Thursday C

8:00 pm
YANNICK / TCHAIKOVSKY / MOZART / THE RITE OF SPRING / NOSEDA

The Stokowski Legacy

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Emmanuel Krivine - Conductor

Christina & Michelle Naughton - Duo pianos

program

Franck - Symphony in D minor

Poulenc - Concerto for Two Pianos

Bach - Toccata and Fugue in D minor

Inspired by Stokowski’s original program of December 1935, when The Philadelphia Orchestra presented the U.S. premiere of Poulenc’s Double Piano Concerto, Emmanuel Krivine presents a pairing of repertoire drawn directly from the archives. Twins Christina and Michelle Naughton play the Concerto with a unity of sound that astonishes. Franck’s D-minor Symphony and Stokowski’s orchestration of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor are trademarks of the “Philadelphia Sound.”

Rachmaninoff in Philadelphia

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Gianandrea Noseda - Conductor

Denis Matsuev - Piano

program

Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 3

Rachmaninoff - Symphony No. 2

Rachmaninoff said that he would “rather perform with The Philadelphia Orchestra than any other of the world.” A relationship fostered by Stokowski, Rachmaninoff maintained a long-term connection to Philadelphia. His Symphony No. 2, perhaps his greatest work, is filled with longing melodies and sweeping solos that highlight the amazing musicians of our Orchestra.

Mozart in His Time

Thursday, January 10, 2013

David Kim - Conductor

Imogen Cooper - Piano

Imogen Cooper - Conductor

program

Mozart - Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Serenade in G major

Mozart - Piano Concerto No. 24, K. 491

Mozart - Symphony No. 25

It’s The Philadelphia Orchestra as you rarely hear it. Concertmaster David Kim leads Mozart’s A Little Night Music from his seat at the front of the violin section as it would have been done in Mozart’s time, without a conductor. The frenetic beginning of Symphony No. 25 was chosen to open the memorable film Amadeus. And Imogen Cooper also leads from the keyboard in Mozart’s rebellious C-minor Piano Concerto.

Philadelphia Firsts

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Yannick Nézet-Séguin - Conductor

Jean-Yves Thibaudet - Piano

Ridge Theater Company - Dancer(s)

program

Knussen - New Work (world premiere)

Ravel - Piano Concerto in G major

Stravinsky - The Rite of Spring

Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring received its U.S. premiere in Philadelphia, under Stokowski’s direction. Now, in a first-of-its-kind partnership with Philadelphia Live Arts, The Philadelphia Orchestra collaborates with the New York-based Ridge Theater to present a 21st-century treatment of The Rite of Spring with dancers, video projection, and theatrical lighting. Philadelphia also gave the first American performances of Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G and will perform a world premiere by british composer Oliver Knussen.

Tchaikovsky's Fifth

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Andrey Boreyko - Conductor

Colin Currie - Percussion

program

Wagner - "Entry of the Gods into Valhalla," from Das Rheingold

Rouse - Der gerettete Alberich ("Alberich Saved")

Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 5

The program opens with the imperial “Entrance of the Gods” from Das Rheingold. Then, American composer Christopher Rouse imagines a postlude to the Ring, about the mischeivous character Alberich, portrayed by a solo percussionist. The second half of the program features Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, beginning with the distant call of fate that later evolves into a rousing march.

Gil Shaham Plays Brahms

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Yannick Nézet-Séguin - Conductor

Gil Shaham - Violin

program

Dvorák - Slavonic Dance No. 1

Dvorák - Slavonic Dance No. 10

Dvorák - Slavonic Dance No. 8

Janácek - Sinfonietta

Brahms - Violin Concerto

Enescu - Romanian Rhapsody in D major

Eastern Europe comes alive in Janáček’s Sinfonietta, a festive work with a stunning opening brass fanfare that includes 12 trumpets. A folk ethos likewise infuses the music of Enescu and Dvořák; the latter credited brahms with the success of his career, as the elder composer encouraged him greatly. The famous Violin Concerto of brahms is performed by the incomparable Gil Shaham.