2015-2016 BNY Mellon Grand Classics Brochure

The art of play.

Jennifer Ross, Principal Second Violin

Welcome to

the 2015-2016 Dear Friend of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra,

season!

From familiar favorites to ground-breaking premieres with amazing guest artists, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and I look forward to sharing many remarkable, musicfilled weekends with you during the 2015-2016 season.

The season will be illuminated by the great talents of the Pittsburgh Symphony’s own Noah Bendix-Balgley, violin; Gretchen Van Hoesen, harp; and Michael Rusinek, clarinet, and we will also be featuring exciting repertoire and debuts by emerging young musicians and conductors. We are pleased to introduce the renowned international conductor Jirˇí Beˇlohlávek and welcome the return of beloved pianist Emanuel Ax. A particular highlight for me will be a newly designed, semi-staged production of Bach's St. John Passion — the first time this amazing work has been presented in Heinz Hall.

Every year, we present a Composer of the Year and this season, we celebrate the virtuosity and talents of performer-composers. Following in the tradition of famed composers of previous centuries who were composers in addition to being outstanding solo performers, I am very excited to hear the pianists Daniil Trifonov and Conrad Tao, percussionist Stewart Copeland and organist Cameron Carpenter as they each present their own compositions.

It is important to me that you, our loyal audience, enjoy each visit you make to Heinz Hall to experience our brilliant Pittsburgh Symphony. I'm looking forward to you joining us for this remarkable year.

Sincerely,

Manfred Honeck, Music Director

Season Ticket Holder Benefits SEASON TICKETS MEAN MORE THAN JUST WORLD-CLASS MUSIC:

TICKET EXCHANGE Exchange your tickets for any other concert within the 2015-2016 BNY Mellon Grand Classics season. Season ticket holders can make exchanges up to one hour prior to the concert. Ticket exchanges made online are free.

DEDICATED PATRON SERVICES Each season ticket holder has a designated Patron Services Representative (PSR) to personally answer Heinz Hall or Symphony-related questions and to take care of all ticketing and donation needs. Call us at 412.392.4900.

PRIORITY SEATING Season ticket holders have priority access to their current seat(s) and have priority over the general public on all seating within the BNY Mellon Grand Classics season.

GREAT SAVINGS Save on the concerts within your season ticket package.

Plus, save 15% on additional ticket purchases to any BNY Mellon Grand Classics, PNC Pops, Highmark Holiday Pops or Fiddlesticks Family Concerts.

RESERVED PARKING Season ticket holders have the opportunity to pre-purchase parking in the garage across the street from Heinz Hall for just $8 per concert.

EXCLUSIVE PRE-SALE OPPORTUNITIES As a season ticket holder, you will receive exclusive pre-sale opportunities to special concerts before the general public on-sale.

PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY DOWNLOADS Get the music of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in digital form. As a season ticket holder, you can download select Symphony performances for free.

Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida, Principal Oboe

PURCHASE TICKETS YOUR WAY

HERE ARE THREE SIMPLE WAYS YOU CAN PURCHASE OR RENEW SEASON TICKETS TO THE PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA:

CALL

Call the Heinz Hall Box Office at 412.392.4900

(toll-free 800.743.8560).

CLICK

Visit pittsburghsymphony.org/subscribe.

VISIT

Visit the Heinz Hall Box Office (Monday-Friday 9 am-8 pm and Saturday 12-4 pm) or visit the season ticket table in the lobby of Heinz Hall during your next Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concert.

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS SPOTLIGHT ON

PERFORMERCOMPOSERS Every season, the Pittsburgh Symphony presents a Composer of the Year, but this year we offer audiences a colorful twist.

This season’s spotlight focuses on several different composers who will present their own works! Pianist Daniil Trifonov brings his breathtaking performance style to the Heinz Hall stage twice this season, including performing his own piano concerto.

Conrad Tao, a young piano phenom, presents his composition,

Páng, in October. Percussionist Stewart Copeland, drummer from The Police, presents "The Tyrant’s Crush," a Pittsburgh Symphony commission, in February. Western Pennsylvania native and trendsetting organist Cameron Carpenter applies his larger-than-life flair to his Pittsburgh Symphony co-commissioned Concerto for Organ and Orchestra. Marvel as these multitalented artists unveil their vivid masterpieces before your eyes!

