Helena Symphony 2012-2013 Season by Deanna Johnson

2 0 1 2 2 0 1 3 SEASON 58

6 Masterworks Concerts 40 Works of Music 90 Chorus Singers 78 Orchestra Players 18 Guest Artists 15 Hours of Music-Making 11 Exciting Performances

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Exciting Season All for You! www.helenasymphony.org

season highlights Exergy Masterworks Series

Opening Night with HSO’s Concertmaster Stephen Cepeda & Ravel’s Bolero // Requiems by Brahms, Fauré, and Mozart // Wagner’s Ring Cycle – An Orchestral Tribute for Wagner’s 200th Birthday // Masterworks by Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Brahms, Handel, Bartók, Shostakovich, Debussy, Mozart, and Wagner // Music by composers of our time, such as Henryk Górecki, Joseph Schwantner, and Jennifer Higdon

World-Class Guest Artists

Internationally-renowned soloists perform with the Helena Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, including superstar Percussionist Lynn Vartan, Philadelphia Orchestra Violinist Richard Amoroso, Romanian Pianist Alexandra Costin, and 12 opera singers!

Holiday Concerts

The return of Handel’s MESSIAH and the Family Holiday Concert with Kid Konductors! usher in the holiday season.

Cellist Ovidiu Marinescu

After last season’s much celebrated performance, critically-acclaimed Cellist Ovidiu Marinescu returns for a special solo recital.

Symphony Under the Stars

One of the most celebrated events in Montana, the Symphony Under the Stars at Carroll College continues with an evening of great music and a fabulous fireworks display. This is a FREE event for over 15,000 people, so pack your blankets now!

Youth Concert

The Student Assistance Foundation Youth Concert brings over 1,500 fourth and fifth grade students to an afternoon of music created just for them!

Helena Symphony

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Symphony Under the Stars The Wild West

Saturday, 21 July 2012 / 8:30PM / Carroll College

exergy masterworks concert I Opening Night with Tchaikovsky’s Violin & Bolero Saturday, 15 September 2012 / 7:00PM / Helena Civic Center

EXERGY MASTERWORKS CONCERT II Beethoven’s Piano & Brahms’ Requiem

Saturday, 20 October 2012 / 7:30PM / Helena Civic Center

SPECIAL EVENT Platinum Preludes – Bits & Pieces

Saturday, 3 November 2012 / 6:00PM / Red Fox Supper Club

NON-SUBSCRIPTION CONCERT I Handel’s Messiah

Sunday, 2 December 2012 / 7:30PM / Cathedral of Saint Helena

NON-SUBSCRIPTION CONCERT II Family Holiday Concert with Kid Konductors! Sunday, 9 December 2012 / 3:00PM / Helena Civic Center

SOLO RECITAL BY WORLD-RENOWNED CELLIST OVIDIU MARINESCU Friday, 11 January 2013 / 7:30PM / Myrna Loy Center

EXERGY MASTERWORKS CONCERT III Bang a Drum!

Saturday, 26 January 2013 / 7:30PM / Helena Civic Center

STUDENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION Youth Concert

Thursday, 21 February 2013 / 1:00PM / Helena Civic Center

EXERGY MASTERWORKS CONCERT IV Fauré’s Requiem in the Cathedral

Monday, 25 February 2013 / 7:30PM / Cathedral of Saint Helena

EXERGY MASTERWORKS CONCERT V Violin Virtuosity & Debussy’s La Mer

Saturday, 23 March 2013 / 7:30PM / Helena Civic Center

EXERGY MASTERWORKS CONCERT VI Mozart’s Requiem & Wagner’s Ring

Saturday, 20 April 2013 / 7:30PM / Helena Civic Center

www.helenasymphony.org

SATURDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2012 7:00PM / HELENA CIVIC CENTER

stephen cepeda helena symphony orchestra

concertmaster

Exergy Masterworks Concert I:

Opening Night Celebration with Tchaikovsky’s Violin and Bolero Allan R. Scott, conducting • Stephen Cepeda, violin • Helena Symphony Orchestra

TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto HIGDON Concerto for Orchestra RAVEL Bolero

The 58th Season opens with a celebration of the virtuosity of the Helena Symphony Orchestra. Tchaikovsky’s legendary Violin Concerto begins the program featuring the superb artistry of Concertmaster Stephen Cepeda. The Concerto for Orchestra by popular American composer Jennifer Higdon and Ravel’s sensually hypnotic Bolero make for a thrilling beginning to an incredible season.

