Yannick Nézet-Séguin Music Director 2015-16 Season
BOOK YOUR GROUP TICKETS TODAY! 215.875.7695 www.philorch.org/groupsales
Jean Sibelius and Eugene Ormandy Leopold Stokowski Yannick Nézet-Séguin
The Philadelphia Sound The glorious Philadelphia Sound! For over 100 years composers, conductors, and artists have chosen to collaborate with The Philadelphia Orchestra because of our inimitable sound. We celebrate a century of unique Philadelphia music-making from the visionary genius of Leopold Stokowski and the great legacy of Eugene Ormandy to the dynamic, exciting, and inspiring performances of today with Yannick NézetSéguin. The season explores timeless masterworks by Rachmaninoff, Mahler, Stravinsky, Sibelius, and Elgar, among others, that were first performed by your Philadelphia Orchestra and that were given vital, influential interpretations early on through the Philadelphia Sound. Look for this symbol k to find the masterworks highlighted in the season that received either world or U.S. premieres by The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Dear Group Leaders and Trip Planners, The glorious Philadelphia Sound! Welcome to The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2015-16 season, Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s fourth as music director. Join us this season and you’ll be treated to concerts featuring timeless masterworks—many of which were first premiered by The Philadelphia Orchestra. We also bring to the stage, for you our audiences, artists of the highest caliber from all over the globe. Book as a group and take advantage of these great benefits. Group Benefits: • Incredible savings up to 40% off for most concerts • A low minimum of just 10 tickets to qualify as a group purchase • Personal attention, advice, and flexibility throughout the planning and ordering process • Ability to purchase tickets before the Box Office opens to the general public • No down payment required with seat reservation • Flexible payment policy • No per-ticket handling fee: With a group order there is only one low service charge per performance date Book your group TODAY! We continue to offer the most competitive values for these captivating musical experiences. As you explore our programs for the 2015-16 season, you will find group ticket prices listed in the last few pages of this brochure, including the PREMIUM concerts. For the PREMIUM PLUS Yo-Yo Ma performances, please contact the Group Sales department for pricing and availability. Please call 215.875.7695 or e-mail the Group Sales department at groupsales@philorch.org with any questions or ticket needs. We look forward to assisting you in planning your next group visit to The Philadelphia Orchestra!
Geoffrey Cohen
Amanda Grady
Corporate and Group Sales Manager
Corporate and Group Sales Coordinator
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Turn your group visit into a SPECIAL EVENT Add a private reception or city dining experience to complete your group’s visit to The Philadelphia Orchestra. Pre- or Post-Concert Catered Reception A reception at the Kimmel Center with Garces Catering is the ultimate way to turn your concert visit into an affair to remember! With menus inspired by renowned Philadelphia chef and Iron Chef winner Jose Garces, and multiple event space options, the Kimmel Center is one of the premier reception venues in the city. Cocktails at Bar Volvér From cocktails and a bite before a show at the Kimmel Center to an evening spent sharing champagne and snacks among friends post concert, Bar Volvér is a gorgeous setting for their beverage team’s exciting, artful cocktails, wines and beers, complemented by Chef Garces’s ambitious menu of globally influenced small plates. This is perfect for a group looking to make their concert experience into a complete evening, or as a networking event in conjunction with a concert. Let The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Group Sales team help to arrange an amazing night! Nearby Dining Options Take advantage of the many nearby dining options Center City has to offer. Not sure where to start? Ask our Group Sales department for help in your planning.
ENHANCE your concert experience* The Philadelphia Orchestra group sales team can turn a concert visit into an amazing experience with these enhancement options. Free Docent-Led Tour of the Kimmel Center At no additional cost, your group can receive a tour of the Kimmel Center, led by a volunteer docent. The tour takes roughly one hour and covers the building’s history, its significance to The Philadelphia Orchestra, and its great architectural marvels. Groups can schedule their tour based on their itinerary needs. Backstage Tours The Group Sales team can provide a short Backstage Tour of Verizon Hall. The tour will take roughly 15-25 minutes depending on the time it takes place and size of the group. It’s a great opportunity for groups to explore behind the scenes before the concert, and you never know who you might see! The tour is free, but subject to availability, and generally for groups of 60 people or less. Meet and Greet with Fabulous Philadelphians** Make your Philadelphia Orchestra visit more personal with a chance to meet the Orchestra musicians, the Fabulous Philadelphians! Whether you’d like to learn more about the Orchestra, take a picture, or have a program autographed, we can request this at no additional charge. Please note that a room fee may apply depending on the size of the group, and all requests for a meet-and-greet are subject to musician and space availability. School Educational Opportunities*** For performance groups looking to add an educational experience in conjunction with a concert visit beyond the above options, please contact the Group Sales department so we can learn more about your group and the educational aspect desired during your visit. Contact The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Group Sales department to plan your special event or concert enhancements.
