THOMAS DAUSGAARD, MUSIC DIRECTOR
2020/2021 SEASON
THOMAS DAUSGAARD MUSIC DIRECTOR
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2020/2021 SEASON
IN CONVERSATION WITH
Thomas Dausgaard I N T E R V I E W BY A N D R E W S T I E F E L
From the suspended silence before the crash of applause at Benaroya Hall, it’s clear something special is happening in Seattle. Last September marked the beginning of a new era at the Seattle Symphony with the arrival of Thomas Dausgaard as Music Director. Since then, Thomas and the orchestra have embarked on a thrilling first season together, earning standing ovations at Opening Night with Daniil Trifonov, reaching audiences around the world with a live broadcast of Mahler’s First Symphony, and performing to sold-out crowds for Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. As Thomas’ artistic vision takes shape in Seattle, one theme stands apart: a deep, joyful fascination with creativity and how music connects us. His signature roots programming, which illuminates connections between composers and their contemporary musical traditions, continues in the 2020–2021 season with an exploration of Brahms’ inspiration and Tan Dun’s visionary Buddha Passion.
As musicians, we are privileged to exchange and share musical ideas from around our world, enriching the lives of those who listen to us, and empowering everyone to make the world a better place. This season is filled with many more cultural exchanges, from the juxtaposition of liturgical works by Beethoven and Tan Dun, new concertos by Mexican composer Enrico Chapela and Danish composer Hans Abrahamsen, Reena Esmail as Composer in Residence, and welcoming artists from musical traditions around the world. I’m also excited to continue exploring the music of this country, including what is probably the first great American symphony, Amy Beach’s wonderful Gaelic Symphony from 1894, as well as the Seattle premiere of John Adams’ latest orchestral work, I Still Dance. This season continues your exploration of the artistic roots of inspiration with a focus on Brahms. Could you describe the journey that you'll be taking audiences on with this project? I love getting an impression of context for the works we perform. In the recent seasons we have explored contexts for the music of Stravinsky, Sibelius, Rachmaninov and others. Brahms was a lifelong fan of Hungarian Romani music and those musical traditions inspired him to even include a “Hungarian Dance” movement in his Fourth Symphony!
In addition to major symphonic works by Berlioz, Mahler, Dvořák and Stravinsky, Thomas has filled the season with inspiring creative collaborations, inviting Conductor Emeritus Ludovic Morlot back to the stage and welcoming the brilliant composer Reena Esmail as Composer in Residence.
I’ve invited Roby Lakatos and his band to give us an authentic take on the Romani musical tradition, which is very much alive today. We will be performing a work by his grandfather. I think Brahms’ Fourth Symphony is going to sound different to us after that!
This will be your second season as Music Director of the Seattle Symphony. What's next for your collaboration with the orchestra?
Could you share a bit about the two large liturgical works you have planned this season, starting with Beethoven’s Missa solemnis in November? What makes this work so powerful?
I have been tremendously inspired by the fundamental openness and curiosity I’ve found in Seattle, which led the Seattle Symphony musicians to present the now famous Music Beyond Borders concert some seasons back. This season we are musically traveling beyond our borders in an exchange with our neighbors on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, welcoming orchestras from Beijing and Taiwan to Benaroya Hall and inviting outstanding composers, conductors and soloists from China, India, Japan and Korea to make their debuts with the orchestra.
Beethoven himself considered this a milestone among his works as it sums up his religious and musical beliefs. He believes in God rather than in religious institutions, and the moments when this is felt the strongest is when the music is at its most sublime, like in the Benedictus — the angelic voice of a solo violin spinning an endless melody with soloists and chorus gently joining. The music is in some ways similar to the symphonies but on a much larger scale: everything is larger than life, as it should be!
The season culminates with Tan Dun's Buddha Passion, another major liturgical work, but from an unexpected perspective. Could you share a little of the story behind this work? What will we hear? Passions are traditional Christian liturgical forms. Never before has there been a Buddhist passion! Similar to our other roots programming, Tan Dun’s contemporary interpretation of the passion integrates indigenous performers and traditions from China, all of whom will share the stage with us at Benaroya Hall. The music weaves together chants, stories and sounds into an oratorio of six individual short stories from Buddha’s life. One of the most moving moments is when Buddha’s disciples ask him if he is God, which he declines. When asked “what are you then?” He responds “I am ... awake” and there is silence. The chorus intones “nirvana” before the final chorus builds up to an overwhelming finale. The new season is all about music's power to inspire and move us. What are your hopes and aspirations for the season? We’ll perform Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite together in February. The firebird is a mythological symbol, and in this fairy tale an enchanted feather from the firebird saves the world from evil. I like to think of our concerts as enchanted feathers making our world a better place. We offer a communal space to explore the magic of experiencing music together. And we are lucky in Seattle to have such a great orchestra in town! The best musicians want to come and play with us and for you — they love the music-making in the orchestra, and they love you, the fantastically appreciative and inspiring community. Ultimately, we try to give you the best and trust that enchanted feathers will come your way. Thomas Dausgaard’s performances sponsored by the Scan|Design Foundation by Inger and Jens Bruun.
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Subscriber Exclusives
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE KHATIA BUNIATISHVILI Khatia Buniatishvili is one of today’s most sought-after pianists. A beloved favorite of Seattle audiences, she will perform on the Opening Night Concert in September 2020 and give a solo recital in February 2021. Khatia Buniatishvili's Opening Night performance is generously underwritten by Nader and Oraib Kabbani.
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2020/2021 SEASON
Subscribers receive exclusive advance access to these one-of-a-kind concerts before the general public. Add them to your subscription today!
AUDRA MCDONALD
GUARAV MAZUMDAR
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Beethoven’s Missa solemnis
The Roots: Brahms’ Inspiration
Tan Dun’s Buddha Passion
MASTERWORKS HIGHLIGHTS
Masterworks Music moves us. It takes us on unforgettable journeys. From all-time favorites to contemporary classics, this year’s Delta Air Lines Masterworks Season travels from the crashing seas of Debussy’s La mer to the ancient stories of Tan Dun’s Buddha Passion, from Stravinsky’s heart-thumping Firebird Suite to Beethoven’s transcendent Missa solemnis. Together we share these moments of sublime quiet, of timelessness, of excitement and of rapture.
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MUSIC MOVES ANDY LIANG, VIOLIN
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Masterworks PACKAGES KEY On the following pages you’ll find listings of our Masterworks Season offerings — in packages of 22, 13, 8, 7 or 5 concerts. The key below indicates which package each concert is a part of. 22A 13A 7A 7E 8C
THURSDAYS AT 7:30PM
8G
SUNDAYS AT 2PM
22B 13B 7B 7F 8D
SATURDAYS AT 8PM
5A
FRIDAYS AT 12 NOON
SE PT E MB E R 2 4 , 2 6 O R 2 7
Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique
O C TO B E R 15 , 16 O R 17
Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 1 22A/B 13A/B
THOMAS DAUSGAARD
Thomas Dausgaard conductor Leif Ove Andsnes piano
Kazuki Yamada conductor Simon Trpčeski piano
Reena Esmail New Work (Seattle Symphony Co-commission & World Premiere) Mozart Piano Concerto No. 24 Berlioz Symphonie fantastique
Haydn Symphony No. 104, “London” Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 1 Ravel Mother Goose
Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique is a vivid musical description of love-turned-obsessionturned-ghoulish nightmare. Paired with Mozart’s turbulent and stormy Piano Concerto No. 24 and a world premiere by Composer in Residence Reena Esmail, Music Director Thomas Dausgaard kicks off the Delta Masterworks Season with the satisfying emotional wallop that only symphonic music can provide.
