Purchase tickets at DSO.org

or call 313-576-5111

Leonard Slatkin crafts adventurous collection of repertoire

DSO Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik programs season inspired by vintage music sensations

DSO Assistant Conductor Teddy Abrams crafts magical family series

Yo-Yo Ma and Lang Lang headline DSO Presents series

Absolutely no ticket price increases across all series

DETROIT, (February 10, 2013) – The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) announced programming today for its 2013-14 Orchestra Hall Classical, Pops, and Young People’s Family Subscription Series. The new season reflects absolutely no increases in individual ticket prices.

The DSO and Music Director Leonard Slatkin, entering the sixth season of a partnership that has been described as producing a “sweeping sonic landscape” by the Detroit Free Press, are putting forth an adventurous combination of major classical repertoire and an assortment of imaginative and technically demanding World Premieres of music by prominent contemporary composers from all around the world.

Ambitious recording projects will continue next season, expanding the reach of the Orchestra through innovative digital distribution. Live from Orchestra Hall, the DSO’s unprecedented series of live HD webcasts, will continue during 2013-14, bringing the best of the DSO Classical Series to a global audience. Stay tuned for a complete schedule.

A MESSAGE FROM MAESTRO SLATKIN TO PATRONS

“It is my privilege to present our 2013-14 season to you.  This is a year in which we see and hear both the old and new, the familiar and the unknown, as well as celebrating the diversity and artistry of our orchestra.

The DSO, our soloists, guest conductors and I will bring music by beloved composers such as Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, Debussy, Tchaikovsky and so many more to life.  Returning to the standard repertoire is always welcome, both by the audience as well as the orchestra.

Coming back to Orchestra Hall are artists such as Gil Shaham, Hilary Hahn, Kathleen Battle, Leon Fleisher and Yefim Bronfman.  Many musicians from the orchestra will be front and center as well.

There are major premieres of works by David Del Tredici and Bright Sheng, among others. Outstanding young talent will be making debuts on our stage. And of course there is the great Detroit Symphony on each of the programs.

I hope you will take advantage of this season’s offerings and become among the first to secure your seat at the Max.”

MAJOR SYMPHONIC WORKS

The DSO will tackle a host of major symphonic repertoire during the 2013-14 season that will both feature key guest artists and showcase the talent of DSO musicians. The line-up includes Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 (Oct. 10-12), Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 (Nov. 7-8), Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra (Nov. 15-17), Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 (Dec. 6-7), Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 (Dec. 12-13), Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 (Jan. 24-26), Orff’s Carmina Burana (Jan. 30-Feb. 2), Respighi’s Fountains of Rome (Feb. 13-15), Dvořák’s Symphony No. 6 (Feb. 20-22), Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade (March 21-23), Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10 (April 4-6), Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 6 (April 25-27), Copland’s Appalachian Spring (May 16-18), Nielsen’s Symphony No. 4 (May 22-24), and Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 (May 30-31), among many others.

WORLD, AMERICAN AND DSO PREMIERES:

Slatkin’s penchant for new music by contemporary composers will be on display next season with a number of World and North American Premieres on the schedule at Orchestra Hall. The 2013-14 season opens with the first of two World Premieres of Chinese-American composer Bright Sheng’s music. Violinist Gil Shaham will premiere Sheng’s Violin Concerto on opening weekend (Oct. 4-6), and later in the season, Sheng’s Zodiac Tales will receive its world premiere on a program with Orff’s Carmina Burana (Jan. 30-Feb. 2). Building on the success of the DSO’s 2011-12 performance of David Del Tredici’s Final Alice, the Orchestra will perform the World Premiere of Del Tredici’s opera Dum Dee Tweedle (Nov. 30-Dec. 1), a setting of Chapter 4, “Tweedledum and Tweedledee” from Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. DSO Principal Harp Patricia Masri-Fletcher will perform the World Premiere of Allan Gilliland’s Harp Concerto (March 27-29) on a program with seven other DSO soloists. The final World Premiere of the season will feature a work by Chinese-American composer Wang Jie (March 27-29), winner of the DSO’s sixth annual Elaine Lebenbom Memorial Award for Female Composers. The work is as yet untitled.

The DSO will also perform the North American premiere of Cyborg by Spanish composer Ferran Cruixent, who composed the piece in 2010 on a commission from the Staatskapelle Weimar in Germany.

The season will also feature a DSO premiere of Aaron Copland’s Hear Ye! Hear Ye! as part of the Orchestra’s ongoing project to record a complete set of Copland’s six ballets. Other DSO premieres next season include Mason Bates’ Violin Concerto, Piazzolla’s Sinfonia de Buenos Aires, John Williams’ Tuba Concerto and Carter’s Remembrance.