David Premo, Associate Principal Cello

SEPTEMBER 12, 2015 at 7 pm

GALA SPOTLIGHT

CINEMA SERENADE We kick off the 2015-2016 season in grand style when violin superstar Itzhak Perlman returns to Heinz Hall to perform some of the most moving songs from the Silver Screen with Music Director Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

DECEMBER 5, 2015 at 8 pm Manfred Honeck, conductor

HANDEL’S MESSIAH

BNY MELLON GRAND CLASSICS SPECIAL

Handel’s much adored oratorio, Messiah, will return to the Heinz Hall stage for one night only with the Pittsburgh Nancy Goeres, Principal Bassoon

Symphony Orchestra led by Music Director Manfred Honeck.

They will be joined by guest vocal soloists and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. A religious story of hope, inspiration and timeless expression, this masterpiece is traditionally associated with the holiday season and celebrated worldwide in performances throughout December.

SEATING

CHART SECOND BALCONY

R-W

GALLERY

L-Q

FAMILY CIRCLE

F-K A-E

DRESS CIRCLE

AA-DD

BALCONY Q

R-T

EE

O

-T

CC-

O-T

S

O-S

MAIN FLOOR

Q

S

GRAND BOX

E-

E

T-E

B-N

T-BB

GRAND TIER

CC-EE T-BB

E-N EQ

A-D A-Q

A

STAGE

GRAND BOX

PREMIERE 20 CONCERTS Fri. 8:00 pm

Black

$

Red

$

Green

$

Purple

$

Sun. 2:30 pm

1700

$

1360

1380

$

$

800

$

800

$

700

$

540

$

420

$

300

$

$

1060

$

860

$

720

$

520

$

340

$

$

Pink

$

Blue

$

Orange

$

1218

$

1100

1060

Yellow

OVATION 14 CONCERTS Fri. 8:00 pm

ORCHESTRA

A-Q

Sun. 2:30 pm

FORTE 7 CONCERTS Sat. 8:00 pm

1078

$

784

$

588

$

588

$

518

$

420

$

322

$

238

$

$

994

$

756

$

756

$

644

$

532

$

392

$

252

$

VIRTUOSO 7 CONCERTS Fri. 8:00 pm

630

$

525

$

385

$

385

$

329

$

280

$

203

$

140

$

Sun. 2:30 pm

630

$

525

$

385

$

385

$

329

$

280

$

203

$

140

$

BRAVURA 7 CONCERTS Fri. 8:00 pm

560

$

413

$

308

$

308

$

266

$

245

$

175

$

140

$

Sun. 2:30 pm

630

$

525

$

385

$

385

$

329

$

280

$

203

$

140

$

FIREWORKS 6 CONCERTS Fri. 8:00 pm

560

$

413

$

308

$

308

$

266

$

245

$

175

$

140

$

Sun. 2:30 pm

540

$

480

450

$

330

$

330

$

282

$

240

$

174

$

120

$

354 264 264 228 210 150 120

To purchase Messiah and Gala tickets, please refer to your renewal form, call 412.392.4900, or visit pittsburghsymphony.org.