ADD-ON
YOU’D ALSO LIKE
Celebrate Asia featuring another premiere by Composer in Residence Reena Esmail. See page 5.
O C TO B E R 8 O R 10
Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3 13A/B Shiyeon Sung conductor James Ehnes violin Charlotte Bray At the Speed of Stillness (U.S. Premiere) Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3 Dvořák Symphony No. 6
LEIF OVE ANDSNES
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2020/2021 SEASON
Mozart’s bright and lyrical Third Violin Concerto sings under the capable fingers of Seattle favorite James Ehnes. It’s the perfect companion to Dvořák’s optimistic Sixth Symphony.
Be transported to a world of youthful enchantment with Ravel’s charming collection of scenes from timeless fairy tales, the full ballet Mother Goose and Shostakovich's impish First Piano Concerto.
O C TO B E R 2 5
Avi Avital The Four Seasons Avi Avital conductor & mandolin Nuria Rial soprano Vivaldi The Four Seasons Traditional Venetian Gondolier Songs Internationally acclaimed mandolinist Avi Avital returns to Seattle, bringing a fresh new approach to Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons with the mandolin at center stage. Hear this evergreen classic anew — interspersed with traditional Venetian Gondolier songs — and prepare to be blown away by Avital’s dazzling, lightning-quick finger work and poetic interpretation of Vivaldi’s charming masterwork.
XIAO-PO FEI, VIOLIN
JIŘÍ ROŽEŇ OCTOBER 2 9, 31 OR N OV E M B E R 1
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto 22A/B 13A/B
ALISA WEILERSTEIN
ALINA IBRAGIMOVA
7E/F 8G
Jiří Rožeň conductor Noah Geller violin Mendelssohn The Hebrides (“Fingal's Cave”) Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Suk Meditation on the old Czech Chorale “Saint Wenceslas” Kabeláč Symphony No. 4, “Camerata” (U.S. Premiere) From its moody opening to the high-flying finale, the sparkling melodies and heroic bravura of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto will be on full display in the hands of Seattle Symphony Concertmaster Noah Geller.
N OVE MB E R 12 O R 14
N OV E M B E R 5 O R 7
Elgar Cello Concerto
Debussy La Mer 22A/B
22A/B 13A/B
7A/B
8C/D
Karina Canellakis conductor Alina Ibragimova violin
Thomas Dausgaard conductor Alisa Weilerstein cello
Debussy Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune Bartók Violin Concerto No. 2 Britten Sinfonia da Requiem Debussy La mer
Ligeti San Francisco Polyphony Elgar Cello Concerto Beach Symphony No. 2, "Gaelic"
The beauty and vastness of the ocean comes to life in Debussy’s La mer — from the playful dance of light on the surface to the high drama of titanic waves crashing into each other. Violinist Alina Ibragimova brings to life yet another musical titan of the 20th century: Bartók’s vivid Second Violin Concerto.
With her “technical brilliance” and “take-noprisoners emotional investment that is evident in every bar,” (The New York Times), Alisa Weilerstein is the perfect match for Elgar’s rhapsodic Cello Concerto. Amy Beach’s Second Symphony, infused with melodies inspired by the English isles, straddles old world and new, and speaks to Beach’s position as one of America’s most compelling musical voices at the turn of the 20th century.
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N OV E M BE R 19, 2 1 O R 2 2
Beethoven Missa Solemnis 22A/B 7E/F 8G
Thomas Dausgaard conductor Malin Christensson soprano Meg Bragle mezzo-soprano Toby Spence tenor Andrew Foster-Williams bass-baritone Seattle Symphony Chorale Beethoven Missa solemnis Epic in scale and sheer depth of musical expression, Beethovenʼs Missa solemnis stands out as a powerful witness to his belief that “music is a higher revelation than any philosophy.” GEMMA NEW
Performances of Beethoven’s Missa solemnis are generously sponsored by the Nesholm Family Foundation.
YOU’D ALSO LIKE
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony See page 28.
JA N UA RY 14 O R 16
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 26 22A/B 7A/B Gemma New conductor Nobuyuki Tsujii piano Sarah Gibson warp & weft Mozart Piano Concerto No. 26, “Coronation” R. Schumann Symphony No. 3, “Rhenish” Van Cliburn Competition winner Nobuyuki Tsujii takes on Mozart’s majestic Piano Concerto No. 26, a work celebrated among his many concertos for its romantic, virtuosic solo writing.
NOBUYUKI TSUJII
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JAN UARY 2 1 O R 2 2
Tchaikovsky “Pathétique” Symphony 22A/B 13A/B 8C/D Pablo Rus Broseta conductor Mary Lynch oboe Benjamin Lulich clarinet Jeffrey Fair horn Seth Krimsky bassoon Jörg Widmann Con brio Mozart Sinfonia concertante for Winds Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique” Encompassing a lifetime of emotions within a single symphony, the Pathétique flies to euphoric highs, dives to depths of utter despair and visits every emotion between — promising an edgeof-your-seat experience. Plus, the Symphony’s principal wind players take center stage in Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante. The Saturday performance of Tchaikovsky “Pathétique” Symphony will take place on Friday, January 22, at 8pm.
F E B R UARY 4 O R 6
The Roots: Brahms’ Inspiration 22A/B 13A/B 7E/F Thomas Dausgaard conductor Roby Lakatos violin Roby Lakatos Ensemble Kodály Dances of Galánta Brahms Hungarian Dances Brahms Symphony No. 4 Music Director Thomas Dausgaard leads an exploration into the roots of Brahms’ musical inspiration, from the rhythmic folk dances of Hungary to the transcendent Baroque forms found in the composer’s final symphony. Dive into the whirling energy and deep pathos of Romani folk music in Kodály’s toe-tapping Dances of Galánta, inspired by the folk and army bands the young composer heard in his youth. Hungarian violinist Roby Lakatos continues this high-octane program, weaving traditional Romani folk music into the fabric of Brahms’ ever-popular Hungarian Dances. Then, we pivot to the passionate intensity of Brahms’ final symphony, one of his most enduringly popular and astonishing works.
MUSIC UPLIFTS
JENNA BREEN, HORN
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SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE!
ADD ON ANY 2020/2021 CONCERT TO YOUR SUBSCRIPTION! FE B RUA RY 11, 12 O R 13
Stravinsky The Firebird 22A/B 7A/B
PEKKA KUUSISTO
5A
MAR C H 18 O R 2 0
Three Continents Concerto 22A/B 13A/B 8C/D
Thomas Dausgaard conductor Pekka Kuusisto violin
Christian Reif conductor Jan Vogler cello
Nielsen Symphony No. 6, “Sinfonia semplice” Enrico Chapela Violin Concerto (Seattle Symphony Co-commission & U.S. Premiere) Stravinsky The Firebird Suite
Rouse Rapture Nico Muhly, Sven Helbig & Zhou Long Three Continents Concerto (U.S. Premiere) Wagner Selections from The Ring
Stravinsky’s evocative Firebird Suite is as thrilling as it gets, with its heart-thumping Infernal Dance and glorious, glittering finale. Part of the critically acclaimed cycle of live recordings on Seattle Symphony Media, Music Director Thomas Dausgaard continues his exploration into the music of his fellow Dane Carl Nielsen.