CLASSICAL DEBUTS & GUEST ARTISTS: World-renowned soprano Kathleen Battle to star in annual “Classical Roots” concert

Leonard Slatkin will conduct the orchestra in 13 of 21 classical concert programs, including the annual tradition honoring African American composers, “Classical Roots,” which will star soprano Kathleen Battle.  During the other weeks, the DSO will welcome back a number of conductors who have become both orchestra and audience favorites including Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Hans Graf, Andrew Litton, and Carlos Kalmar, while some newcomers, who have garnered great excitement and acclaim in recent seasons, will make their Detroit debuts:

Teddy Abrams (Oct. 25-27) is the DSO’s Assistant Conductor since the 2012-13 season and will lead the DSO for his subscription concert debut in a program celebrating 100 years since the birth of composer Benjamin Britten. The program includes Britten’s Piano Concerto, Wagner’s Overture to The Flying Dutchman, Sibelius’ The Oceanides, and Debussy’s La mer.

Giancarlo Guerrero, Music Director of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra, will make his DSO debut on Feb. 13-15 in a program featuring Gershwin’s Cuban Overture, Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Respighi’s Fountains of Rome, and Piazzolla’s Sinfonia de Buenos Aires.

Swiss conductor Thierry Fischer (May 1-3) will make his DSO debut conducting a program starring Louis Lortie performing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Fischer is Principal Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Chief Conductor of the Nagoya Philharmonic, and Music Director of the Utah Symphony Orchestra.

Music Director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Sinfonietta, Mei-Ann Chen (Dec. 12-13) will make her DSO debut alongside Marc-André Hamelin performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17. Also on the program are Mozart’s Overture to The Magic Flute, Mendelssohn’s Overture to Midsummer Night’s Dream and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4.

The DSO will welcome exciting soloists from the world over, but many DSO musicians will take the spotlight as well. Concertmaster Yoonshin Song will perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 2 (Nov. 30-Dec. 1) and a special program of DSO solos (March 27-30) will feature Principal Flute David Buck performing John Williams’ Flute Concerto and Principal Tuba Dennis Nulty performing Williams’ Tuba Concerto, both for later release on Naxos; Principal Harp Patricia Masri-Fletcher performing the World Premiere of Allan Gilliland’s Harp Concerto; Principal Trombone Kenneth Thompkins performing Elliott Carter’s Remembrance; and violinists Sheryl Hwangbo, Rachel Klaus, Adrienne Rӧnmark and Hong-Yi Mo performing Vivaldi’s Concerto for Four Violins.

Soloists making their DSO debut in 2013-14:

• British pianist Benjamin Grosvenor makes his DSO debut on Oct. 25-27 performing the Britten Piano Concerto, celebrating 100 years since the composer’s birth, conducted by DSO Assistant Conductor Teddy Abrams
• Moscow-born violinist Alexandra Soumm will make her North American debut Nov. 7-8 performing Sibelius’ Violin concerto, conducted by Leonard Slatkin
• Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers will perform the DSO premiere of Mason Bates’ Violin Concerto, a work that was written for her, on Dec. 6-7 with Leonard Slatkin conducting
• Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov will make his DSO debut performing Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini on Feb. 13-15 with Giancarlo Guerrero conducting
• Violinist Benjamin Schmid will make his DSO debut performing Korngold’s Violin Concerto on Feb. 22 with Hans Graf conducting
• Italian violinist Augustin Hadelich will make his DSO debut on April 25-27 performing the Beethoven Violin Concerto with Andrew Litton conducting
• Cellist Zuill Bailey will make his DSO debut on May 22-24 performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto, a piece he recently recorded with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on the Telarc label

RECORDINGS

The 2013-14 season will see the continuation of two recording projects spearheaded by Leonard Slatkin. The DSO began a three-disc project last year with Naxos to record all six ballets by Aaron Copland, and the material for the second disc will be recorded in the new season.

An on-going endeavor to record a complete set of John Williams’ concerti featuring DSO Principal musicians will also continue in 2013-14 with performances of the Williams Flute Concerto and Tuba Concerto. Past releases have included John Williams Horn Concerto (2010) featuring DSO Principal Horn Karl Pituch, John Williams’ Violin Concerto featuring former DSO Concertmaster Emmanuelle Boisvert (2011), Williams’ Five Sacred Trees featuring DSO Principal Bassoon Robert Williams (2013), and the Williams Cello Concerto featuring DSO Principal Cellist Robert deMaine (2013). The concerti are direct-to-digital recordings on the Naxos label available to download via the DSO to Go mobile app, iTunes and Instant Encore.