2015-2016

BNY MELLON

GRAND CLASSICS SEASON PREMIERE

OVATION

Fri. 8:00 pm

Sun. 2:30 pm

Fri. 8:00 pm

Sun. 2:30 pm

FORTE Sat. 8:00 pm

01

Trifonov Plays Trifonov

Sep. 18

Sep. 20

Sep. 18

Sep. 20

02

Bach, Beethoven and Brahms

Sep. 25

Sep. 27

Sep. 25

Sep. 27

03

Villegas Plays Rodrigo

Oct. 9

Oct. 11

04

The Rite of Spring

Oct. 16

Oct. 18

Oct. 16

Oct. 18

05

Tao, Gershwin and Strauss

Oct. 30

Nov. 1

Oct. 30

Nov. 1

06

The Complete Má Vlast

Nov. 13

Nov. 15

Nov. 13

Nov. 15

07

A Waltz Tradition

Nov. 27

Nov. 29

08

Coronation Mass, Unfinished Symphony and Emperor Concerto

Dec. 4

Dec. 6

Dec. 4

Dec. 6

09

Fain Plays Glass

Jan. 15

Jan. 17

Jan. 15

Jan. 17

10

Rachmaninoff, Beethoven and William Tell

Jan. 29

Jan. 31

Jan. 29

Jan. 31

11

Valentine’s Day with Tristan und Isolde, Romeo and Juliet and Carmen

Feb. 12

Feb. 14

12

Stewart Copeland Debuts

Feb. 19

Feb. 21

13

St. John Passion

Mar. 4

Mar. 6

14

All Sibelius

Mar. 11

Mar. 13

Mar. 11

Mar. 13

15

Emanuel Ax Returns

Apr. 1

Apr. 3

Apr. 1

Apr. 3

16

Carpenter Plays Carpenter

Apr. 15

Apr. 17

17

Choose Your Own Tchaikovsky

May 6

May 8

May 6

May 8

May 7

18

Elektra and Der Rosenkavalier

May 13

May 15

May 13

May 15

May 14

19

The Earth: An HD Odyssey

June 10

June 12

20

Season Finale

June 17

June 19

Feb. 19

June 17

Fri. 8:00 pm

Sun. 2:30 pm

Sep. 18

Sep. 20

Sep. 26

Oct. 17

Oct. 16

BRAVURA Fri. 8:00 pm

Sun. 2:30 pm

Sep. 25

Sep. 27

Nov. 13

Jan. 16

Jan. 15

Feb. 19

June 18

Apr. 1

Sun. 2:30 pm

Oct. 9

Oct. 11

Nov. 27

Nov. 29

Feb. 12

Feb. 14

Mar. 4

Mar. 6

Apr. 15

Apr. 17

June 10

June 12

Nov. 1

Dec. 4

Dec. 6

Jan. 29

Jan. 31

Jan. 17

Feb. 21

Mar. 13

Apr. 3

May 6 May 13

Fri. 8:00 pm

Nov. 15

Mar. 11 Apr. 2

FIREWORKS

Oct. 18 Oct. 30

Feb. 21

June 19

VIRTUOSO

May 8

May 15

June 17

June 19 PITTSBURGHSYMPHONY.ORG

2015-2016

BNY MELLON

GRAND CLASSICS SEASON

PHOTO BY: DARIO ACOSTA

1

Daniil Trifonov, piano

2

Augustin Hadelich, violin (debut)

Trifonov Plays Trifonov

Bach, Beethoven and Brahms

SEPTEMBER 18 & 20

SEPTEMBER 25-27

Manfred Honeck, conductor Daniil Trifonov, piano

Manfred Honeck, conductor Augustin Hadelich, violin (debut)

Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A major, Opus 90, "Italian" Trifonov: Concerto in E-flat minor for Piano and Orchestra

J.S. Bach: Chaconne, BWV 1004

(Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra premiere)

Tchaikovsky: Capriccio italien, Opus 45

The “Three Bs” return to Heinz Hall as Manfred Honeck introduces us to a fresh Bach transcription for orchestra, Beethoven’s unexpectedly cheerful Symphony No. 8 and Brahms’ renowned concerto for violin. With these performances of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8, Honeck will complete the entire Beethoven Symphony cycle at the Pittsburgh Symphony. Following appearances with the Boston Symphony, and the Philadelphia and Cleveland orchestras, Augustin Hadelich makes his Pittsburgh Symphony debut with this performance. Raved about

by The New York Times and Washington Post for his “gorgeous tone” and “poetic communication,” this will be a don’t miss performance!

Pittsburgh Symphony Music Director Manfred Honeck opens the season with Italian flair, offering performances of Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 “Italian” and Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio italien. Between these two great works, Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov joins us for the first of two appearances this season, giving us the rare opportunity to hear him perform the Pittsburgh premiere of his own composition.