International collaboration takes center stage with the Three Continents Concerto, a new work for cello and orchestra jointly composed by Nico Muhly (U.S.), Sven Helbig (Germany) and Zhou Long (China). Premiered in 2019, this dynamic concerto celebrates musical styles across a vast cultural space: three continents and nearly three generations. The spirit of co-creation is brought to life by cellist Jan Vogler.
ADD-ON
YOU’D ALSO LIKE
Nielsen’s Serenata in vano. See page 27.
MAR C H 2 5 O R 2 7 FE B RUA RY 18 , 2 0 O R 2 1
Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini 22A/B 8C/D 8G Andrey Boreyko conductor Alexander Melnikov piano Lutosławski Symphonic Variations Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Tchaikovsky Suite No. 3 Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganiniʼs thrilling virtuosity, gloriously lush melodies and thunderous power is the perfect vehicle for pianist Alexander Melnikov, whose performances are hailed as "electrifying and rhapsodic" (The New York Times).
Dvořák New World Symphony 22A/B 7A/B Thomas Dausgaard conductor Yekwon Sunwoo piano John Adams I Still Dance Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2 Dvořák Symphony No. 9, "From the New World" One of the most popular symphonies of all time, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 continues to enchant with its majestic fanfares, longing melodies and rich harmonies that have captivated audiences for generations.
Alexander Melnikov's performances are generously underwritten by Stephen Whyte and Rebecca Ralston.
JONATHON HEYWARD FE B RUA RY 2 5 , 2 7 O R 2 8
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 22A/B 13A/B 7E/F 8G Jonathon Heyward conductor Steven Osborne piano Hannah Kendall Kanashibari Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 Strauss Le bourgeois gentilhomme Suite
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Pianist Steven Osborne is known for insightful and idiomatic interpretations of classic repertoire — a perfect fit for Beethoven’s highly original Fourth Piano Concerto. Plus, the orchestra performs Strauss’ vibrant and charming Le bourgeois gentilhomme and Hannah Kendall’s Kanashibari, all in the great hands of conductor Jonathon Heyward.
YEKWON SUNWOO
MEEKA QUAN-DILORENZO, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL CELLO
THOMAS DAUSGAARD
BEHZOD ABDURAIMOV
AP RI L 8, 9 OR 10
A PRIL 29 O R MAY 1
Mahler Symphony No. 5 22A/B 13A/B 7E/F
5A
Thomas Dausgaard conductor Eric Lu piano Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20 Mahler Symphony No. 5 One of the most captivating artists of his generation, American pianist Eric Lu makes his Seattle Symphony debut with Mozart’s sparkling Piano Concerto No. 20. Mahler’s epic Fifth Symphony scales an emotional journey from the depths of despair to unbridled joy.
LINA GONZALEZ-GRANADOS MAY 6 , 8 O R 9
Beethoven, Bartók & Stravinsky
Bach, Handel & Vivaldi 22A/B 13A/B 8C/D 8G
22A/B 7A/B Olari Elts conductor Behzod Abduraimov piano Beethoven Coriolan Overture Bartók Piano Concerto No. 3 Erkki-Sven Tüür Phantasma (U.S. Premiere) Stravinsky Pétrouchka The tragic tale of Pétrouchka is brought to life through Stravinsky’s scintillating score, full of vibrant colors and playful melodies. Plus, Bartók's invigorating Third Piano Concerto and a U.S. Premiere by Erkki-Sven Tüür, which is inspired by Beethoven's Coriolan Overture, round out the concert.
Lina Gonzalez-Granados conductor Elisa Barston violin Eduardo Rios violin Nathan Chan cello Eric Han cello Joseph Adam organ J.S. Bach Concerto for Two Violins Handel Organ Concerto Op. 7, No. 1 Vivaldi Concerto for Two Cellos Dvořák Serenade for Strings Seattle Symphony musicans take center stage in this intimate program featuring J.S. Bach’s celebrated Concerto for Two Violins. A pair of cellos take a turn in the spotlight, with Vivaldi’s sprightly Concerto for Two Cellos. The lyrical qualities of the strings are showcased in Dvořák’s Serenade for Strings, which radiates joy from beginning to end. YOU’D ALSO LIKE
the Baroque & Wine series. See page 24.
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M AY 2 0, 21 O R 2 2
Haydn, Ravel & Mozart Piano Concertos 22A/B 13A/B 7E/F 5A Jean-Efflam Bavouzet conductor & piano Haydn Piano Concerto in F major Ravel Piano Concerto in G Mozart Piano Concerto No. 9, “Jeunehomme” From its whip-crack opening to the serene beauty of the inner movement to the breathless finale, Ravel's classically inspired, jazz-infused Piano Concerto in G is a stunning showcase of the composer’s incredible gift for color and melody. Jean-Efflam Bavouzet’s performances are generously underwritten by James and Sherry Raisbeck.
LUDOVIC MORLOT
JUN E 1 0, 11 O R 12
Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2 22A/B 13A/B 8C/D 5A Ludovic Morlot conductor Augustin Hadelich violin Betsy Jolas A Little Summer Suite Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2 Franck Symphony in D Prokofiev’s second Violin Concerto runs the gamut: melancholic melodies, dazzling fingerwork, soaring themes and a rambunctious stomp of a finale with all the bells and whistles. Augustin Hadelich returns to Seattle to perform this masterpiece under the baton of Conductor Emeritus Ludovic Morlot. Anchoring the program is Franck’s luminous D-minor Symphony, a remarkable fusion of French and German orchestral traditions at the height of romanticism. Augustin Hadelich’s performances are generously underwritten by Charles and Maria Schweizer.
AUGUSTIN HADELICH
Ludovic Morlot's position has been generously underwritten as the Judith Fong Conductor Emeritus.
J U N E 17, 19 O R 2 0
Bartók & Schumann 22A/B 7A/B
8G
Thomas Dausgaard conductor Stefan Dohr horn Jenna Breen horn Jeffrey Fair horn Danielle Kuhlmann horn John Turman horn Hans Abrahamsen Horn Concerto (Seattle Symphony Co-commission & U.S. Premiere) R. Schumann Konzertstück for Four Horns Bartók Concerto for Orchestra This concert is all about the horn, with two works featuring the noble brass instrument. Members of our exceptional horn section — plus the Berlin Philharmonic Principal Horn Stefan Dohr — step into the spotlight. JUNE 24 OR 26
Tan Dun Buddha Passion 22A/B 13A/B 8C/D Thomas Dausgaard conductor Sen Guo soprano Huiling Zhu mezzo-soprano Yunpeng Wang baritone Tan Weiwei female indigenous singer Batubagen male indigenous singer Chen Yining fantan pipa soloist & dancer Seattle Symphony Chorale Northwest Boychoir Tan Dun Buddha Passion East meets West with our final Masterworks of the season. Tan Dun’s Buddha Passion is the first of its kind in a centuries-old tradition: a passion not inspired by a Christian narrative but rather, a Buddhist one. Stirred by the city of Dunhuang and its ancient caves, Tan Dun created a powerful score that weaves chants, stories and sounds into a breathtaking vocal masterpiece, capturing the Buddha’s teachings and timeless universal concepts of love, forgiveness, sacrifice and salvation. Performances of Tan Dun: Buddha Passion are generously underwritten by Jeff and Rita Xiong.