Live recordings are scheduled for the following performances:

• Copland’s Hear Ye! Hear Ye! (Oct. 10-12), Three Latin American Sketches (Dec. 6-7), and Appalacian Spring (May 16-18), conducted by Leonard Slatkin for the second disc of the Copland ballet recording project
• John Williams’ Flute Concerto and Tuba Concerto (March 27-30), conducted by Leonard Slatkin for the Williams concerti project

The public is encouraged to attend live concerts to be a part of DSO history as it is made.

DSO POPS SEASON: Friday night pops series returns

New DSO Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik begins his three-year tenure with the Orchestra by programming a tour of the last century of Pops favorites, starting in the 1930s with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers classics. Audiences will enjoy music by John Williams and Ray Charles, a 100-year retrospective of Broadway favorites, lounge music reminiscent of the Mad Men Era, a tribute to Led Zeppelin, a flurry of patriotic anthems and a special orchestral celebration of cherished Looney Toons scores. A DSO tradition will also return to Orchestra Hall as Thomas Wilkins conducts the DSO patrons’ annual favorite, Home for the Holidays, in December. (See full listing of DSO pops programs at the end of this release).

YOUNG PEOPLE’S FAMILY CONCERTS SEASON

Assistant Conductor Teddy Abrams has programmed thrills and surprises for young music lovers of all ages in his second YPFC season with the DSO. Beginning with a Halloween Mystery Party with the DSO, complete with costumes, the series will teach junior audience members how to recognize classical music in popular culture, link classical repertoire with music they are sure to recognize and present a musical portrait of a young Mozart, who wrote his first symphony at only 8 years old.

The Tiny Tots series, geared toward children 2-6, will feature the Candy Band, a group of rockin’ Detroit moms, a Dr. Seuss program starring jazz drummer Sean Dobbins, a performance by Abrams’ own Sixth Floor Trio, and a Caribbean adventure with the Gratitude Steel Band. (See full listing of DSO YPFC and Tiny Tots programs at the end of this release)

“DSO PRESENTS” SPECIAL SERIES:

The celebrity-packed 2013-14 series of “DSO Presents” special concerts features a wide variety of household names from Yo-Yo Ma (April 9) and Lang Lang (Sept. 28) to the Indigo Girls (Oct. 30), all performing with the DSO. Holiday specials include the Vienna Boys Choir (Dec. 2) and a one-night-only performance of Handel’s Messiah (Dec. 14).

SUBSCRIPTION PRICES

Subscription packages for classical, pops, and Young People’s Family series are on sale now.  The deadline to renew for all existing subscribers is March 28.  As part of the DSO’s Patron-Minded Pricing Program, classical subscription ticket prices continue to reflect up to a 50 percent reduction from 2009 levels. For both classical and pops subscriptions, patrons will receive at least one of their concerts free with every package, excluding Box Level classical subscribers.

Students of any age can attend any Orchestra Hall concert free all season long by purchasing a Soundcard for $25. More information is available at dso.org/soundcard.

 

2013-14 Classical Season Subscription prices

Subscription packages will be sold in groups of 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 21

• 7 concert series prices will be $90 for Upper Balcony, $150 for Mid-Balcony and Main Floor B, $300 for Main Floor A and Dress Circle and $490 for the Box Level.
• 8 and 9 concert series prices will be $105 for Upper Balcony, $175 for Mid-Balcony and Main Floor B, $350 for Main Floor A and Dress Circle and $800 for the Box Level.
• 12 concert series will be $150/$250/$500/$840
• 14 concert series prices will be $180/$300/$600/$1,400
• 21 concert series will be $240/$400/$800/$2,100

2013-14 Pops Season Subscription prices—Eight concerts for the price of seven!

Subscription packages will be sold separately in groups of 8 for Coffee, Friday night, Saturday and Sunday concerts

• Coffee Concerts – 8-concert series prices will be $128 for Upper Balcony, $208 for Mid-Balcony, $288 for Main Floor B, $320 for Main Floor A, $336 for Dress Circle and $448 for the Box Level.
• Friday nights, Saturdays or Sundays – 8-concert series prices will be $133 for Upper Balcony, $266 for Mid-Balcony, $336 for Main Floor B, $406 for Main Floor A, $476 for Dress Circle and $735 for the Box Level.

2013-14 Young People’s and Tiny Tots Subscription prices—Buy an adult YPFC subscription and your first child attends Free!