Higdon

The evening concludes with a dessert reception in the Helena Civic Center Ballroom Opening Night is not to be missed! (NOTE: Concert begins at 7:00PM)

Helena Symphony

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SATURDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2012 Hendrickson

McVey

Costin

7:30PM / HELENA CIVIC CENTER

Exergy Masterworks Concert II:

Beethoven’s Piano and Brahms’ Requiem

Allan R. Scott, conducting • Alexandra Costin, piano Diana McVey, soprano • Brandon Hendrickson, baritone Casper College Collegiate Chorale, Patrick E.K. Patton, artistic director Helena Symphony Orchestra & Chorale

The first of three powerful Requiems this season! BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3 BRAHMS A German Requiem

Internationally-noted Romanian Pianist Alexandra Costin performs Beethoven’s fiery Third Piano Concerto, and the performance climaxes with one of the greatest works that brings spiritual consolation to humanity – Brahms’ Requiem.

www.helenasymphony.org

SATURDAY, 26 JANUARY 2013 7:30PM / HELENA CIVIC CENTER

Exergy Masterworks Concert III:

Bang a Drum!

Allan R. Scott, conducting • Lynn Vartan, percussion • Helena Symphony Orchestra

SCHWANTNER Percussion Concerto BARTÓK Concerto for Orchestra

Nationally acclaimed Percussionist Lynn Vartan returns to perform the Grammy-award winning Percussion Concerto by American composer Joseph Schwantner. Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra remains one of the gems of all of music and brings the concert to a brilliant resounding conclusion.

Helena Symphony

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MONDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2013 7:30PM / CATHEDRAL OF SAINT HELENA

Exergy Masterworks Concert IV:

Fauré’s Requiem in the Cathedral

Allan R. Scott, conducting • Saundra DeAthos, soprano • Kevin Mathews, baritone Helena Symphony Orchestra & Chorale

GÓRECKI Symphony No. 3, Symphony of Sorrowful Songs FAURÉ Requiem

The Helena Symphony’s tribute to powerful Requiems continues as the Helena Symphony Orchestra & Chorale perform the serene and reassuring Requiem by French master Gabriel Fauré. The program opens with the mesmerizing and reflective music of Henryk Górecki’s Symphony of Sorrowful Songs. DeAthos

Mathews

www.helenasymphony.org

SATURDAY, 23 MARCH 2013 7:30PM / HELENA CIVIC CENTER

Exergy Masterworks Concert V:

VIOLIN VIRTUOSITY AND DEBUSSY’S LA MER Allan R. Scott, conducting • Richard Amoroso, violin Helena Symphony Orchestra

SHOSTAKOVICH Violin Concerto No. 1 RESPIGHI Ancient Airs & Dances: Suite II DEBUSSY La Mer

Philadelphia Orchestra Violinist Richard Amoroso performs the jaw-dropping Violin Concerto by Shostakovich, and the HSO brings the reflections, colors, fantastical, Impressionistic vision of Debussy’s masterpiece La Mer.

Helena Symphony

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SATURDAY, 20 APRIL 2013 7:30PM / HELENA CIVIC CENTER

celebrating 200 years of

Exergy Masterworks Concert VI:

Mozart’s Requiem and Wagner’s Ring

Allan R. Scott, conducting Amy Little, soprano • Teresa Buchholz, mezzo soprano • Kirk Dougherty, tenor • Joseph Flaxman, baritone Helena Symphony Orchestra & Chorale

Little

MOZART WAGNER

Buchholz

Dougherty

Flaxman

Requiem Excerpts from The Ring Cycle

The unfinished and monumental masterpiece of Mozart completes the Requiems this season. If that is not enough, the HSO performs highlights of the most enduring operatic spectacles of all time – Wagner’s four operas that make up the famous Ring Cycle, celebrating the composer’s 200th birthday. Two powerful works to conclude the season! www.helenasymphony.org

