PINCHAS ZUKERMAN
Paul Labelle photo

Wednesday, January 23, 2008, 8 pm

ROYAL PHILHARMONIC
ORCHESTRA
Pinchas Zukerman, Conductor & Violin
Jean-Philippe Tremblay,
  Guest Conductor

Elgar: Serenade for Strings, Op. 20
Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor

Sponsors:
  Bitsy Becton Bacon/Becton Family Fndn.
  André Saltoun & Michele Neely
Co-Sponsors:
  Andrew & Helen Burnett
  Robert & Sherry Gilson/
    Merrill Lynch Montecito
  Chris Lancashire

Formed by Sir Thomas Beecham in 1946, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra today enjoys an international reputation for excellence in performance. In its self-appointed role as Britain’s national orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic has toured more than thirty countries in recent years. A master of our time, Pinchas Zukerman is equally respected as a virtuoso violinist, violist, conductor, teacher and chamber musician in a career spanning nearly four decades. He is Music Director of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra and chair of the Pinchas Zukerman Performance Program at the Manhattan School of Music. He appears in concert with the world’s finest orchestras and in over 100 recordings, earning 21 Grammy® nominations and two awards.

Pinchas Zukerman “seemed the forever-young virtuoso: expressively resourceful, infectiously musical, technically impeccable, effortless.”
   – Los Angeles Times

Thursday, February 28, 2008, 8 pm

CZECH PHILHARMONIC
ORCHESTRA
Leos Svárovsky, Conductor

Martinu: Symphony No. 1
Mahler: Symphony No. 5 in
  C-sharp minor

Sponsors:
  The Nichols Foundation/
    John & Kathleen Moseley
  Elaine Stepanek
Co-Sponsor:
  Bertling & Clausen, LLP

The Czech Philharmonic gave its first concert in 1896, conducted by famed composer Antonín Dvorák. Today, the orchestra regularly spends over two months of the year on tours that have taken them through Europe, the United States, Japan and South America. Leos Svárovsky is Principal Guest Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic and former Chief Conductor of the Brno Philharmonic. He directs a program of Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu’s powerful Symphony No. 1, and Gustav Mahler’s emotional colossus, the Symphony No. 5.

“The Czech Philharmonic is the finest ensemble from the Eastern Bloc.”
   – The Washington Post

Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 8 pm

STATE SYMPHONY OF MEXICO
(Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de México)
Enrique Bátiz, Conductor
Alfonso Moreno, Guitar

Buxtehude/Chávez: Chaconne in E minor
Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez
Revueltas: “Sensemayá” (Snake Killing Ritual)
Turina: Danzas Fantásticas
Granados: Intermezzo from "Goyescas"
De Falla: “Three Cornered Hat” Suite No. 2

Principal Sponsor:
  Judith L. Hopkinson
Sponsor:
  Ruth McEwen
Co-Sponsor:
  Linda Brown

Founded in 1971 under the initiative of Maestro Enrique Bátiz and the government of Mexico, the State Symphony of Mexico has endeavored to carry its music to all corners of Mexico. Based in Toluca, the orchestra has toured the United States and Europe, and hosted many distinguished guest directors and soloists. Enrique Bátiz, among the most celebrated conductors of Latin America, studied piano and conducting at the Juilliard School of Music. He is guest conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and has led more than 500 orchestras around the world. Mexican classical guitarist Alfonso Moreno is appreciated worldwide for the sweetness, depth and sincerity of his interpretations. Winner of the 1968 Paris International Guitar Competition, he has given over 3000 concerts throughout Europe, America and Asia, and has music degrees in violin, composition, conducting and guitar.