PREMIERE

OVATION

FORTE

VIRTUOSO

(Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra premiere)

Beethoven: Symphony No. 8 in F major, Opus 93 Brahms: Concerto in D major for Violin and Orchestra, Opus 77

BRAVURA

FIREWORKS

PITTSBURGHSYMPHONY.ORG

2015-2016

BNY MELLON

GRAND CLASSICS SEASON

PHOTO BY: LIZA MAZZUCO

3

Pablo Villegas, guitar

4

Yan Pascal Tortelier, conductor

Villegas Plays Rodrigo

The Rite of Spring

OCTOBER 9 & 11

OCTOBER 16-18

Gustavo Gimeno, conductor (debut) Pablo Villegas, guitar

Yan Pascal Tortelier, conductor Gretchen Van Hoesen, harp

Jonny Greenwood: There Will Be Blood

Edú Lobo: Suite Popular Brasileira

Rodrigo: Fantasía Para un Gentilhombre Stravinsky: Jeu de cartes, Ballet in Three Deals Ravel: Suite No. 2 from Daphnis et Chloé

Ginastera: Concerto for Harp and Orchestra, Opus 25 Stravinsky: Le Sacre du printemps [The Rite of Spring] (1947 revision) [reprinted 1967]

After a mesmerizing debut in the 2014-2015 season, guitarist Pablo Villegas returns to Pittsburgh, alongside the debut of his fellow countryman, conductor Gustavo Gimeno.

Villegas performs Rodrigo’s Fantasía Para un Gentilhombre, a piece rich in haunting melodies and exhilarating Spanish folk dances. Gimeno will lead the orchestra in music from two ballets — Stravinsky’s Jeu de cartes, written for George Balanchine and the American Ballet, and a suite from Ravel’s great love story, Daphnis et Chloé. The program opens with Academy Award-nominated music from the film There Will Be Blood, written by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood.

Join us for a performance of the music from Stravinsky’s infamous ballet The Rite of Spring.

Although considered scandalous at the time of its 1913 premiere in Paris for its controversial and unconventional musical language, costumes, choreography and pagan connotations, it is now considered one of the most magnificent musical masterpieces of the 20th century.

And what better way to present it than with much loved French conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier. Principal harpist Gretchen Van Hoesen will delight with a sparkling performance of Ginastera’s Concerto for Harp and Orchestra, and the symphony will give its premiere of Edú Lobo’s foot tapping Suite Popular Brasileira.

(Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra premiere)

PREMIERE

OVATION

FORTE

VIRTUOSO

(Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra premiere)

BRAVURA

FIREWORKS

PITTSBURGHSYMPHONY.ORG

2015-2016

BNY MELLON

GRAND CLASSICS SEASON

PHOTO BY: VACLAV JIRASEK

5

Conrad Tao, piano (debut)

Jirˇí Be ˇlohlávek, conductor(debut)

6

Tao, Gershwin and Strauss

The Complete Má Vlast

OCTOBER 30 & NOVEMBER 1

NOVEMBER 13 & 15

Leonard Slatkin, conductor Conrad Tao, piano (debut)

Jirˇí Beˇlohlávek, conductor (debut) Smetana: Má Vlast

Tao: Pángu ˇ (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra premiere) Gershwin: Concerto in F major for Piano and Orchestra Strauss: Symphonia Domestica, Opus 53 Enjoy another opportunity to have our guest artist present his own composition with the Pittsburgh Symphony premiere of Pángu ˇ for orchestra. This trend of composition, having the performer compose and perform his or her own work, lost its way during the 20th century, but now finds its groove again on the Heinz Hall stage. Also featured is the music of America’s quintessential performer-composer George Gershwin as Tao showcases his command over the conventional repertoire with a performance of Gershwin’s Concerto in F. American conductor Leonard Slatkin gives a special treat by talking through elements of Strauss’ Symphonia Domestica, before its full performance.

The symphony’s six-movement structure describes a day in the life of Strauss’ family, with father, mother and child themes throughout.

