Season Newsletter
YOUR IMPACT IN FOCUS
YOU BRING IMAGINATION AND WONDER TO THE STAGE Stravinsky’s Persephone comes alive with your support. The 2017–2018 season was full of memorable performances. Thanks to your dedicated support, Music Director Ludovic Morlot and the orchestra can push the envelope of the concert experience — and this season the semi-staged production of Igor Stravinsky’s Persephone won hearts and minds during sold-out performances. The story of Persephone goes back thousands of years. Stravinsky’s music is nearly 100 years old. But the visual display that audiences enjoyed was altogether new. To bring Persephone to life, the Symphony partnered with the Oregon Symphony and worked with the brilliant storyteller, film and theater designer Michael Curry, transporting the audience to another world through sets and puppets that joined the orchestra, Seattle Symphony Chorale, Northwest Boychoir, featured soloists and dancers on stage.
“The sound world of Stravinsky’s music can be infectious, and Michael’s staging drew us into the story in a new and exciting way.”
PHOTO: Stravinsky’s Persephone, performed at Benaroya Hall in April 2018, made possible by you!
Persephone is a retelling of the ancient Greek myth in which Hades, god of the underworld, kidnaps Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, goddess of the harvest. Hades imprisons Persephone in the underworld, leaving Earth frozen in perpetual winter. In classical mythology, the abduction of Persephone and her subsequent rescue explain the rotation of winter and spring. To create the world of Persephone Michael Curry’s production interchanges puppets and humans in a way that heightens the illusion of the two worlds represented in the myth. The result was a surreal, breathtaking journey into the underworld and back again. “The sound world of Stravinsky’s music is so infectious, and Michael’s staging drew us into the story in a new and exciting way,” says Morlot. “As was the case with our semi-staged performances of Ravel’s opera L’enfant et les sortilèges last season, the visual elements of the production help us understand the story,” says Morlot. The collaboration also made for a unique opportunity for Morlot and the orchestra, who typically perform a new concert each week. “Through collaboration with the Oregon Symphony and Michael we were able to dig deeper into this world that Stravinsky has created for us,” says Morlot. (continues inside)
Through the support of music lovers like you the Seattle Symphony can dare to dream big and share unique works like Persephone with audiences in powerful ways that enhance the concert experience. “Persephone is one piece that I want our audience to know,” says Morlot. “That’s our mission, to present the pieces that we believe in.” Just as Persephone brings life to the world each spring, you bring the music of the Seattle Symphony to life — all season long. Thank you! ■
You Help Our Family Grow Seven new musicians joined us this season and our new Concertmaster starts in September! An orchestra is nothing without talented orchestra musicians, and this season you helped the Seattle Symphony welcome seven new musicians to our Symphony family. And in May we were delighted to announce our new Concertmaster, Noah Geller, who joins us next month. Newly appointed principals included John DiCesare as Principal Tuba, and the return of former Seattle Symphony Principal Flute Demarre McGill. Additional appointments included Emil Khudyev, Associate Principal Clarinet; Andy Liang, Section Second Violin; Seattle native Danielle Kuhlmann, Fourth Horn; Christopher Stingle, Second Trumpet; and Michael Myers, Fourth/Utility Trumpet. It’s hard to believe that they’ve only been with us for this past season — these new musicians have become an integral part of the orchestra’s sound and persona.
Persephone, moments before she departs for the underworld.
Thank you for supporting Seattle Symphony musicians! ■
APRIL 25 & 27, 2019
SURROGATE CITIES
Continuing to stretch the imagination through your support, the Symphony presents Surrogate Cities, a multimedia event by the German composer and theater artist Heiner Goebbels. Reflecting on our ever-changing world in his work, Goebbels combines a blur of human and machine-made sounds, striking visuals and major vocal performances. Don’t miss these concerts next season!
Incoming Concertmaster Noah Geller joins the orchestra in September.
Ludovic Morlot and John Luther Adams share notes during a rehearsal of Become Desert. not tied to the traditional orthodoxies of world-class symphony orchestras. They’re willing to try things, to take chances.” Adams added that the audience in Seattle is equally important to the work, “they’re sophisticated, they’re open-eared.” For Adams there could be no better place to commission and premiere a composition like Become Desert. “In Seattle it will be received in the spirit in which it’s offered,” said Adams.
YOU BRING NEW WORKS TO LIFE John Luther Adams’ Become Desert received its world premiere before a sold-out Benaroya Hall. In his latest Seattle Symphony commission, Become Desert, John Luther Adams connects music to the natural world, continuing a storyline that began with its Grammy Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning predecessor, Become Ocean. You may remember the premiere of Become Ocean from your seat in Benaroya Hall back in 2013! For Become Ocean the orchestra was divided into separate choruses on the stage to enhance the undulating quality of the oceans that inspired the piece. Adams went a step further with Become Desert, bringing the audience inside the music by placing musicians and singers throughout the auditorium. It was a special experience for everyone in Benaroya Hall — audience and musicians alike. Compositions like Become Desert that expand the breadth of symphonic music and challenge our expectations are possible because of generous people like you who support the orchestra. Before the premiere of Become Desert, John Luther Adams reflected, “the Seattle Symphony is a world-class orchestra,
As a caring supporter and a devoted audience member, you allow the Seattle Symphony to commission new works and share the voices of contemporary composers. You allow composers to reflect upon our times through music and share it with audiences, furthering the impact and storylines of live symphonic music and enriching our understanding of the world.
