DR. PHILLIPS CENTER PRESENTS “GREAT AMERICAN ORCHESTRA SERIES’ IN STEINMETZ HALL

JOSH RECOMMENDS Dr. Phillips Center Presents “Great American Orchestra Series” in Steinmetz Hall

Hear three of the world’s greatest Orchestras in one of the world’s greatest concert halls in downtown Orlando.

By Josh Garrick

In yet another triumph for our extraordinary Dr. Phillips Center, three of the world’s greatest orchestras will perform in the NEW Steinmetz Hall – a performance space that is already being called one of the world’s great concert halls.

In one brilliant series, three of the nation’s greatest orchestras will travel to Orlando to perform in Steinmetz Hall for the new “Great American Orchestra Series.” The internationally renowned ensembles of the Chicago Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra will bring their grand orchestral sound to the Dr. Phillips Center’s acoustically remarkable space in January and February 2023 - an experience traditionally available only in legendary places like New York City’s Carnegie Hall -- until now.

The idea for the series is brilliant on several levels – not only in terms of allowing the orchestral audience of Central Florida to experience these legendary orchestras here in Orlando, but in a more subtle way the performances will introduce the Orchestra PLAYERS and Conductors from these great orchestras to hear for themselves the unparalleled sound of the new Steinmetz Hall.

Kathy Ramsberger, president & CEO of the Dr.

Phillips Center, said, “It’s a great way to celebrate the oneyear anniversary of Steinmetz Hall by presenting some of the nation’s most accomplished musicians and showcasing their sounds in the one-of-a-kind concert hall.”

The series will begin on Sunday, January 22 at 3 pm with the ensemble which the New York Times has called “America’s finest orchestra.” It has been said that the sublime “sound” of the Cleveland Orchestra, which turned 100 in 2018, comes from the extraordinary relationship between the Orchestra and their Conductor Franz Welser-Möst. The 21-year collaboration is widely acknowledged among the best orchestra-conductor partnerships of today. The extraordinary Program Weiser-Most will bring to Orlando will include SCHUBERT’s Symphony No. 8 (“Unfinished”) and TCHAIKOVSKY’s Symphony No. 6 (“Pathétique”).

Famous for the richness of their “full bodied” tone, and the innovation of their programming, the Philadelphia Orchestra will perform on Friday, February 17 at 7:30 pm with principal guest conductor Nathalie Stutzmann. The news of Stutzman’s appearance on the program is special for several reasons including the fact that the French singerconductor will be the orchestra’s first female conductor as well as the first woman conductor to lead an orchestra in Steinmetz Hall. Joined by guest violinist Gil Shahan, the Orchestra will perform the BRAHMS Violin Concerto on a program that includes DVORAK’S Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”).

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra will conclude the Great American Orchestra Series on Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30 pm with the renowned Italian Conductor and Music Director Riccardo Muti. During Muti’s 10-year- tenure, the Orchestra has nurtured its legacy while supporting a new generation of musicians and composers. Audience members for the Chicago Symphony will experience the Orchestra’s famous depth of sound and always-exciting programming when Muti takes the stage to perform BEETHOVEN’S “Coriolan Overture” and Symphony No. 8. The evening will conclude with MUSSORGSKY’s evocatively colorful and exciting “Pictures at an Exhibition.”

For tickets visit drphillipscenter.org/events The Great American Orchestra Series in Steinmetz Hall:

The Cleveland Orchestra

Sunday, January 22 at 3 p.m. Franz Welser-Möst, conductor Program to include: SCHUBERT — Symphony No. 8 (“Unfinished”) TCHAIKOVSKY — Symphony No. 6 (“Pathétique”)

The Philadelphia Orchestra

Friday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m. Nathalie Stutzmann, conductor Gil Shaham, violin Program to include: BRAHMS — Violin Concerto (Gil Shaham, violin) DVOŘÁK — Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”)

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. Riccardo Muti, conductor Program to include: BEETHOVEN — Coriolan Overture BEETHOVEN — Symphony No. 8 LYADOV — The Enchanted Lake MUSSORGSKY — Pictures at an Exhibition