YOU’D ALSO LIKE
[untitled] 1 featuring Tan Dun’s Elegy: Snow in June. See page 27.
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MUSIC SURPRISES
ZARTOUHI DOMBOURIAN-EBY, FLUTE JORDAN ANDERSON, PRINCIPAL BASS NOAH GELLER, CONCERTMASTER
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Gene Kelly A Life in Music
Cirque Goes Hollywood
Aretha A Tribute
HIGHLIGHTS
Pops Embark on a guided tour of popular music! Dive into the big-band sounds of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Take a trip to the movies with an acrobatic twist. From a behind-the-scenes look at MGM star Gene Kelly to a pulse-racing tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, the John & Ginny Meisenbach Foundation Pops series delivers all the musical nostalgia you crave.
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2020/2021 SEASON
MUSIC ENTERTAINS
ALEXANDER WHITE, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL TRUMPET
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TROUPE VERTIGO
OCTOB ER 2 , 3 OR 4
Gene Kelly: A Life in Music Neil Thomson conductor Patricia Ward Kelly host Music was central to Gene Kelly's work. It influenced him, inspired him, and in many ways, defined him. In 1969 the musical arrangements to many of MGM’s classic films were destroyed. Now with these scores carefully reconstructed, we bring you a remarkable event: Gene Kelly dancing on the big screen accompanied live by the Seattle Symphony! Hosted by Kelly’s wife and biographer, Patricia Ward Kelly, this special event takes you behind the scenes to share Gene Kelly’s own insights about the making of these enduring works. YOU’D ALSO LIKE
An Evening with Broadway sensation Audra McDonald. See page 5.
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DE C E M B ER 11, 12 O R 13
JAN UARY 8 , 9 O R 10
Stuart Chafetz conductor N’Kenge vocals
Jack Everly conductor Ron Remke vocals N’Kenge vocals Troupe Vertigo
Holiday Pops
There’s no place like Benaroya Hall for the holidays! Join conductor Stuart Chafetz and Broadway star N’Kenge for this dazzling program full of holiday favorites, traditional carols and plenty of yuletide cheer. All of the heartwarming sounds of the season await you at this lighthearted and joyful concert.
Cirque Goes Hollywood
Lights. Camera. Action. Troupe Vertigo returns to the Benaroya Hall stage with a program straight out of Hollywood! Aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists and strongmen will dazzle audiences with gravity-defying feats as the Seattle Symphony brings Hollywood's movie soundtracks to life in the concert hall.
This 6-concert package is perfect for the whole family. FRIDAYS AT 8PM SATURDAYS AT 8PM SUNDAYS AT 2PM
ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY
M AR CH 5 , 6 OR 7
Ann Hampton Callaway The Linda Ronstadt Songbook Stuart Chafetz conductor Ann Hampton Callaway vocals Celebrated singer-songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway takes you on a musical journey through Linda Ronstadt’s iconic songbook, tracing the many aspects of love through songs like “Different Drum,” “Desperado” and “You’re No Good.” Callaway brings a songwriter’s sensibility to this crowd-pleasing program, having penned songs for the likes of Carole King and Barbra Streisand. YOU’D ALSO LIKE
TOMMY DORSEY
CAPATHIA JENKINS
A PRIL 2 O R 3
JUNE 4, 5 OR 6
Terry Myers band leader Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
Lucas Waldin conductor Capathia Jenkins vocals Ryan Shaw vocals Phillip L. Ferrell II vocals Nicole Eskridge vocals Grace D. Ferrell vocals
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra In big band history, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra is recognized as one of the best all-around dance bands. Jazz trombonist Tommy Dorsey led his band to 17 number one hits in the 1930s and 1940s, and a young Frank Sinatra cut his teeth singing with this legendary band. Now, under the baton of clarinetist Terry Myers, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra brings that classic, sentimental big band sound to the Benaroya Hall stage.
Aretha: A Tribute
A tribute to the Queen of Soul, this program features Symphony favorite Capathia Jenkins and three-time Grammy Award nominee Ryan Shaw performing such iconic hits as “Respect,” “Think,” “A Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools,” “Amazing Grace” and many others.
The Sunday matinee performance for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra will take place on Saturday, April 3, at 2pm.
Stewart Copeland: Police Deranged for Orchestra. See page 5.
MUSIC AWAITS YOU!
SUBSCRIBE BY MARCH 28, 2020 TO ENSURE CURRENT PRICES. seattlesymphony.org | 206.215.4747
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MUSIC INSPIRES
Avi Avital The Four Seasons
Khatia Buniatishvili in Recital
Thomas Dausgaard Brahms Untuxed
CLASSICS HIGHLIGHTS
Classics Contemporary experiences with timeless themes. Virtuosic soloists and sublime moments. Whether you’re looking for a casual night out or a musical adventure, find unforgettable music at Benaroya Hall. Discover the delights of Baroque & Wine or enjoy your all-time symphonic favorites in the relaxed atmosphere of Untuxed. Extend your adventure with concerts showcasing the Seattle Symphony musicians, including our groundbreaking, late-night [untitled] series.
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WALTER GRAY, CELLO
MUSIC CAPTIVATES seattlesymphony.org | 206.215.4747
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Baroque & Wine
These musical delights from the decadent Baroque era are as pleasing on the palate as the wines poured at each pre-concert tasting. Just $15 for four pours in the Samuel & Althea Stroum Grand Lobby.
FRIDAYS OR SATURDAYS AT 8PM OCTO BER 2 2 OR 2 4
Avi Avital The Four Seasons Avi Avital conductor & mandolin Nuria Rial soprano Vivaldi The Four Seasons Traditional Venetian Gondolier Songs Internationally acclaimed mandolinist Avi Avital returns to Seattle, bringing a fresh new approach to Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons with the mandolin at center stage. Hear this evergreen classic anew — interspersed with traditional Venetian Gondolier songs — and prepare to be blown away by Avital’s dazzling, lightning-quick finger work and poetic interpretation of Vivaldi’s charming masterwork. The Friday performance of Avi Avital The Four Seasons will take place on Thursday, October 22, at 7:30pm.
AVI AVITAL
JANUARY 2 9 OR 30
Bach & Vivaldi Cello Concertos Lee Mills conductor Jean-Guihen Queyras cello Handel Concerto grosso, Op. 6, No. 5 Vivaldi Cello Concerto in G minor, RV 416 Rameau Selections from Les Boréades Vivaldi Cello Concerto in A minor, RV 419 C.P.E. Bach Cello Concerto in A major Haydn Symphony No. 13 Hear why The Sunday Times says, “Queyras’s handling of Vivaldi’s dazzling streams...is brilliant and precise” when the acclaimed French cellist performs a program of concertos by Vivaldi and C.P.E. Bach.