groupsales@philorch.org 215.875.7695 www.philorch.org/groupsales *All concert enhancement and event opportunities with the purchase of group tickets are subject to availability. **Kimmel Center room fees may apply. ****School Educational Opportunities are subject to fees, as determined by The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Collaborative Learning Department.
Call 215.893.1955 or www.philorch.org
Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Opening Weekend: The Quintessential Philadelphia Sound What better way to kick off the 2015-16 season than with Rachmaninoff’s divine Piano Concerto No. 4 featuring the gifted pianist Daniil Trifonov. Oct. 1-4
The capital of all musical capitals—Vienna Celebrate this inspired city and its music with Yannick in January 2016. Jan. 13-30
Mahler’s “Symphony of a Thousand” Yannick leads over 400 musicians in four performances marking the centenary of this piece’s U.S. premiere, given by the Philadelphians and Leopold Stokowski. Mar. 10-13
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Stéphane Denève
Yo-Yo Ma
James Levine
Jan Lisiecki
Daniil Trifonov
The Legendary James Levine He is one of the most celebrated conductors of his generation. We welcome James Levine back to our podium with a sonically brilliant program that underscores the breadth and depth of his conducting mastery. Feb. 18-20
Yo-Yo Ma and Pictures from an Exhibition Don’t miss your chance to hear both in one night—the unmistakable Philadelphia Sound is showcased in an orchestration of Pictures from an Exhibition by Leopold Stokowski and phenomenal cello master Yo-Yo Ma performs John Williams’s Cello Concerto. Apr. 28-May 1
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John Williams
Wednesday, May 4 8 PM John Williams Conductor With his instantly recognizable scores, John Williams has redefined the art of film music. He has become undoubtedly one of the world’s most accomplished and successful composers for film and the concert stage, in a career that spans over five decades. Make plans now to join us for this magical evening as living-legend John Williams makes a rare Philadelphia appearance to lead a special benefit concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra. Five-time Academy Award and 21-time Grammy Award-winner John Williams conducts an unforgettable evening of music from the movies. He’s written countless iconic film soundtracks, including Star Wars, Indiana Jones, E.T., Harry Potter, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Schindler’s List, and many more! Don’t miss this chance to hear many of these scores come to life with the composer himself on the podium.
Tickets for this extraordinary event will go fast!
Get your group tickets today before they’re gone! Contact Group Sales department for pricing and availability. Maestro Williams and the musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra are graciously donating their services for this concert.
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October 2015 The Quintessential Philadelphia Sound PREMIUM Thursday, October 1 8 PM Friday, October 2 2 PM Saturday, October 3 8 PM Sunday, October 4 2 PM Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Daniil Trifonov Piano Ravel Une Barque sur l’océan k Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 4 k Rimsky-Korsakov Sheherazade Yannick begins a yearlong exploration of the inimitable Philadelphia Sound with Rachmaninoff, whose connection to the Philadelphians was unique in the world. His divine Fourth Piano Concerto premiered in Philadelphia in 1927 with the composer at the keyboard and Leopold Stokowski conducting. For these performances, the gifted 23-year-old Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov makes his subscription debut. Journey on Sinbad’s ship in Rimsky-Korsakov’s sweeping and romantic Sheherazade—seemingly invented to showcase the Philadelphia Sound. The program opens with Ravel’s own billowing seascape, Une Barque sur l’océan (A Ship on the Ocean), given its U.S. premiere by the Orchestra in 1953 with Ormandy conducting.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin
For Love of Country Thursday, October 8 8 PM Friday, October 9 2 PM Saturday, October 10 8 PM Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Gil Shaham Violin Daniil Trifonov
Grieg Suite No. 1 from Peer Gynt Bartók Violin Concerto No. 2 Sibelius Symphony No. 5 k How do national pride and love of homeland influence a great artist? Yannick is joined by Philadelphia favorite Gil Shaham for Bartók’s Violin Concerto No. 2, inspired by Hungarian folk tunes. The Philadelphians gave the U.S. premiere of Sibelius’s dynamic Fifth Symphony; the “swan hymn” in the melodic final movement depicts the composer’s memory of 16 swans flying over his cabin outside Helsinki. And Grieg’s popular Suite No. 1 from the Scandinavian fairy tale Peer Gynt is drawn from the music composed for a play by his Norwegian countryman Henrik Ibsen. These are Grieg’s own “greatest hits” picks!