• YPFC Concerts for Adults (incl.one child) – 4-concert series will be $52 for Main Floor B, $72 for Main Floor A, $96 for Dress Circle and $120 for Box Level
• YPFC additional children (25% off) – 4-concert series will be $39 for Main Floor B, $54 for Main Floor A, $72 for Dress Circle and $90 for Box Level
• Tiny Tots Series (General Admission in The Music Box) –4-concert series will be $40 per person

Subscriptions can be purchased by visiting dso.org or calling the DSO’s Box Office at 313-576-5111.

ABOUT THE DSO

The internationally acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in December 2012, is known for trailblazing performances, visionary maestros, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and an unwavering commitment to Detroit. Esteemed conductor Leonard Slatkin, called “America’s Music Director” by the Los Angeles Times, became the 12th Music Director of the DSO during the 2008-09 season and acclaimed conductor, arranger, and trumpeter Jeff Tyzik was appointed Principal Pops Conductor in November 2012. The DSO’s performance schedule includes Classical, Pops, Jazz, Young People’s, Neighborhood concerts, and collaborations with chart-topping musicians from Smokey Robinson to Kid Rock.  A commitment to broadcast innovation began in 1922 when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a radio broadcast and continues today with the free Live from Orchestra Hall webcast series.  Making its home at historic Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center, one of America’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, the DSO actively pursues a mission to impact and serve the community through music.  For more information visit dso.org or download the free DSO to Go mobile app.

DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

2013-14 CLASSICAL & POPS SEASON CONCERTS & PROGRAMS

All concerts at Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center unless otherwise indicated

Programs and artists subject to change

CLASSICAL SEASON

 

Opening Weekend: Gil Shaham

Friday, October 4, 2013 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, October 6, 2013 at 3 p.m.

Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Gil Shaham, violin

Rimsky-Korsakov – Russian Easter Overture

Bright Sheng – Violin Concerto (World Premiere)

Ravel – Rapsodie Espagnole

Ravel – Pavane for a Dead Princess

Ravel – Daphnis and Chloe: Suite No. 2

 

Tchaikovsky’s Fifth

Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, October 11, 2013 at 10:45 a.m.

Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 8p.m.

Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Conrad Tao, piano

Copland – Hear Ye! Hear Ye! (DSO premiere)

Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 1

Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5

 

Benjamin Britten Centennial!

Friday, October 25, 2013 at 10:45 a.m.

Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 3 p.m.

Teddy Abrams, conductor

Benjamin Grosvenor, piano

Wagner – Overture to The Flying Dutchman

Britten – Piano Concerto

Sibelius – The Oceanides

Debussy – La Mer

 

Mahler Symphony No. 4

Thursday, November 7, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, November 8, 2013 at 8 p.m.

Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Alexandra Soumm, violin

Ilana Davidson, soprano

Ferran Cruixent – Cyborg (North American Premiere)

Sibelius – Violin Concerto

Mahler – Symphony No. 4

Virtuoso Liszt

Friday, November 15, 2013 at 10:45 a.m.

Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 3 p.m.

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, conductor

Kirill Gerstein, piano

Liszt – Les Preludes

Liszt – Piano Concerto No. 1

Bartok – Concerto for Orchestra

 

Wolfgang & Wonderland

Saturday, November 30, 2013 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, December 1, 2013 at 3 p.m.

Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Yoonshin Song, violin

Hila Plitmann, soprano

Scott Ramsay, tenor

Michael Kelly, baritone

WSU Symphonic Choir

Dr. Norah Duncan IV, choir director

Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 2

David Del Tredici – Dum Dee Tweedle (World Premiere)

 

Slatkin Conducts Brahms

Friday, December 6, 2013 at 10:45 a.m.

Friday, December 6, 2013 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 8 p.m.

Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Anne Akiko Meyers, violin

Copland – Three Latin American Sketches

Bates – Violin Concerto (DSO Premiere)

Brahms – Symphony No. 4

 

Mozart & Mendelssohn

Thursday, December 12, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, December 13, 2013 at 10:45 a.m.

Mei-Ann Chen, conductor

Marc-André Hamelin, piano

Mozart – Overture to The Magic Flute

Mozart – Piano Concerto No. 17

Mendelssohn – Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 4

 

Hilary Hahn

Friday, January 24, 2014 at 10:45 a.m.

Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 3 p.m.

Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Hilary Hahn, violin

Beethoven – Overture to Consecration of the House

Nielsen – Violin Concerto

Schubert – Symphony No. 9

 

Carmina Burana

Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, January 31, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, February 2, 2014 at 3 p.m.

Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Kiera Duffy, soprano

Nicholas Phan, tenor

Hugh Russell, baritone

University Musical Society Choral Union

Ann Arbor Youth Chorale

Bright Sheng – Zodiac Tales (World Premiere)

Orff – Carmina Burana

 

Valentine’s Weekend: Ravishing Rachmaninoff

Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 14, 2014 at 10:45 a.m.

Friday, February 14, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor

Daniil Trifonov, piano

Gershwin – Cuban Overture

Rachmaninoff – Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

Respighi – Fountains of Rome

Piazzolla – Sinfonia de Buenos Aires (DSO Premiere)

 

Divine Dvořák

Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Hans Graf, conductor

Benjamin Schmid, violin

Webern – Im Sommerwind

Korngold – Violin Concerto

Dvořák – Symphony No. 6

 

Classical Roots

Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Kathleen Battle, soprano

Brazeal Dennard Chorale

Underground Railroad

 

Scheherazade!

Friday, March 21, 2014 at 10:45 a.m.

Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 23, 2014 at 3 p.m.

Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano

Gould – Spirituals

MacMillan – Piano Concerto No. 3 (DSO Premiere)

Rimsky-Korsakov – Scheherazade

 

Orchestra Solos!

Thursday, March 27, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 28, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Hong-Yi Mo, violin

Adrienne Rönmark, violin

Sheryl Hwangbo, violin

Rachel Klaus, violin

David Buck, flute

Dennis Nulty, tuba

Patricia Masri-Fletcher, harp

Kenneth Thompkins, trombone

Vivaldi – Concerto for Four Violins

John Williams – Flute Concerto (DSO Premiere)

Wang Jie – Lebenbom Commission (World Premiere)

Allan Gilliland – Harp Concerto (World Premiere)

John Williams – Tuba Concerto (DSO Premiere)

Carter – Remembrance (DSO Premiere)

Britten – Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra

 

Leon Fleisher

Friday, April 4, 2014 at 10:45 a.m.

Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 3 p.m.

Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Leon Fleisher, piano

Druckman – Mirage

Ravel – “Left Hand” Concerto

Shostakovich – Symphony No. 10

 

Beethoven Violin Concerto

Friday, April 25, 2014 at 10:45 a.m.

Friday, April 25, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 27, 2014 at 3 p.m.

Andrew Litton, conductor

Augustin Hadelich, violin

Beethoven – Violin Concerto

Prokofiev – Symphony No. 6

 

Lortie Plays Chopin

Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, May 2, 2014 at 10:45 a.m.

Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Thierry Fischer, conductor

Louis Lortie, piano

Debussy – Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun

Chopin – Piano Concerto No. 1

Berlioz – Excerpts from Romeo and Juliette

 

Bronfman Plays Beethoven

Friday, May 16, 2014 at 10:45 a.m.

Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 3 p.m.

Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Yefim Bronfman, piano

Krzysztof Penderecki – Jacob’s Dream

Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 3

Copland – Appalachian Spring

 

Elgar Cello Concerto

Thursday, May 22, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Carlos Kalmar, conductor

Zuill Bailey, cello

Brahms – Variations on a theme of Joseph Haydn

Elgar – Cello Concerto

John Adams – Tromba lontana (DSO Premiere)

Nielsen – Symphony No. 4

 

Mahler’s Third Symphony

Friday, May 30, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 8 p.m.

Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Elizabeth Bishop, mezzo-soprano

UMS Choral Union

MSU Children’s Choir

Mahler – Symphony No. 3

POPS SEASON

 

Opening Weekend: The Music of John Williams

Robert Bernhardt, conductor

Fri., Oct. 18 at 10:45 a.m. & 8 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 19 at 8 p.m.

Sun., Oct. 20 at 3 p.m.

Fred & Ginger

Teddy Abrams, conductor

Fri., November 1 at 10:45 a.m.

Sat., November 2 at 8 p.m.

Sun., November 3 at 3 p.m.

Ellis Hall is Ray Charles

Jeff Tyzik, conductor

Fri., November 22 at 10:45 a.m. & 8 p.m.

Sat., December 23 at 8 p.m.

Sun., December 24 at 3 p.m.

Home for the Holidays

Thomas Wilkins, conductor

Fri., December 20 at 10:45 a.m. & 8 p.m.

Sat., December 21 at 8 p.m.

Sun., December 22 at 3 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Tribute to Led Zeppelin

Brent Havens, conductor

Fri., Jan. 17 at 8 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 18 at 8 p.m.

 

A Century of Broadway

Jeff Tyzik, conductor

Fri., February 7 at 10:45 a.m. & 8 p.m.

Sat., February 8 at 8 p.m.

Sun., February 9 at 3 p.m.

The Cocktail Hour: Music of the Mad Men Era

Steven Reineke, conductor

Fri., March 14 at 10:45 a.m. & 8 p.m.