JEAN-GUIHEN QUEYRAS
M AY 14 OR 1 5
Bach Cantatas Matthew Halls conductor Benjamin Appl baritone Seattle Symphony Chorale J.S. Bach Cantatas With more than 200 cantatas to his name, J.S. Bach left behind a treasure trove of sublime, glorious vocal works. Baritone Benjamin Appl and conductor Matthew Halls take the audience on a musical tour of selections from this incredible collection of sacred music.
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2020/2021 SEASON
BENJAMIN APPL
In Recital VARIOUS DATES AND TIMES
M ONDAY, OCTOBER 1 9, AT 7 :30 PM
Ray Chen in Recital Ray Chen violin Julio Elizalde piano
Hailed together by The Plain Dealer as “something extraordinary, something remarkable”, international violin sensation Ray Chen and gifted American pianist Julio Elizalde make for one of the most dynamic duos in classical music. In a program as sweeping as their artistry, their Benaroya Hall mainstage debut includes Saint-Saën’s electrifying First Sonata for Violin and Piano, Ravel’s blazing Tzigane, and the sublime transcendence of Bach’s Chaconne and Debussy’s Clair de lune.
RAY CHEN
S U NDAY, FEBRUA RY 1 4 , AT 2 PM
Khatia Buniatishvili in Recital Khatia Buniatishvili piano
Pianist Khatia Buniatishvili has established herself as one of today’s most prominent classical music artists, at home on the world’s great stages and universally celebrated for her “authenticity, charisma, and persuasiveness” (NZZ) and “playing straight from the heart” (The Guardian). Join her as she returns to Benaroya Hall for a special one-night-only recital. KHATIA BUNIATISHVILI T UESDAY, APRIL 6, AT 7 :30 PM
Jean-Yves Thibaudet in Recital Jean-Yves Thibaudet piano Debussy Préludes, Books I and II
Pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet is hailed as “one of the best pianists in the world” for his profound artistry, poetic musicality and dazzling technical prowess. A beloved Seattle favorite, he returns to the Benaroya Hall stage to perform Debussy’s stunning Préludes, a picturesque collection of 24 vignettes that showcase the composer’s colorful approach to connecting sound, mood and image.
JEAN-YVES THIBAUDET
seattlesymphony.org | 206.215.4747
25
Untuxed
What makes the Untuxed series different? It’s short and with no intermission. Be informal — come as you are and enjoy the best of classical music.
FRIDAYS AT 7PM
NOVEMBER 6
Debussy Untuxed Karina Canellakis conductor Debussy Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune Britten Sinfonia da Requiem Debussy La mer The beauty and vastness of the ocean comes to life in Debussy’s La mer — from the playful dance of light on the surface to the high drama of titanic waves crashing into each other. JANUARY 1 5
Schumann Untuxed Gemma New conductor Sarah Gibson warp & weft R. Schumann Symphony No. 3, “Rhenish” His third and final symphony, Robert Schumann’s Rhenish Symphony reflects a fresh burst of optimism in the face of new challenges. From the heroic first movement to the bubbling, flowing scherzo, the music exudes joy and warmth throughout. FEB RUA RY 5
Brahms Untuxed Thomas Dausgaard conductor Kodály Dances of Galánta Brahms Symphony No. 4 The passionate intensity of Brahms’ final symphony is one of his most enduringly popular and astonishing works. M AR C H 2 6
Prokofiev Untuxed Thomas Dausgaard conductor Yekwon Sunwoo piano John Adams I Still Dance Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2 Yekwon Sunwoo is "a pianist who commands a comprehensive technical arsenal that allows him to thunder without breaking a sweat” (Chicago Tribune). Sunwoo makes his Seattle Symphony debut with Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2, which begins with a plaintive solo piano that melodically and gradually unfolds into a full-scale orchestral frenzy.
26
2020/2021 SEASON
MAE LIN, VIOLIN
MUSIC MESMERIZES Chamber Series
Hear the talented musicians of the Seattle Symphony take center stage to perform an exquisite assortment of chamber works in the intimate Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall.
NOVEMBER 1 0
M A RC H 2 3
Seattle Symphony musicians
Seattle Symphony musicians
Brahms Horn Trio R. Schumann String Quartet No. 2 György Kurtág Homage to R. Schumann Bartók String Quartet No. 6
Glinka Trio pathétique Arensky String Quartet No. 2 Taneyev String Trio, Op. 21 Shostakovich String Quartet No. 8
[untitled]
The critically acclaimed [untitled] series explores new and contemporary works in the informal atmosphere of the Samuel & Althea Stroum Grand Lobby.
TUESDAYS AT 7:30PM
Brahms, Schumann & More
FRIDAYS AT 10PM
Shostakovich, Glinka & More
J U N E 15
Nielsen, Beethoven & More Seattle Symphony musicians Nielsen Serenata in vano Beethoven String Quartet No. 10, “Harp” Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 Mozart Serenade No. 12, “Nachtmusik”
OCTOBER 1 6
FE B RUA RY 2 6
J U N E 11
Seattle Symphony musicians
Seattle Symphony musicians
Seattle Symphony musicians
Kenji Bunch String Circle Juri Seo Lost Songs Tan Dun Elegy: Snow in June
Wynton Marsalis A Fiddler’s Tale Suite Caroline Shaw Entr’acte Ned Rorem String Quartet No. 4 John Zorn Obscure Object of Desire
[untitled] 1
[untitled] 2
[untitled] 3 Arnold Quintet No. 1 Hindemith Trumpet and Bassoon Concerto Gernot Wolfgang Impressions
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27
Holiday
All your holiday favorites in one amazing downtown location.
VARIOUS DATES AND TIMES
FRIDAY, DE C E MB E R 4 , AT 8 P M SAT URDAY, D E C E MB E R 5 , AT 8 P M SUN DAY, D E C E MB E R 6 , AT 2 P M
W E D N E S DAY, D E C E MB E R 30, AT 7:30 PM SAT U R DAY, JAN UARY 2 , AT 8 PM S U N DAY, JAN UARY 3 , AT 2PM
Susie Benchasil Seiter conductor
Lee Mills conductor Joseph Adam organ Laura Strickling soprano Mary Phillips mezzo-soprano Nicholas Phan tenor Hadleigh Adams bass Seattle Symphony Chorale
Disney in Concert: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
See one of Tim Burton’s most celebrated films like never before! The full feature film, The Nightmare Before Christmas, will be projected on the big screen with dialogue, singing and effects accompanied by Danny Elfman’s darkly charming score played live by the Seattle Symphony. SUSIE BENCHASIL SEITER
Movie screened with live orchestra performing full film score. Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts. ©Disney. All rights reserved. MPAA Rating: PG
FRIDAY, DE C E MB E R 18, AT 8 P M SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, AT 1 & 8PM SUN DAY, D E C E MB E R 2 0, AT 2 P M
Handel Messiah Jory Vinikour conductor Sherezade Panthaki soprano Sara Couden contralto Steven Soph tenor Adam Lau bass Seattle Symphony Chorale Handel Messiah
LEE MILLS
A triumph of music and text, Handel’s Messiah is a matchless December tradition. The exquisite choral writing and the exultant “Hallelujah” chorus — featuring the Seattle Symphony, Chorale and a strong cast of soloists — honor Handel’s greatest work Performances of Handel’s Messiah are supported by a gift in memory of Gwen Jones Whyte.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, AT 7:30PM
A Festival of Lessons and Carols Joseph Crnko conductor Northwest Boychoir Vocalpoint! Seattle Members of the Northwest Sinfonia
The remarkably talented and endearing Northwest Boychoir, along with Vocalpoint! Seattle, present the story of the Nativity told through reading, choral setting and audience carols. A heartwarming evening of music perfect for the family.