Gil Shaham
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October/November 2015 Beethoven’s Eighth Friday, October 16 8 PM Saturday, October 17 8 PM Donald Runnicles Conductor Johannes Moser Cello Beethoven Symphony No. 8 Elgar Cello Concerto k Brahms Variations on a Theme of Haydn A beloved Orchestra collaborator, Donald Runnicles returns for a two-week visit. Elgar’s devastatingly emotional Cello Concerto received its U.S. premiere with the Philadelphians and Leopold Stokowski. As soloist we welcome back the exhilarating cellist Johannes Moser, who made a smashing subscription debut in 2014. Beethoven’s irrepressible Symphony No. 8 opens our program, its humorous elements belying the personal and physical ills that plagued him at the time. Brahms’s Variations on a Theme of Haydn provides a starring role for the matchless Philadelphia winds.
Donald Runnicles
Brahms’s “Double” Concerto Thursday, October 22 8 PM Friday, October 23 8 PM Saturday, October 24 8 PM Donald Runnicles Conductor David Kim Violin Hai-Ye Ni Cello Mozart Symphony No. 29 Brahms Concerto for Violin, Cello, and Orchestra (“Double”) Strauss Don Juan David Kim
The bold and soaring “Double” Concerto is one of Brahms’s most popular works. Concertmaster David Kim and Principal Cello Hai-Ye Ni grab the spotlight in this virtuosic piece, not performed by the Orchestra on subscription concerts in nearly 20 years. Strauss’s Don Juan is another great showpiece for this orchestra, with its oboe solos, sonorous horns, and heralding trumpets. Mozart’s exuberant early Symphony No. 29 (written at age 18) lays the groundwork for this GermanAustrian tableau. The October 23 concert is sponsored by
Johannes Moser
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The Original Rhapsody in Blue Thursday, October 29 8 PM Friday, October 30 2 PM Saturday, October 31 8 PM Marin Alsop Conductor Jon Kimura Parker Piano Debussy/orch. Schoenberg Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue (original jazz band version) Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 Here’s a fascinating rhythm: Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in the groundbreaking original jazz band version commissioned by the legendary bandleader Paul Whiteman. Gershwin specialist Jon Kimura Parker brings his “crisply focused pianism” (The New York Times) to a program led by Marin Alsop. You’ll hear Debussy’s dreamy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun in a different way, too, in a rarely heard and imaginative chamber orchestration by Schoenberg. Shostakovich’s intense and vehement Fifth Symphony is our concluding work, a crushing blow of music in stark contrast to the program’s more intimate and uninhibited opening works.
Marin Alsop
Mozart and Schumann Thursday, November 5 8 PM Friday, November 6 2 PM Saturday, November 7 8 PM Robin Ticciati Conductor Jonathan Biss Piano Schumann Overture to Manfred Mozart Piano Concerto No. 27, K. 595 Schumann Symphony No. 4
Robin Ticciati
Two Schumann masterpieces bookend Mozart’s final piano concerto in this tribute to musical genius. Joining the Orchestra is Curtis graduate (and now faculty member) pianist Jonathan Biss, who brings his special touch for Mozart’s music to a work widely considered among the composer’s greatest masterpieces. Schumann, an accomplished pianist himself, was in the prime of his career when he wrote his propulsive D-minor Symphony and the instrumental music inspired by Lord Byron’s poem Manfred. The always-dynamic Glyndebourne Festival Opera Music Director Robin Ticciati, making his fourth exciting Philadelphia Orchestra appearance, leads this program of Classical gems.