Sat., March 15 at 8 p.m.

Sun., March 16 at 3 p.m.

Bugs Bunny on Broadway

Erik Ochsner, conductor

Fri., April 11 at 8 p.m.

Sat., April 12 at 8 p.m.

Sun., April 13 at 3 p.m.

Patriotic Pops!

Jeff Tyzik, conductor

Fri., May 9 at 10:45 a.m. & 8 p.m.

Sat., May 10 at 8 p.m.

Sun., May 11 at 3 p.m.

DSO PRESENTS SERIES

Lang Lang with the DSO

Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Sat., Sept. 28, 2013 at 8 p.m.

Indigo Girls with the DSO

Wed., Oct. 30, 2013 at 7 p.m.

Vienna Boys Choir

Mon., Dec. 2, 2013 at 7 p.m.

Handel’s Messiah

Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor

Sat., Dec. 14, 2013 at 8 p.m.

Yo-Yo Ma with the DSO

Leonard Slatkin, conductor

Wed., April 9, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

YOUNG PEOPLE’S FAMILY CONCERTS

A Halloween Mystery Party with the DSO

Teddy Abrams, conductor

Sat., Oct. 26 at 11 a.m.

Here, There and Everywhere!

Teddy Abrams, conductor

Sat., Nov. 23 at 11 a.m.

Rock! Sing! Swing!

Teddy Abrams, conductor

Sat., Feb. 8 at 11 a.m.

The Magical Life of Mozart

Teddy Abrams, conductor

Sat., May 10 at 11 a.m.

TINY TOTS CONCERTS

Rock O’Ween with the Candy Band

Sat., Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. in The Music Box

Sean Dobbins and Friends—Jazz Meets Dr. Seuss

Sat., Nov. 23 at 10 a.m. in The Music Box

Teddy’s Excellent Adventures Featuring the Sixth Floor Trio

Sat., Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. in The Music Box

Caribbean Fun Time!

Sat., May 10 at 10 a.m. in The Music Box

An Annual Fund gift to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra is your vote of confidence in the DSO’s critical role in the community and to making great music for all to hear.

The DSO is a community-supported orchestra and your commitment is essential to our success. We invite you to play your part through frequent ticket purchases and tax-deductible annual donations. Your gift supports activities including Live from Orchestra Hall webcasts, Civic Youth Ensembles and our Neighborhood Series and community performances throughout Metro Detroit.

To give a gift amount of your choice, please visit dso.org/donate.

Let’s build a community…

This article first appeared in the 4th quarter 2011 edition of Keynote, the official publication of the Detroit Federation of Musicians.  It is reprinted here with permission.

SYMPHONY CORNER

DSO Aftermath

by Doug Cornelsen

In an article last September 23^rd titled Debt Threatens DSO Turnaround, Mark Stryker of the Detroit Free Press  rehashed the problem of the flawed financing of “The Max,” the lavish 2003 addition to Orchestra Hall which has imposed an annual three-million dollar cost over-run on the DSO’s operating budget.  Mr. Stryker’s article tendentiously presents “The Max” money problem – a consortium of five banks holding a $54 million loan on which DSO management has long defaulted – as a new hurdle facing the DSO organization.  In reality, the overwhelming finance debts on “The Max” are at least eight years old.  Nearly two years ago, this column pointed out that, in the face of their self-created debt, management appeared alarmingly willing to cut orchestra costs as a means of saving money, thereby risking artistic standards.  In view of subsequent events, this Symphony Corner observation has assumed the understatement proportions of Noah saying, “It looks like rain.”

The 2010-11 DSO strike was terribly destructive artistically, a fact unmentioned in Mr. Strykers article.  Taking severe hits in the strike-ending contract were not only salary but also the size of the orchestra and length of season.  From a pre-strike contractually-required size of 95 musicians, the orchestra is now down to no more than 70.  Auditions are planned this season to fill only several of these positions.  (The world’s finest orchestras usually number slightly over 100 musicians.)  The DSO’s historic 52-week season will be 40 weeks this contract year.  The events surrounding the strike have caused some wonderful DSO musicians to leave for positions with 52-week orchestras — there are at least fifteen in America — and there has been a precipitous number of retirements.  The supreme irony is that for several million dollars, a mere fraction of the cumulative budget loss on “The Max,” the contract could have been settled with no strike and no musical damage to the orchestra.  When, during the strike, picketing DSO musicians chanted, “Built the Max, on our backs!” they were not kidding.

