus Florian Vogt (Parsifal), Katarina Dalayman (Kundry), Robert Holl (Gurnemanz), Falk Struckmann (Amfortas), and Julia Westendorp (First Squire). Choirs were conducted by Eberhard Friedrich.

“Everyone at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is thrilled and excited over Jaap’s newest accolade, and send him warmest congratulations,” said Blaine L. Nelson, Chairman of the DSO’s Board of Governors. “We are so gratified the Edison Award jury recognized and experienced what Dallas Symphony patrons have known since he first ascended the podium here – that Jaap van Zweden is a singular talent and an extraordinary musician who inspires orchestras, singers and audiences to exalted heights of excitement and expression.”

About Jaap van Zweden

Amsterdam-born Jaap van Zweden has been Music Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra since 2008. He was Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic and Radio Chamber Orchestras from 2005-2011 and is currently Honorary Chief Conductor of those ensembles. In January 2012 he was announced as Music Director Designate of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, where he will take up the post of Music Director in September 2012, for an initial contract of four years.

Appointed at nineteen as the youngest concertmaster ever of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, he began his conducting career in 1995 and held the positions of Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra (1996-2000), Chief Conductor of the Residentie Orchestra of The Hague (2000-2005), and Chief Conductor of the Royal Flemish Philharmonic Orchestra (2008-2011).

In November 2011 Van Zweden was named as the recipient of Musical America‘s Conductor of the Year Award 2012 in recognition of his critically acclaimed work as Music Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and as a guest conductor with the most prestigious US orchestras.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Cancels May 30 Community Concert at Kidd Springs Park Due to Inclement Weather

WHAT: Due to inclement weather the Dallas Symphony Orchestra has been forced to cancel tonight’s Community Concert at Kidd Springs Park. No rain site is available. This concert will not be rescheduled.

WHEN: Wednesday May 30, 2012

8:00 p.m.

CANCELLED

WHERE: 711 West Canty Street

Dallas, Texas 75208

MORE: For more information on the cancellation, please call 214.692.0203 or visit DallasSymphony.com.

The 2012 Community Concerts Series included four concerts in different Dallas neighborhoods, including the popular patriotic celebration at Flagpole Hill on Memorial Day. Associate Conductor Rei Hotoda lead the DSO in a wide variety of classical favorites for the Dallas community. All of the 2012 Community Concerts were free and open to the public.

The DSO has been performing free outdoor concerts in Dallas for more than 20 years. The 2012 Community Concerts Series is presented by 7-Eleven, Inc. and its 132 stores in the city. Additional support generously provided by ExxonMobil, Ernst & Young LLP, The Ebby Halliday Companies and El Centro College.

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Dallas Symphony Orchestra Media Contacts:

Erica Bruce, [email protected], 214.871.4010

Chris Shull, [email protected], 214.871.4061

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Media Contacts:

Erica Bruce, [email protected], 214.871.4010

Chris Shull, [email protected], 214.871.4061