PREMIERE

OVATION

FORTE

VIRTUOSO

BRAVURA

Comprised of six poems in all, Má Vlast journeys through imagery from the composer’s homeland, which fittingly will be conducted by the Czech Republic’s most recognized conductor today, Jirˇí Beˇlohlávek. This symphonic poem paints a musical picture, evoking imagery of landscapes, a wedding party, a hunt and even water nymphs. Soon after starting this work, Smetana became completely deaf and, sadly, as a result, never heard it in performance. Most popular is the second poem, "Moldau," depicting a flowing river through the city of Prague. This will be the first time the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has performed this work in its entirety since 1976 with Maestro Rafael Kubelík.

FIREWORKS

PITTSBURGHSYMPHONY.ORG

2015-2016

BNY MELLON

Michael Rusinek, clarinet

7

GRAND CLASSICS SEASON

PHOTO BY: HARALD HOFFMAN

A Waltz Tradition

Coronation Mass, Unfinished Symphony and Emperor Concerto

NOVEMBER 27 & 29 Manfred Honeck, conductor Michael Rusinek, clarinet

DECEMBER 4 & 6

Rossini: Introduction, Theme and Variations for Clarinet and Orchestra Weber: Concerto No. 1 in F minor for Clarinet and Orchestra, Opus 73 Strauss Family: Waltzes and Polkas Thanksgiving weekend brings Manfred Honeck’s Pittsburgh tradition — waltzes and polkas by the Strauss family! Each year offers new pieces and new surprises.

Along with this, Pittsburgh Symphony’s principal clarinetist Michael Rusinek will perform Rossini’s sparkling Theme and Variations for Clarinet and Orchestra and Weber’s catchy Clarinet Concerto No. 1. This concerto is one of the cornerstones of the clarinet repertoire and shows the instrument’s unique range of tone and dynamics.

This virtuosic and light program will be sure to leave you in high spirits for the holidays ahead!

PREMIERE

OVATION

FORTE

VIRTUOSO

8

Yulianna Avdeeva, piano

BRAVURA

Manfred Honeck, conductor Yulianna Avdeeva, piano Other soloists TBD The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh Betsy Burleigh, Director Mozart: Mass in C major, K. 317, “Coronation” Schubert: S ymphony No. 8 in B minor, D. 759, [old No. 7] “Unfinished” Beethoven: Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major for Piano and Orchestra, Opus 73, “Emperor” Featuring the Coronation Mass, the Unfinished Symphony and the Emperor Concerto, this weekend combines well-loved works from the classical period, all coined with nicknames not given by the composers themselves, but later added to suit the character of the works. The “Emperor” is Beethoven’s last piano concerto, dedicated to his patron and pupil, Archduke Rudolf, and is considered a landmark in the piano repertoire. Preceding this, Manfred Honeck will join the orchestra, soloists and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh for a performance of Mozart’s Mass in C major, which, though not composed with this intention, offers celebratory music appropriate for royalty and coronations. Schubert’s Symphony No. 8, debated by scholars as to whether he intended to add a third movement or not, is one of the composer’s most romantic and heartfelt compositions for orchestra.

Though nicknamed the “unfinished,” it certainly offers two complete and powerful movements that complement each other thoroughly.

FIREWORKS

PITTSBURGHSYMPHONY.ORG

2015-2016

BNY MELLON

GRAND CLASSICS SEASON

PHOTO BY: PAUL MARC MITCHELL

PHOTO BY: BRIANA BLASKO

9

Tim Fain, violin (debut)

Denis Kozhukhin, piano (debut)

Fain Plays Glass

10

Rachmaninoff, Beethoven and William Tell

JANUARY 15-17 Christoph König, conductor Tim Fain, violin (debut) Respighi: Overture to Belfagor Glass: Concerto No. 2 for Violin and Orchestra, “The American Four Seasons”

JANUARY 29 & 31 Gianandrea Noseda, conductor Denis Kozhukhin, piano (debut)

(Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra premiere)

Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F major, Opus 68, “Pastoral” The music of Philip Glass has been featured on numerous movie soundtracks, including his Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for original score for The Hours. Here on the Heinz Hall stage, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and young American violinist Tim Fain will perform his second violin concerto “The American Four Seasons,” which is considered a modern counterpart to Vivaldi’s popular Four Seasons. Having begun to carve his own path in the music industry and striving to diversify the image of a classical musician, Fain is no stranger to the movie business, having performed for the movie soundtracks of Black Swan and 12 Years a Slave. German conductor Christoph König returns to the podium, and, along with Glass’ concerto, will conduct the orchestra in a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6. One of his most charming symphonies, it paints a picture of nature and a man’s feelings toward it.