Michael Kaiser could be accurately called Dean of American Arts Managers. His stellar career rests on dramatic rescues of a number of arts organizations that were floundering when he took over.  President of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. since 2001, last year Mr. Kaiser founded an Arts Management Institute to train arts administrators.  A Kaiser precept for arts boards experiencing financial trouble is that they must not cut costs in a manner which damages their product nor their public reputation.  This frequent mistake, he says, precipitates more of a downward spiral, making ticket sales and fund raising even more difficult.  Mr. Kaiser also dislikes the tendency of arts boards to blame unions for their problems:  “It is impossible to blame unions for the lack of revenue for arts organizations when so many are doing such a poor job of managing themselves.”

Seen from a Kaiser perspective, DSO management’s post-strike thinking, as described in Mr. Stryker’s article, is eye-brow-raising to say the least.  DSO leaders, wrote Mr. Stryker, had three goals in mind as a means of “fixing the troubled finances for good…the musicians’ contract, the real estate debt and the endowment.”  Management considers the musicians’ contract successfully completed, but is now concerned about their ability to successfully fund raise with a $54 million unpaid loan hanging over their heads.  A Kaiser consultant might point out that six months of negative strike publicity culminating in a musically denigrative orchestra contract, followed up with a prominent news article trumpeting the DSO’s massive bank indebtedness, is not an optimal way for management to achieve their third goal, substantially rebuilding the sadly depleted endowment. It must also be mentioned (though Mr. Stryker doesn’t) that the DSO board’s reappointment of the manager who led the strike does nothing to inspire musician confidence in turnaround success.

In spite of the front office, however, the orchestra is back to work for the winter season and, with a little effort, it’s possible to take a glass-half-full approach to the post-strike DSO.  As the old saying goes, it could be worse.*   Even with many DSO musicians gone the orchestra sounds thoroughly professional, partially due to the excellent skills of the host of subs now on stage.**  And there are few venues anywhere more sonically gratifying, for both performers and audience, than Orchestra Hall.  So listeners at DSO concerts will predictably hear creditable performances.

For musicians, if — IF! — management can keep the post-strike contract going, Detroit will still have an orchestra which offers a livable wage.  Though no longer upper echelon, it will remain an appealing opportunity for musicians direct from college or from smaller orchestras.  Especially in these times of shrinking employment, musicians who join the DSO during the next several years will be happy to have a decent job and will not be embittered by pre-strike memories.  For them, unpaid summers off, for example, will not represent management’s long-term failure to rebuild a quality summer season, but a time to play festivals elsewhere, or, with careful budgeting, to relax, travel, pursue hobbies — or practice for 52-week orchestra auditions.

And as far as that horrible Max debt is concerned, there is already a backstage rumor that the board is going to attempt some decisive action before year’s end.  But glass-half-full or not, it’s impossible to feel very good about the DSO these days. To try to do that, we need to look farther into the future, when some of the DSO leaders, to use Mr. Stryker’s term, take actions which set the Detroit Symphony back on a road of significant recovery and finally recreate an organization of which all can be proud.  Accompanying this vision of the future is Emily Dickinson’s famous poetic description of hope, which perches in the soul, and sings the song without the words, and never stops at all.

*    It could have been worse indeed.  Management’s most noxious proposals were deflected at the settlement negotiations by the DSO musicians negotiating committee along with Local 5 President Gordon Stump and Attorney Leonard Leibowitz.

** Some of the substitute musicians are Syracuse Symphony members, whose board of directors  demolished their orchestra with a Chapter 7 bankruptcy last April.    

 

DSO ANNOUNCES INAUGURAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT MONTH

(DETROIT, November 1, 2011) — The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) has announced November, 2011 as its inaugural Community Support Month, which will kick off with the opening of the DSO’s Paradise Jazz Series on Thursday, Nov. 3. This effort marks the first concert-based fundraiser in DSO history.

As the DSO establishes its identity as a community-supported orchestra, Community Support Month is aimed at greatly expanding the Annual Fund donor base and providing each ticket buyer with more meaningful opportunities to make Annual Fund gifts to the DSO.

“I think everyone understands that ticket sales account for a smaller and smaller portion of our annual operating costs and the DSO’s vitality and sustainability relies heavily on the engaged support of individual members from our community,” said Anne Parsons, DSO president and CEO. “Investment in the DSO through participation in our Annual Fund validates that what we do for music, musicians and audiences alike truly matters. This regular support also helps keep the lights on and our education programs running throughout the year and for years to come.”

Concert goers can make a contribution via envelope, pledge card, by phone, or even by text from anywhere, including right from Orchestra Hall. Each donor will receive access to the Herman and Sharon Frankel Donor Lounge, on the evening of their gift and a parking voucher. November is the first of two Community Support Months this season. The second will take place in May, 2012.