Alfonso Moreno is “the brightest talent to arrive on the classical-guitar scene.”
   – New York Times

“Alfonso Moreno created a beautiful interpretation of the Concierto de Aranjuez. He is an artist of great sensitivity and a great artistic personality.”
   – Joaquín Rodrigo, composer of the Concierto
      de Aranjuez

SIR NEVILLE MARRINER
Mike Hoban photo

Wednesday, March 26, 2008, 8 pm

ACADEMY OF ST. MARTIN
IN THE FIELDS
Sir Neville Marriner, Conductor
Yuja Wang, Piano

Mozart: Symphony No. 31 in D Major,
  K. 297 "Paris"
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor,
  K. 491
Mendelssohn: Sinfonia No. 10 in B minor
Haydn: Symphony No. 104 in D Major

Principal Sponsor:
  Léni Fé Bland
Sponsors:
  The Stephen & Carla Hahn Foundation
  Herbert & Elaine Kendall

Formed in 1958 by Sir Neville Marriner, the Grammy® Award-winning Academy of St. Martin in the Fields is one of today’s most respected chamber orchestras, known for its brilliantly energetic sound and exceptional standard of musicianship. As the world’s most recorded chamber orchestra, the Academy’s discography now includes well over 500 entries. Twenty-one year-old Chinese pianist Yuja Wang is winner of the 2006 Gilmore Young Artist Award. She has performed with the some of the world’s leading orchestras including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic.

“The arrival of Chinese-born pianist Yuja Wang on the musical scene is an exhilarating and unnerving development. To listen to her in action is to re-examine whatever assumptions you may have had about how well the piano can actually be played.”
   – San Francisco Chronicle

NADJA SALERNO-SONNENBERG
Grant Leighton photo

Wednesday, April 9, 2008, 8 pm

SEATTLE SYMPHONY
Gerard Schwarz, Conductor
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Violin

Wagner: Three excerpts from Act III,
   "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg":
       Introduction
       Dance of the Apprentices
       Procession of the Meistersingers
Barber: Violin Concerto, Op. 14
R. Strauss: “Don Juan," Op. 20
R. Strauss (arr. G. Schwarz):
   Suite from "Die Rosenkavalier," Op. 59

Sponsors:
  The CAMA Musicians Society
  The CAMA Women's Board
  Theodore Plute/Larry Falxa
  Nancy & Kent Wood

Giving its first performance in 1903, the Seattle Symphony has secured a reputation for innovative and adventurous programming and recording, devoting itself to presenting often-neglected masterpieces by mid-20th century composers. Many of these works can now be heard on CDs issued by Naxos and other labels. Renowned American conductor Gerard Schwarz has served as Music Director of the Seattle Symphony since 1983. His vast repertoire, including devotion to the music of our time, has earned him praise in concert and recording. The youngest recipient ever of the Walter W. Naumburg International Violin Competition in 1981, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg has since established a reputation as one of the world’s preeminent violinists. Born in Rome and trained in the United States at the Curtis Institute and the Juilliard School, she has appeared worldwide in concert, in recording, and on television programming from CBS’ 60 Minutes to PBS’ Sesame Street.

Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg is “the most gifted and serious violinist of her generation.”
   – Austin American-Statesman (Michael Barnes,
      "Out & About")

Friday, October 12, 2007, 8 pm

ANDRÁS SCHIFF, Piano
In Recital

All-Beethoven Program
Sonata No. 5 in C minor, Op. 10, No. 1
Sonata No. 6 in F Major, Op. 10, No. 2
Sonata No. 7 in D Major, Op. 10, No. 3
Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13
  ("Pathétique")

Principal Sponsor:
  Virginia Castagnola-Hunter/Jeanne Thayer
Sponsor:
  The Stephen & Carla Hahn Foundation

In 2004, acclaimed master pianist András Schiff began a series of performances that explore the 32 Beethoven piano sonatas in chronological order – a project recorded live in Zürich’s Tonhalle for ECM New Series. Mr. Schiff repeats the Beethoven Sonata Project throughout North America during the 2007-2008 season. As part of this tour, he returns to the Lobero Theatre to perform Beethoven’s three Opus 10 sonatas and the monumental “Pathétique” Sonata in C minor, Opus 13.