28
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Beethoven Symphony No. 9
Barber Toccata Festiva L. Boulanger Vieille prière bouddhique Beethoven Symphony No. 9, “Choral” The beauty and drama of Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony is alternately awe-inspiring and uplifting, with the Ode to Joy the crowning jewel atop this transformative piece. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony for the ages is a wonderful way to end the year and start a new one. T H U R S DAY, D E C E MB E R 31, AT 9PM
New Year’s Eve Concert, Countdown & Celebration Lee Mills conductor Joseph Adam organ Laura Strickling soprano Mary Phillips mezzo-soprano Nicholas Phan tenor Hadleigh Adams bass Seattle Symphony Chorale
Barber Toccata Festiva L. Boulanger Vieille prière bouddhique Beethoven Symphony No. 9, “Choral” Start your New Year’s Eve off right with the grandeur of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and enjoy the splendor of the “Ode to Joy” chorus with family and friends. Then, ring in 2021 at a post-concert party featuring a special countdown to midnight.
MUSIC IGNITES
SUSAN GULKIS ASSADI, PRINCIPAL VIOLA
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Family Concerts AGES 6–12 | S. MARK TAPER FOUNDATION AUDITORIUM SATURDAYS AT 11AM
From timeless musical stories to holiday favorites, these concerts will delight and spark your imagination throughout the year. Extend your experience! Join us in the Samuel & Althea Stroum Grand Lobby one hour before the show for pre-concert activities featuring crafts and instrument exploration.
OCTO BER 31
Fire: The Firebird From de Falla’s Ritual Fire Dance to Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, the orchestra will spark your imagination during this magical concert that conjures the elemental force of fire.
DE CEMBER 5
Air: The Snowman “We're walking in the air, we’re dancing in the midnight sky.” You’ll be swept into the holiday spirit with your family and Raymond Briggs’ classic children’s book The Snowman!
M AR C H 6
Earth: The Grand Canyon Families will love exploring the beauty of our earth as the orchestra performs works that evoke the sounds of nature.
M AY 1 5
Water: The Sea From babbling brooks to stormy seas, composers around the world share their stories about our most precious resource: water.
30 SUBSCRIBE & SAVE!
Tiny Tots Concerts AGES 0–5 | ILLSLEY BALL NORDSTROM RECITAL HALL FRIDAYS AT 10:30AM OR SATURDAYS AT 9:30, 10:30 OR 11:30AM
Seattle Symphony musicians share their favorite stories, songs and musical games in a series that introduces your youngest listeners to the instruments of the orchestra. These interactive and fun concerts are 35 minutes. Arrive early for pre-concert activities that include an instrument zoo, a percussion play area and a fun craft in the Samuel & Althea Stroum Grand Lobby. Activities begin 30 minutes before every performance.
OCTOBER 2 OR 3
The Winds: Somewhere Over the Rainbow Seattle Symphony woodwind quintet What’s your favorite color? The flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon will explore the many colors of the woodwind family through enchanting music your littlest ones will love. DE CE MBER 11 OR 12
The Strings: Winter Wonderland Seattle Symphony string quintet Make memories together as the string family creates a magical winter wonderland through classic sing-alongs and your favorite holiday music. FEB RUA RY 5 OR 6
The Brass: Carnival of the Animals Seattle Symphony brass quintet You’ll want to swim like a swan, hop like a kangaroo and strut like a lion with the brass family featuring horn, trumpets, trombone and tuba. M AR CH 2 6 OR 2 7
The Percussion: Noise Makers Seattle Symphony percussionists Explore fun rhymes and dance to exciting rhythms with our friends in the percussion section! We’ll shake, we’ll rattle and we’ll clap along to the beat. JU NE 4 OR 5
The Orchestra: Simple Gifts Seattle Symphony chamber orchestra The string, wind, brass and percussion families all come together to create a tiny orchestra to share their gifts through songs you can sing and dance along to!
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Subscriber Rewards Savings on the Best Seats • Save over single ticket prices. Lock in the best prices for single concert add-ons, plus save 15% per ticket*! • Save 10% on recordings and other merchandise at Symphonica, The Symphony Store. *Available for most performances.
Priority Status • Priority presale opportunities for added concerts and special events. • Access to the best remaining seats for you and your friends during Subscriber Advantage Week. • FREE one-time seating upgrade coupon.
Flexibility & Service • FREE and easy ticket exchanges. (Upgrade costs may apply.) • FREE lost ticket replacement. • One Missed Concert Voucher to redeem after a missed concert.
Subscriber VIP Rewards • Exclusive invitations to special concerts and open rehearsals. • Enjoy discounts at local restaurants near or in Benaroya Hall.
32
2020/2021 SEASON
JOHN DICESARE, PRINCIPAL TUBA
SYMPHONY DONORS JOIN ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL CELLO NATHAN CHAN AND THE ORCHESTRA FOR A REHEARSAL
FRIENDS ENJOY INSIDER ACCESS
Support Your Symphony
We invite you to join our family of supporters who bring our music to life. From the concerts that inspire thousands, to education programs that ignite imagination in our children and community initiatives that share our music with people throughout our region, Friends of the Symphony provide vital funding for all that we do. Symphony donors enjoy insider access that brings you even closer to the music you love. Exclusive perks and unique experiences are available beginning at $120 a season or just $10 per month. You can visit the Friends Lounge for complimentary coffee and tea at concerts, go behind the scenes during multiple open rehearsals, plus receive special ticket discounts and offers at select local restaurants. Visit us online at seattlesymphony.org/friends to explore the full list of benefits. Ticket sales only cover half the costs to put on a full season of inspiring concerts. Your donation supports outstanding orchestra musicians, brings world-class conductors and soloists to the stage and keeps ticket prices affordable so more people can enjoy live symphonic music. Thank you for being a vital part of our Symphony community!