2012 2013 non-subscription events SATURDAY, 21 JULY 2012 / 8:30PM / CARROLL COLLEGE Symphony under the stars

The Wild West

Allan R. Scott, conducting • Mark O’Connor, violin WOMEN OF THE Helena Symphony Chorale • Helena Symphony Orchestra

Pack your blankets and picnics as the Helena Symphony & Carroll College present the ninth annual Symphony Under the Stars featuring the music from the Wild West. From the excitement of exploration to the nostalgic sounds of the prairie, the Helena Symphony Orchestra features music from great western films, American songs, and world renowned violinist & fiddler Mark O’Connor. The evening culminates with one of the best fireworks shows in Montana. This is a FREE PERFORMANCE! Limited reserved seating is available for purchase.

SUNDAY, 2 DECEMBER 2012 / 7:30PM / CATHEDRAL OF SAINT HELENA non-subscription concert I:

Handel’s Messiah

Allan R. Scott, conducting • Kristen Plumley, soprano • Jan Wilson, mezzo soprano David Cody, tenor • Frederick Fry, baritone • Helena Symphony Orchestra & Chorale

After much anticipation, the Helena Symphony ushers in the holiday season with Maestro Scott’s award-winning interpretation of one of the greatest works of all time – the return of Handel’s Messiah. Buy early! This performance will sell out quickly! Subscribers receive preferred seating choices.

Helena Symphony

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SUNDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2012 / 3:00PM / HELENA CIVIC CENTER non-subscription concert concert II: II: non-subscription

Breanne Breanne Cepeda, Cepeda, conducting conducting •• H Helena elena S Symphony ymphony O Orchestra rchestra & &C Chorale horale

Design Design for for audiences audiences of of all all ages, ages, the the Helena Helena Symphony Symphony continues continues the the holiday holiday season season celebration with seasonal favorites, including Kid Konductors! where children celebration with seasonal favorites, including Kid Konductors! where children ages ages 3-12 3-12 are are selected selected to to lead lead the the Helena Helena Symphony Symphony Orchestra Orchestra && Chorale. Chorale. This This makes makes for for aa perfect perfect afternoon Subscribers receive receive preferred preferred seating seating choices. choices. afternoon concert concert for for the the entire entire family! family! Subscribers

FRIDAY, 11 JANUARY 2013 / 7:30PM / MYRNA LOY CENTER special solo appearance by world-renowned cellist

OVIDIU MARINESCU

After last season’s much celebrated performance, critically-acclaimed Cellist Ovidiu Marinescu returns for a special solo recital. Mr. Marinescu is considered one of the leading recording artists and cellists of our time. Experience his artistry in an intimate setting in a rare solo recital appearance!

THURSDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2013 / 1:00PM / HELENA CIVIC CENTER STUDENT ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION

Youth Concert

Nearly 2,000 fourth and fifth graders from all over the region are invited through their school music programs to attend a concert created just for them. The young music lovers are entertained and inspired all while learning the importance of music in one’s education and life. Tickets are not sold for this concert – students attend through their school music program. www.helenasymphony.org

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAG E PAI D H E LE NA, MT PE R M IT NO. 232

PO Box 1073 Helena, MT 59624

S ubscri be to the Sy m pho ny tod ay! Significant Discounts: Subscribers save up to 30% off regular ticket prices! // Conductor’s Pre-Concert Crash Course: Gain a better understanding of the evening’s repertoire from the podium’s perspective. Join Maestro Scott 45 minutes before every Masterworks Concert for his nationally renowned presentations about works that will be performed that evening — an exclusive benefit to Masterworks Series subscribers! // Advance Program Notes: Receive program notes in The Art of Listening newsletter in advance of all Masterworks Concerts. // Priority Seating: Subscribers receive first priority on seating each season. All seats are reserved and subscribers get the best seats in the house AND priority on all non-subscription concerts. // Flexible Ticket Exchange and Preferential Service: Subscribers receive preferential treatment if tickets are misplaced, lost, or require an exchange.

The Helena Symphony is grateful to its Season Partners

Meeting Rooms

Newly Remodeled!