Videos of board members, donors and Detroit moguls will open each concert during Community Support Month, with the featured patron explaining why they support the DSO and what role the organization plays in the future of Detroit.

Community Support Month festivities are scheduled the following concerts.

November 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27

December 2-4

May 3, 4, 6, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19

About the DSO

The internationally acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the fourth-oldest symphony orchestra in the United States, is known for trailblazing performances, visionary maestros, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and an unwavering commitment to Detroit. Esteemed conductor Leonard Slatkin, called “America’s Music Director” by the Los Angeles Times, became the 12th Music Director of the DSO during the 2008-09 season. The DSO offers a performance schedule that includes Classical, Pops, Jazz, Young People’s, Neighborhood concerts and festivals. The DSO makes its home in historic Orchestra Hall, one of America’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, and actively pursues a mission to impact and serve the community through music. For more information visit www.dso.org.

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The Musicians. . . Orchestra Roster

These links are taken from, and will direct you to, the webpage of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Musicians.  Check out their excellent webpage at http://www.detroitsymphonymusicians.org

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FIRST VIOLIN	BASSES	FRENCH HORN
Kimberly A. Kaloyanides Kennedy	Alexander Hanna+	Karl Pituch+
Acting Concertmaster	Stephen Molina++	Bryan Kennedy
Hai-Xin Wu	Maxim Janowsky	Corbin Wagner
Assistant Concertmaster	Linton Bodwin	Mark Abbott
Beatriz Budinszky*	Stephen Edwards	David Everson++^
Marguerite Deslippe-Dene*	Craig Rifel
Elias Friedenzohn*	Marshall Hutchinson	TRUMPETS
Joseph Goldman*	Richard Robinson	Stephen Anderson#
Laurie Landers Goldman*		Kevin Good
Eun Park*	HARP	William Lucas
Adrienne Rönmark*	Patricia Masri-Fletcher+
Laura Rowe*		TROMBONES
Greg Staples*	FLUTES	Kenneth Thompkins+
LeAnn Toth*	Philip Dikeman#^	Nathaniel Gurin++
	Sharon Wood Sparrow	Randall Hawes
SECOND VIOLINS	Jeffery Zook
Adam Stepniewski++		BASS TROMBONE
Alvin Score	PICCOLO	Randall Hawes
Lilit Danielyan*^	Jeffery Zook
Ron Fisher		TUBA
Hong-Yi Mo*	OBOES	Dennis Nulty +
Robert Murphy*	Donald Baker+
Bruce Smith*	Shelley Heron	TIMPANI
Joseph Striplin*	Brian Ventura++	Brian Jones+^
Marian Tanau*	Geoffrey Johnson §
		PERCUSSION
VIOLAS	ENGLISH HORN	Ian Ding++^
Alexander Mishnaevski+
James VanValkenburg++		LIBRARIANS
Caroline Coade	CLARINETS	Robert Stiles+
Glenn Mellow	Theodore Oien+	Ethan Allen
Shanda Lowery-Sachs	Douglas Cornelsen
Hart Hollman	Laurence Liberson++	LEGEND
Han Zheng	Shannon Orme	+   Principal
Hang Su		++  Assistant Principal
Catherine Compton	E-FLAT CLARINET	#   Acting Principal
	Laurence Liberson	##  Acting Assistant Principal
VIOLINCELLO		^   Extended Leave/Sabbatical
Robert deMaine+	BASS CLARINET	*   These members may
Marcy Chanteaux++	Shannon Orme	voluntarily revolve seating
John Thurman		within the section on a regular
Robert Bergman*	BASSOONS	basis.
Carole Gatwood*	Robert Williams+	§   African-American Orchestra
Haden McKay*	Victoria King	Fellow: Made possible by the
Úna O’Riordan*	Michael Ke Ma++	National Endowment for the
Paul Wingert*	Marcus Schoon	Arts.
	CONTRA BASSOON
	Marcus Schoon

To purchase, call the Max M. Fisher Music Center Box Office at 313.576.5111.

Available Concerts will be posted on September 24, 2011.

* Soundcard is valid for Classical, Pops, and Paradise Jazz Series concerts performed in Orchestra Hall. Membership is valid from October 8, 2011 – June 17, 2012. Tickets are issued up to two weeks prior to each concert. Cardbearer must present a valid student ID to will call attendant or usher upon arrival. The name on the student ID must match the name on the cardbearer’s account. Cards and tickets are non-transferrable. Admittance is subject to availability and seating is at the discretion of the Box Office.