“Our symphony is part of the soul of Seattle and I can’t imagine our city without it, so I’d like to be part of the community that helps sustain it.” ROBERT, FELLOW MUSIC LOVER
Please include a donation with your subcription — your generosity sustains great music! Questions? Contact Donor Relations — we’d love to hear from you! friends@seattlesymphony.org | 206.215.4832 | seattlesymphony.org/friends
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Classics Baroque & Wine
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[untitled]
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Tiny Tots
p. 24
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p. 26
p. 27
p. 27
p. 30
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$126
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SEE PAGE
PARKING Benaroya Hall
Subscriber Exclusives Opening Night Concert SEE PAGE
Stewart Copeland: Police Deranged
Audra McDonald with SSO
China NCPA Orchestra
Disney in Concert: Nightmare Before Christmas
Handel Messiah
Lessons & Carols
Beethoven Symphony No. 9
New Year’s Eve
Celebrate Asia
Chick Corea Trio: Vigilette
p. 4
p. 5
p. 5
p. 5
p. 28
p. 28
p. 28
p. 28
p. 28
p. 5
p. 5
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$36
$31
$23
$22
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$43
$36
$42
$35
$31
$42
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$35
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$31
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$42
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$43
$52
$42
$35
$31
$42
$60
$37
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$43
$43
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$35
$36
$31
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$97
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$73
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$73
$46
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Five easy ways to subscribe 1. ONLINE: seattlesymphony.org/subscribe 2. PHONE: 206.215.4747 or 1.866.833.4747 (toll-free) 3. MAIL: Seattle Symphony Tickets, PO Box 2108, Seattle, WA 98111-2108 4. IN PERSON: Visit us at the corner of Third Avenue & Union Street (Mon–Fri, 10am to 6pm; Sat, 1 to 6pm) 5. GROUPS: 206.215.4818 — If you wish to sit with another patron, please inform the Ticket Office when ordering or include the information in the notes field for online orders. * Ticket prices include a $5 facility fee per ticket for the preservation of Benaroya Hall. Facility fee waived for children’s concerts. All prices are in U.S. dollars. All orders and seating subject to availability. All payments are processed upon receipt of order; this is not a guarantee of seating, but of your placement in the queue for the seats you’ve requested. You will be contacted by phone with any seating questions. No refunds will be made after your series has begun. All programs, artists and prices are subject to change without notice. Group subscriptions are available by calling 206.215.4818. Children 5 years of age and older are welcome at all performances with a purchased ticket.
PHOTO CREDITS: Pages 2, 7, 11, 15, 17, 23, 31, 29, Back Cover — Karya Schanilec; Pages 1, 3, 8, 9 — James Holt; Pages 13, 14, 20, 21, 33, 34, 35 — Brandon Patoc; Page 27 — Carlin Ma; Pages 30–31 — Kimberly Salt
SEP OCT
SEPTEMBER 19
Opening Night Concert & Gala Thomas Dausgaard conductor Khatia Buniatishvili piano
John Adams I Still Dance Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 Janáček Sinfonietta
SEPTEMBER 30
Stewart Copeland: Police Deranged for Orchestra
Lee Mills conductor Stewart Copeland host & percussion
SEPTEMBER 24, 26 & 27
Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique Thomas Dausgaard conductor Leif Ove Andsnes piano
Reena Esmail New Work (Seattle Symphony Co-commission & World Premiere) Mozart Piano Concerto No. 24 Berlioz Symphonie fantastique
OCTOBER 2, 3 & 4
Gene Kelly: A Life in Music
Neil Thomson conductor Patricia Ward Kelly host OCTOBER 2 & 3
The Winds: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Seattle Symphony woodwind quintet
OCTOBER 20
An Evening with Audra McDonald and the Seattle Symphony Andy Einhorn conductor Audra McDonald vocals OCTOBER 23
China NCPA Orchestra
OCTOBER 8 & 10
Lu Jia conductor Wu Wei sheng China NCPA Orchestra
Shiyeon Sung conductor James Ehnes violin
Qigang Chen itinéraire d’une illusion Unsuk Chin Šu for Sheng and Orchestra Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4
Charlotte Bray At the Speed of Stillness (U.S. Premiere) Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3 Dvořák Symphony No. 6
OCTOBER 22, 24 & 25
Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3
OCTOBER 15, 16 & 17
Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 1 Kazuki Yamada conductor Simon Trpčeski piano
Haydn Symphony No. 104, “London” Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 1 Ravel Mother Goose OCTOBER 16
Avi Avital The Four Seasons
Avi Avital conductor & mandolin Nuria Rial soprano Vivaldi The Four Seasons Traditional Venetian Gondolier Songs OCTOBER 29, 31 & NOVEMBER 1
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Jiří Rožeň conductor Noah Geller violin
Kenji Bunch String Circle Juri Seo Lost Songs Tan Dun Elegy: Snow in June
Mendelssohn The Hebrides (“Fingal’s Cave”) Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Suk Meditation on the old Czech Chorale “Saint Wenceslas” Kabeláč Symphony No. 4 “Camerata” (U.S. Premiere)
OCTOBER 19
OCTOBER 31
[untitled] 1
Seattle Symphony musicians
Ray Chen in Recital Ray Chen violin Julio Elizalde piano
NOV
NOVEMBER 5 & 7
Fire: The Firebird
NOVEMBER 12 & 14
Debussy La Mer
Elgar Cello Concerto
Debussy Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune Bartók Violin Concerto No. 2 Britten Sinfonia da Requiem Debussy La mer
Ligeti San Francisco Polyphony Elgar Cello Concerto Beach Symphony No. 2, “Gaelic”
NOVEMBER 6
Beethoven Missa Solemnis
Karina Canellakis conductor Alina Ibragimova violin
Debussy Untuxed
Thomas Dausgaard conductor Alisa Weilerstein cello
NOVEMBER 19, 21 & 22
Debussy Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune Britten Sinfonia da Requiem Debussy La mer
Thomas Dausgaard conductor Malin Christensson soprano Meg Bragle mezzo-soprano Toby Spence tenor Andrew Foster-Williams bass-baritone Seattle Symphony Chorale
NOVEMBER 10
Beethoven Missa solemnis
Karina Canellakis conductor
Brahms, Schumann & More Seattle Symphony musicians
Brahms Horn Trio R. Schumann String Quartet No. 2 György Kurtág Homage to R. Schumann Bartók String Quartet No. 6
Susie Benchasil Seiter conductor DECEMBER 5
Air: The Snowman DECEMBER 11, 12 & 13
Holiday Pops
Stuart Chafetz conductor N’Kenge vocals DECEMBER 11 & 12
The Strings: Winter Wonderland Seattle Symphony strings quintet DECEMBER 18, 19 & 20
Handel Messiah
Jory Vinikour conductor Seattle Symphony Chorale
DECEMBER 22
A Festival of Lessons and Carols Joseph Crnko conductor Northwest Boychoir Vocalpoint! Seattle Members of the Northwest Sinfonia DECEMBER 30, JANUARY 2 & 3