PREMIERE

OVATION

FORTE

VIRTUOSO

BRAVURA

Rachmaninoff: Concerto No. 3 in D minor for Piano and Orchestra, Opus 30 Rossini: Overture to Guillaume Tell [William Tell] Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Opus 36 Known as one of the most technically demanding works of the piano repertoire, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 will be performed by Russian pianist Denis Kozhukhin.

Full of lush harmonies and soaring melodies, this work will be sure to excite the senses. In contrast to this outburst of romanticism, Italian conductor Gianandrea Noseda offers a performance of Beethoven’s classically enriched Symphony No. 2. Though the composition of this work was at the time of Beethoven’s harsh realization of his hearing loss, this work shows no sign of the composer’s obvious despair, and instead is filled with energy and cheer. The program will share that cheer with a performance of Rossini’s most popular work, Overture to William Tell.

FIREWORKS

PITTSBURGHSYMPHONY.ORG

2015-2016

BNY MELLON

GRAND CLASSICS SEASON

11

Juraj Valcˇuha, conductor

Stewart Copeland, percussion (debut)

Valentine’s Day with Tristan und Isolde, Romeo and Juliet, and Carmen FEBRUARY 12 & 14 Juraj Valcˇuha, conductor Joshua Roman, cello (debut)

FEBRUARY 19 & 21 Marcelo Lehninger, conductor (debut) Stewart Copeland, percussion (debut) Copeland: T rapset & Percussion Concerto No. 1, "The Tyrant's Crush"

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Opus 10

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, the Pittsburgh Symphony will bring you a program full of romantic melodies and beautiful love themes. Slovakian conductor Juraj Valcˇuha returns to the podium with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Shakespeare-inspired musical tale of star crossed lovers with the Romeo and Juliet Overture, Dvorˇák’s most beloved cello concerto, Wagner’s stunning “Prelude und Liebestod” from his opera Tristan und Isolde and excerpts from Bizet’s impassioned and fiery Carmen.

OVATION

Stewart Copeland Debuts

(Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra commission/world premiere)

Wagner: “Prelude und Liebestod” from Tristan und Isolde Dvorˇák: Concerto in B minor for Cello and Orchestra, Opus 104 Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy Bizet: Excerpts from Carmen, Suite No. 1 and No. 2

PREMIERE

12

FORTE

VIRTUOSO

BRAVURA

Best known as the drummer for super band The Police, Stewart Copeland joins the Pittsburgh Symphony in his dual role of performer-composer. Since moving into the contemporary composition realm, Copeland has made waves with his dynamic projects, including writing the score for the silent film epic Ben Hur. Here, he performs as percussionist for the world premiere of "The Tyrant’s Crush." Written and performed as a graduation piece from the St. Petersburg Conservatory when he was just 19 years old, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1 was an instant success. Performed by the Berlin Philharmonic just a year later, and by the Philadelphia Orchestra a year after that, the symphony made Shostakovich a household name across the world.

FIREWORKS

PITTSBURGHSYMPHONY.ORG

2015-2016

BNY MELLON

GRAND CLASSICS SEASON

PHOTO BY: B. EALOVEGA

PHOTO BY: FELIX BROEDE

13

Manfred Honeck, conductor

14

James Ehnes, violin

St. John Passion

All Sibelius

MARCH 4 & 6

MARCH 11 & 13

Manfred Honeck, conductor Sunhae Im, soprano Other soloists TBD Samuel Helfrich, stage director The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh Betsy Burleigh, Director

Osmo Vänskä, conductor James Ehnes, violin Sibelius: Finlandia, Opus 26, No. 7 Sibelius: C oncerto in D minor for Violin and Orchestra, Opus 47 Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Opus 43

Bach: S t. John Passion, BWV 245

(Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra premiere)

Manfred Honeck’s deep understanding of compositions associated with spirituality has been marvelously presented throughout his tenure as music director. Bach’s St. John Passion is a sacred oratorio using scripture from the Gospel of John. It was composed for the Good Friday Vespers in Leipzig in 1724 and here, Honeck will offer a semi-staged representation of this profound work.