“In Seattle it will be received in the spirit in which it’s offered.” Seattle is a rarity in Adams’ eyes. “Professional symphony orchestras are not great laboratories for musical experimentation. But in Seattle there is something very special happening.” That something special “has everything to do with the wonderful musicians in this orchestra, Music Director Ludovic Morlot and the audience that fills the seats week after week,” says Adams. Thank you for supporting new music. You ensure that live symphonic music remains as timely as it is timeless! ■ Nathan Paek speaks about the new work he created during the Young Composers Workshop. (above right)
“Alexandra made class time really fun and educational,” says Nathan. “I appreciated learning from her how to interact with the musicians, who are superb at what they do and so nice to collaborate with.” The workshop emphasizes collaboration at every level — with orchestra musicians, with professional composers and mentors, and amongst the students themselves.
YOU LET NATHAN SHARE HIS MUSIC, HIS JOY With your support the Seattle Symphony is mentoring the next generation of artists. In 2017 Nathan Paek watched as Seattle Symphony musicians premiered new works written by teenage composers. It was Nathan’s first experience with the Merriman Family Young Composers Workshop, a three-month program that provides intensive training and workshops for young composers. “I was inspired by what I heard,” recalls Nathan, and he applied soon after for the 2018 workshop. Nathan’s journey with music began at the keyboard. After learning the basics, he found that he was drawn to improvisation and writing his own music. “I had been composing for the piano only and thought that the workshop would be a great opportunity to learn orchestration and to work with other musicians,” says Nathan. His expectations were met — and exceeded — by his experience. Nathan and his peers had the opportunity to work with Seattle Symphony musicians, Composer in Residence Alexandra Gardner, and visiting composer John Luther Adams.
“Hearing my music being performed by professional musicians for the first time was super cool — mind-blowing!”
2018 Young Composers Workshop participants take a bow. “It was fun to hear the unique styles and ideas,” recalls Nathan about his fellow students, adding that “sharing music with each other was inspiring.” For Nathan and each of the students, the experience that the workshop provides is invaluable. Students learn all aspects of the composition process, from creative brainstorming and experimentation sessions to scoring parts for individual instruments. The workshop culminates in a performance and celebration where the young composers share the world
premieres of the works they have composed. Reflecting on the concert, Nathan says, “it was an honor to share my music with my family, friends and the audience. Hearing my music being performed by professional musicians for the first time was super cool — mind-blowing!” For Nathan the workshop “opened up a new world of possibilities by introducing me to writing chamber music. I did not know how incredible it would be!” Each season your support allows Symphony education programs like this one to nurture the artists and musicians of the future. In Nathan’s words to you, “thank you for valuing classical music and supporting a new generation of composers. I feel deeply grateful to benefit from your support and encouragement because I love music! I have been composing since I was five years old and I think creating music will be a part of me for the rest of my life.” ■
COMING SOON:
EIGHT NEW COMMISSIONS Thanks to you, next season will include eight world premieres, all commissioned by the Seattle Symphony (and you!). The Silkroad Ensemble’s performance includes a new work by Chen Yi and Kinan Azmeh performing his new Clarinet Concerto. Caroline Shaw’s Piano Concerto will be premiered with guest pianist Jonathan Biss and John Harbison’s What Do We Make of Bach? for Orchestra and Obbligato Organ will premiere with guest organist Wayne Marshall. The season will also feature two new works by 2018–2019 Composer in Residence Derek Bermel, Joël-François Durand’s Préludes, and a new movement woven into Heiner Goebbels’ Surrogate Cities.
Music Director Ludovic Morlot.
Celebrate Music Director Ludovic Morlot You’ve helped make his eight years in Seattle transformational! The upcoming 2018–2019 season will be Ludovic Morlot’s final season as Music Director of the Seattle Symphony. During his tenure, the Symphony has undergone an incredible renewal, strengthening our ties to the community and sharing the joy of live symphonic music with new audiences. You have played a vital role in this transformation and we thank you for your belief in the Symphony’s mission of bringing people together and building community through music. Dedicated support has allowed Ludovic Morlot to dream big and be an outstanding artist and leader for this orchestra. Join us in celebrating Music Director Ludovic Morlot throughout the 2018–2019 season! ■
Thanks to you, this season ‌
500,000
people enjoyed the music of the Seattle Symphony
8,529
elementary students performed with the orchestra
3,024
free tickets were distributed to 78 nonprofit partners
330
hours of live symphonic music were performed by the orchestra
174
Seattle Symphony concerts delighted audiences
7
talented new musicians joined the orchestra
4
new commissions were premiered
3
side-by-side concerts inspired young musicians
1
nomination for Gramophone’s Orchestra of the Year!
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Stravinsky’s Persephone received special support through the Judith Fong Music Director’s Fund. John Luther Adams’ Become Desert was commissioned by the Seattle Symphony with the support of Dale and Leslie Chihuly. The Merriman Family Young Composers Workshop is generously underwritten by the Merriman Family Foundation.
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