Beethoven Ninth Symphony Lee Mills conductor Seattle Symphony Chorale Barber Toccata Festiva L. Boulanger Vieille prière bouddhique Beethoven Symphony No. 9, “Choral” DECEMBER 31
New Year’s Eve Concert, Countdown and Celebration Lee Mills conductor Seattle Symphony Chorale
JANUARY 8, 9 & 10
JANUARY 21 & 22
Cirque Goes Hollywood
Jack Everly conductor Ron Remke vocals N’Kenge vocals Troupe Vertigo JANUARY 14 & 16
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 26
Gemma New conductor Nobuyuki Tsujii piano
Sarah Gibson warp & weft Mozart Piano Concerto No. 26, “Coronation” R. Schumann Symphony No. 3, “Rhenish”
JANUARY 15
Schumann Untuxed
Gemma New conductor
Sarah Gibson warp & weft R. Schumann Symphony No. 3, “Rhenish”
FEB
FEBRUARY 4 & 6
The Roots: Brahms’ Inspiration Thomas Dausgaard conductor Roby Lakatos violin Roby Lakatos Ensemble Kodály Dances of Galánta Brahms Hungarian Dances Brahms Symphony No. 4 FEBRUARY 5 & 6
The Brass: Carnival of the Animals Seattle Symphony brass quintet
Tchaikovsky “Pathétique” Symphony Pablo Rus Broseta conductor Mary Lynch oboe Benjamin Lulich clarinet Jeffrey Fair horn Seth Krimsky bassoon
Jörg Widmann Con brio Mozart Sinfonia Concertante for Winds Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique” JANUARY 29 & 30
Bach & Vivaldi Cello Concertos
Lee Mills conductor Jean-Guihen Queyras cello
Haydn Concerto grosso, Op. 6, No. 5 Vivaldi Cello Concerto in G minor, RV 416 Rameau Selections from Les Boréades Vivaldi Cello Concerto in A minor, RV 419 C.P.E. Bach Cello Concerto in A major Haydn Symphony No. 13
FEBRUARY 18, 20 & 21
Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Andrey Boreyko conductor Alexander Melnikov piano
Lutosławski Symphonic Variations Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Tchaikovsky Suite No. 3 FEBRUARY 25, 27 & 28
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4
Brahms Untuxed
Jonathon Heyward conductor Steven Osborne piano
Kodály Dances of Galánta Brahms Symphony No. 4
Hannah Kendall Kanashibari Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 Strauss Le bourgeois gentilhomme Suite
FEBRUARY 5
Thomas Dausgaard conductor
FEBRUARY 11, 12 & 13
Stravinsky The Firebird
Thomas Dausgaard conductor Pekka Kuusisto violin
Nielsen Symphony No. 6, “Sinfonia semplice” Enrico Chapela Violin Concerto (Seattle Symphony Co-commission & U.S. Premiere) Stravinsky The Firebird Suite FEBRUARY 14
Khatia Buniatishvili in Recital Khatia Buniatishvili piano
MARCH 5, 6 & 7
Ann Hampton Callaway The Linda Ronstadt Songbook Stuart Chafetz conductor Ann Hampton Callaway vocals MARCH 6
Earth: The Grand Canyon MARCH 18 & 20
Three Continents Concerto Christian Reif conductor Jan Vogler cello
Rouse Rapture Nico Muhly, Sven Helbig & Zhou Long Three Continents Concerto (U.S. Premiere) Wagner Selections from The Ring MARCH 21
Celebrate Asia
Keitaro Harada conductor Guarav Mazumdar sitar Zlatomir Fung cello Reena Esmail Sitar Concerto (Seattle Symphony Commission & World Premiere) Tchaikovksy Rococo Variations
APRIL 2 & 3
APR MAY
JAN
Handel Messiah
Barber Toccata Festiva L. Boulanger Vieille prière bouddhique Beethoven Symphony No. 9, “Choral”
MAR
DEC
DECEMBER 4, 5 & 6
Disney in Concert: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Terry Myers band leader Tommy Dorsey Orchestra APRIL 6
Jean-Yves Thibaudet in Recital Jean-Yves Thibaudet piano
Debussy Préludes, Books I and II APRIL 8, 9 & 10
Mahler Symphony No. 5 Thomas Dausgaard conductor Eric Lu piano Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20 Mahler Symphony No. 5
MAY 6, 8 & 9
Bach, Handel & Vivaldi
Lina Gonzalez-Granados conductor Elisa Barston violin Eduardo Rios violin Nathan Chan cello Eric Han cello Joseph Adam organ J.S. Bach Concerto for Two Violins Handel Organ Concerto Op. 7, No. 1 Vivaldi Concerto for Two Cellos Dvořák Serenade for Strings MAY 14 & 15
Bach Cantatas
FEBRUARY 26
Matthew Halls conductor Benjamin Appl baritone Seattle Symphony Chorale
Seattle Symphony musicians
J.S. Bach Cantatas
[untitled] 2
Wynton Marsalis A Fiddler’s Tale Suite Caroline Shaw Entr’acte Ned Rorem String Quartet No. 4 John Zorn Obscure Object of Desire
Shostakovich, Glinka & More Seattle Symphony musicians
Glinka Trio pathètique Arensky String Quartet No. 2 Taneyev String Trio, Op. 21 Shostakovich String Quartet No. 8 MARCH 25 & 27
Dvořák New World Symphony
Thomas Dausgaard conductor Yekwon Sunwoo piano John Adams I Still Dance Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2 Dvořák Symphony No. 9, “From the New World” MARCH 26 & 27
JUNE 4 & 5
JUNE 15
Seattle Symphony chamber orchestra
Seattle Symphony musicians
JUN
MARCH 23
The Orchestra: Simple Gifts JUNE 4, 5 & 6
Aretha: A Tribute
Lucas Waldin conductor Capathia Jenkins vocals Ryan Shaw vocals Phillip L. Ferrell II vocals Nicole Eskridge vocals Grace D. Ferrell vocals JUNE 10, 11 & 12
Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2 Ludovic Morlot conductor Augustin Hadelich violin
The Percussion: Noise Makers Seattle Symphony percussionists
Betsy Jolas A Little Summer Suite Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2 Franck Symphony in D
MARCH 26
JUNE 11
Thomas Dausgaard conductor Yekwon Sunwoo piano
Seattle Symphony musicians
Prokofiev Untuxed
John Adams I Still Dance Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2
APRIL 25
The Chick Corea Trio: Vigilette
[untitled] 3 Arnold Quintet No. 1 Hindemith Trumpet and Bassoon Concerto Gernot Wolfgang Impressions
Nielsen, Beethoven & More Nielsen Serenata in vano Beethoven String Quartet No. 10, “Harp” Mendelssohn Piano Trio No. 1 Mozart Serenade No. 12, “Nachtmusik” JUNE 17, 19 & 20
Bartók & Schumann
Thomas Dausgaard conductor Stefan Dohr horn Jenna Breen horn Jeffrey Fair horn Danielle Kuhlmann horn John Turman horn Hans Abrahamsen Horn Concerto (Seattle Symphony Co-commission & U.S. Premiere) R. Schumann Konzertstück for Four Horns Bartók Concerto for Orchestra JUNE 24 & 26
Tan Dun Buddha Passion
Thomas Dausgaard conductor Sen Guo soprano Huiling Zhu mezzo-soprano Yunpeng Wang baritone Tan Weiwei female indigenous singer Batubagen male indigenous singer Chen Yining fantan pipa soloist & dancer Northwest Boychoir Seattle Symphony Chorale Tan Dun Buddha Passion
Chick Corea piano Carlitos Del Puerto bass Marcus Gilmore drums APRIL 29 & MAY 1
Beethoven, Bartók & Stravinsky
Olari Elts conductor Behzod Abduraimov piano Beethoven Coriolan Overture Bartók Piano Concerto No. 3 Erkki-Sven Tüür Phantasma (U.S. Premiere) Stravinsky Pétrouchka
DELTA MASTERWORKS SEASON MAY 15
SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVES
Water: The Sea
CLASSICS PROGRAMS
MAY 20, 21 & 22
POPS SERIES
Haydn, Ravel & Mozart Piano Concertos
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet conductor & piano Haydn Piano Concerto in F major Ravel Piano Concerto in G Mozart Piano Concerto No. 9, “Jeunehomme”
FAMILY PROGRAMS
MUSIC UNITES
SUBSCRIBE BY MARCH 28, 2020.
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Beach Symphony No. 2, "Gaelic" Berlioz Symphonie fantastique Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Debussy La mer Beethoven Missa solemnis Mahler Symphony No. 5 Tan Dun Buddha Passion
206.215.4747 seattlesymphony.org MARY LYNCH, PRINCIPAL OBOE