“Schiff stands with perhaps only a handful of pianists in his total achievement of the most severe beauty.” 
   – Philadelphia Inquirer

Tuesday, November 6, 2007, 8 pm

INGRID FLITER, Piano
In Recital

Haydn: Sonata in E minor, Hob. XVI:34
Schubert: Impromptu in E-flat Major,
  Op. 90, No. 2
Beethoven: Sonata No. 18
  in E-flat Major, Op. 31, No. 3
Chopin: Nocturne in B Major,
  Op. 9, No. 3
Chopin: Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58

Sponsor:
  Nancy & Kent Wood

In 2006, Argentinian pianist Ingrid Fliter was named the fifth recipient of the Gilmore Artist Award, given to a pianist of broad and profound musicianship who can sustain a career as a major international concert artist. (Past recipients include Piotr Anderszewski, Leif Ove Andsnes, Ralf Gothóni and David Owen Norris.) Ms. Fliter has appeared in recital at Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw of Amsterdam, and many other great halls; and as featured soloist with orchestras including the Warsaw, Cologne and Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestras.

“…an exciting technique and keen intelligence animated by an impetuous temperament…a remarkable talent.”
   – New York Times

Wednesday, January 9, 2008, 8 pm

DAVID DANIELS, Countertenor
In Recital
MARTIN KATZ, Piano

Johannes Brahms:
  "Auf dem See," "Ständchen,"
  "Nicht mehr zu dir zu gehen,"
  "Mein Mädel hat einen Rosenmund,"
  "O wüsst' ich doch den Weg zurück"
Jacopo Peri: "Gioite al canto mio"
Francesco Durante:
  "Danza, danza fanciulla"
Giulio Caccini: "Amarilli"
Girolamo Frescobaldi: "Così mi disprezzate"
Reynaldo Hahn:
  "À Chloris," "Quand je fus pris
  au pavillon," "Chanson au bord d'une
  fontaine," "Paysage"
George Frideric Handel:
  from Rinaldo: "Cara sposa, amante cara,"
  from Partenope: "Furibondo spira il vento"
Roger Quilter:
  "Music When Soft Voices Die"
Ralph Vaughan Williams: "Linden Lea"
Sir Edward Elgar: "Where Corals Lie"
Herbert Howells: "King David"
Arranged by Roger Quilter:
  "Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes"
Gerald Finzi: "It was a Lover and his Lass"

Principal Sponsor:
  Dolores M. Hsu
Co-Sponsor:
  Carol L. Valentine

American countertenor* David Daniels, has appeared with the world's major opera companies and on its main concert and recital stages. He is the first countertenor to give a solo recital in the main auditorium of Carnegie Hall. Known for his superlative artistry, magnetic stage presence and a voice of singular warmth and surpassing beauty, Gramophone magazine named him one of the “Top Ten Trailblazers” in classical music today, recognizing his contribution to recorded excellence as well as his expansion of the repertoire for his voice type.

*A countertenor is an adult male who sings in the alto and soprano range.

“To say that he is the most acclaimed countertenor of the day, perhaps the best ever, is to understate his achievement. He is simply a great singer.”
   – New York Times

Thursday, February 14, 2008, 8 pm

HESPÈRION XXI
& LA CAPELLA REIAL DE CATALUNYA
Jordi Savall, Director & Viola da Gamba
Montserrat Figueras, Soprano

Program:
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS
Lost Paradises
Lights and Shadows in the Age of Columbus:
History and Poetry in dialogue with Arabo-Andalusian, Jewish and Christian music of Ancient Hesperia until the discovery of the New World.

Sponsor:
  The CAMA Women's Board

In this remarkable program, Jordi Savall, master of the viola da gamba and renowned early music scholar, leads Hespèrion XXI and La Capella Reial de Catalunya in a vibrantly diverse program highlighting the cultural riches of two “Lost Paradises”: Spain before the Christian conquest of Granada and the expulsion of the Jews in 1492; and the “New World” before its colonization, beginning that same year with the voyage of Columbus. Savall and his ensembles interweave music, historical texts and poetry of this period to offer an intense portrait of a time of profound religious and cultural change. Courtly music, preserved in manuscripts, is complemented by music from the Arab and Jewish oral traditions, as well as the symbolic evocation of music from the New World.

“The term ‘early-music superstar’ is surely an oxymoron. But in the most understated of repertory, on the most subdued of instruments and in the most self-effacing way, Jordi Savall comes close to being one.”
   – New York Times