With the assistance of stage director Sam Helfrich, guest vocalists and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Symphony and their music director will take the stage to showcase this work and its testimony to the power of music to transcend time and place.

PREMIERE

OVATION

FORTE

VIRTUOSO

BRAVURA

Finland’s leading conductor makes his long-awaited return to the Pittsburgh Symphony to celebrate the 150th birthday of his country’s most esteemed composer, Jean Sibelius. The concert opens with the rousing Finlandia, one of the world’s great works of musical patriotism. Its slow hymn-like passage before the finale perfectly embodies the aspirations of a country trying to free itself from foreign oppression. Canadian violinist James Ehnes returns to Pittsburgh to perform Sibelius’ only concerto, a mercilessly beautiful yet highly virtuosic work. His Symphony No. 2 closes the program, full of warm strings, playful woodwinds and the most heroic of finales.

FIREWORKS

PITTSBURGHSYMPHONY.ORG

2015-2016

BNY MELLON

GRAND CLASSICS SEASON

PHOTO BY: THOMAS GRUBE

PHOTO BY: LISA MARIE MAZZUCCO

Emanuel Ax, piano

15

Cameron Carpenter, organ (debut)

16

Emanuel Ax Returns

Carpenter Plays Carpenter

APRIL 1-3

APRIL 15 & 17

Manfred Honeck, conductor Emanuel Ax, piano The All University Choir

Manfred Honeck, conductor Cameron Carpenter, organ (debut) Carpenter: Concerto for Organ and Orchestra

(Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra co-commission/world premiere)

Brahms: Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major for Piano and Orchestra, Opus 83

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Opus 93

“O Fortuna” and Other Choral Favorites Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony welcome back an audience favorite and celebrate the start of a new collaboration. Emanuel Ax returns for the first time since 2013, bringing with him Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2.

An epic 50-minute concerto, it was written at the height of Brahms’ fame and compositional power. Manfred Honeck has a strong wish to work together with the many great Pittsburgh universities and has formed a new ensemble just for this occasion, the All University Choir. The second half features them in music of equally epic proportions — great, substantial choral music under the title “O Fortuna.”

PREMIERE

OVATION

FORTE

VIRTUOSO

BRAVURA

Western Pennsylvania native and stereotype-smashing organist Cameron Carpenter makes his debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony with a new concerto he has written just for the occasion. Continuing this season’s theme of virtuoso performer-composers, Carpenter will play on the International Touring Organ, a digital organ of his own design that stands toe-to-toe with the world’s greatest instruments. Manfred Honeck presents Shostakovich’s 10th Symphony, which premiered following the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953, and is thought to be a portrait of the Soviet leader.

FIREWORKS

PITTSBURGHSYMPHONY.ORG

2015-2016

BNY MELLON

GRAND CLASSICS SEASON

PHOTO BY: FELIX BROEDE

PHOTO BY: DARIO ACOSTA

Daniil Trifonov, piano

17

18

Martin Grubinger, percussion (debut)

Choose Your Own Tchaikovsky

Elektra and Der Rosenkavalier

MAY 6-8

MAY 13-15

Manfred Honeck, conductor Daniil Trifonov, piano

Manfred Honeck, conductor Martin Grubinger, percussion (debut)

Haydn: Symphony No. 93 in D major (Friday and Sunday only) Liszt: Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major for Piano and Orchestra (Friday and Sunday only) Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Opus 36 Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Opus 74, “Pathétique” (Saturday night only)

Strauss/Honeck/Ille: Elektra Symphonic Rhapsody Hartl: Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra, Opus 23 (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra premiere)

Strauss: Suite from Der Rosenkavalier, Opus 59 The names Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony are synonymous with Richard Strauss, and this program brings you music from two wildly different Strauss operas.

After the world premiere of Elektra in 1909, one reviewer joked that Strauss’ next work would also include “four locomotives, 10 jaguars and several rhinoceroses.” Here, Honeck has pared down Elektra’s massive 110-piece orchestra to a size suitable for Heinz Hall, filled with the opera’s most dramatic moments. The great comedic opera Der Rosenkavalier brings a lighter tone, complete with passion, love and, of course, a waltz. “Wizard of percussion” Martin Grubinger makes his stateside debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony performing Bruno Hartl’s virtuosic Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra.

Critically acclaimed as “a pianist for the rest of our lives,” Daniil Trifonov returns to Pittsburgh for an encore performance. Friday and Sunday features Trifonov performing Liszt’s Concerto No. 1, a brilliant showpiece for a virtuosic pianist. The shows close with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, with its opening fanfare, nostalgic oboe solo and bombastic finale. Come on Saturday to hear Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique.” Full of emotion and suffering, “Pathétique” is inextricably linked with Tchaikovsky’s sudden death, less than two weeks after the premiere.

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PITTSBURGHSYMPHONY.ORG

2015-2016

BNY MELLON

GRAND CLASSICS SEASON

PHOTO BY: ROB DAVIDSON

Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor (debut)

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Noah Bendix-Balgley, violin

“ The Earth: An HD Odyssey”

Season Finale JUNE 17-19 Manfred Honeck, conductor Noah Bendix-Balgley, violin

JUNE 10 & 12 Giancarlo Guerrero, conductor (debut)

Mozart: Rondo in C major for Violin and Orchestra, K. 373 Klezmer Violin Concerto: Conceived by Noah Bendix-Balgley Mahler: Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor

Prokofiev: Suite from Lieutenant Kijé, Opus 60 Copland: El Salón México The Earth – A n HD Odyssey R. Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra Adams: Short Ride in a Fast Machine June brings the debut of Costa Rican conductor Giancarlo Guerrero, with a jam packed program of cinematic music, including Copland’s folksy El Salón México and Prokofiev’s music from the Soviet comedy Lieutenant Kijé. A visually and aurally stunning second half features The Earth, a high-definition compilation of NASA footage, featuring erupting volcanoes, tropical islands and majestic glaciers.

John Adams’ exhilarating Short Ride in a Fast Machine and Richard Strauss’ epic tone poem Also sprach Zarathustra seamlessly accompany the footage.

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Our closing weekend brings you one of the most well-known of Mahler’s symphonies, mainly for its beautiful fourth movement, Adagietto, which is frequently performed separate from the other movements. Interestingly, his Symphony No. 5 is the first of his symphonies to follow a purely orchestral setting and not be influenced by or based on a collection of songs. For the first half of this program, the Pittsburgh Symphony’s concertmaster, Noah Bendix-Balgley, will thrill us with performances of Mozart’s Rondo in C Major and a new concerto for violin and orchestra in the style of Klezmer music, an exciting concept conceived and created by Bendix-Balgley himself.

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grand gesture this season GIVE A GIFT TO THE PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNUAL FUND

Thank you for being part of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra family! The 2015-2016 season marks the eighth anniversary of Music Director Manfred Honeck’s tenure with the orchestra. We invite you to join us in celebrating his relationship with Pittsburgh and the world-class musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra!

Last season, 7,700 patrons demonstrated their commitment to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra by giving to the Annual Fund. World-class performers and performances. Free award-winning education and community programs that introduce thousands of children and adults to classical music every year.

Free summer parks concerts. An historic concert hall. Pittsburgh’s performing arts ambassador to the world. These are just a few reasons to support our orchestra.

The growth of the Annual Fund is imperative to sustain the Pittsburgh Symphony’s artistic excellence and commitment to our communities. Please consider supporting the Pittsburgh Symphony by making an Annual Fund gift with your BNY Mellon Grand Classics season ticket purchase.

To make a gift, call the Symphony’s Development Department at 412.392.4880. You can also give online at pittsburghsymphony.org/give, or simply add a gift to your order. Thank you!

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