Jon Kimura Parker
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November 2015
Hannibal
One Land, One River, One People Friday, November 13 8 PM Saturday, November 14 8 PM Sunday, November 15 2 PM Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Laquita Mitchell Soprano Rodrick Dixon Tenor Combined Choirs including Morgan State University Choir Eric Conway Director Donald Dampson Choral Director Sibelius Finlandia Copland Appalachian Spring Hannibal One Land, One River, One People (Philadelphia Orchestra Commission—world premiere)
“Nothing is more sacred to me than music,” says American composer and jazz trumpeter Hannibal, whose work is influenced by spirituals, blues, and traditional African rhythms. In the world premiere of this emotionally charged new work—commissioned exclusively by The Philadelphia Orchestra—Hannibal explores, with a flowing river as the symbol, the connections among communities and all those who live in them. The themes of community and identity are established at the outset with Sibelius’s Finlandia, the de facto national anthem of his Finnish homeland, and Copland’s Appalachian Spring, the Pulitzer Prize-winning depiction of the American idyll, which also popularized the Shaker folk song “Simple Gifts.” These performances are made possible in part by the generous support of the Presser Foundation.
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Tchaikovsky’s Winter Dreams Thursday, November 19 8 PM Friday, November 20 2 PM Saturday, November 21 8 PM Gianandrea Noseda Conductor Leonidas Kavakos Violin Liszt Mazeppa Sibelius Violin Concerto Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 1 (“Winter Daydreams”) The much-sought-after Italian conductor Gianandrea Noseda kicks off the wintry season traversing the icy landscapes of Finland, Poland, and Russia. Tchaikovsky’s shimmering First Symphony (“Winter Daydreams”) paints a vivid picture of the snowy Russian countryside. The “spectacular” Leonidas Kavakos, “a marvel of exactitude” (The Philadelphia Inquirer), returns with the exquisite and demanding Sibelius Violin Concerto, depicting chilling Scandinavian fjords. Liszt’s lively symphonic poem Mazeppa opens the program with gusto.
Leonidas Kavakos
The November 19 concert is sponsored by
Rachmaninoff’s Paganini Rhapsody Friday, November 27 8 PM Saturday, November 28 8 PM Gianandrea Noseda Conductor Simon Trpčeski Piano Rossini Overture to The Thieving Magpie Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, for piano and orchestra k Casella Symphony No. 2 (U.S. premiere)
Gianandrea Noseda
Milanese conductor Gianandrea Noseda leads Rachmaninoff’s witty and challenging Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, a work the composer wrote with the Philadelphia Sound in his head. Stokowski and the Philadelphians gave the world premiere in 1934 with Rachmaninoff at the keyboard; the scintillating Macedonian pianist Simon Trpčeski joins the Orchestra for these performances. The program opens with Rossini’s effervescent Overture to The Thieving Magpie and concludes with a favorite of Noseda’s: fellow Italian Alfredo Casella’s luxuriant Symphony No. 2.
Simon Trpčeski
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December 2015/January 2016 The Complete Firebird PREMIUM Thursday, December 3 8 PM Friday, December 4 2 PM Saturday, December 5 8 PM Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Hilary Hahn Violin Bizet Suite No. 1 from Carmen Vieuxtemps Violin Concerto No. 4 Stravinsky The Firebird (complete ballet) Journey through France, beginning with the fiery Suite No. 1 from Bizet’s Carmen. Sure, the setting is in Seville, but composer, libretto, and racy themes are all French, through and through. Hilary Hahn has made the music of Vieuxtemps, who studied composition in Paris, a staple of her repertoire. She performs the virtuosic Violin Concerto No. 4. Stravinsky was consummately Russian but Paris was the place to be in 1910, and the Ballets Russes production of The Firebird propelled the young composer to international fame. If you’re accustomed to hearing one of the shorter Firebird suites, prepare to love the breathtaking, complete score.
Yannick Conducts Messiah PREMIUM Friday, December 11 8 PM Saturday, December 12 8 PM
Hilary Hahn
Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Karina Gauvin Soprano Karen Cargill Mezzo-soprano Christophe Dumaux Countertenor Andrew Staples Tenor Matthew Rose Bass James Alexander Stage Director Handel Messiah Kicking off the holiday season in grand style, Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads a reverential, theatrically informed production of Handel’s Messiah. Scottish stage director James Alexander, whose brilliant production of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion was a soldout success, returns with another inspired artistic collaboration. Don’t miss this fresh treatment of a venerable, 250-year-old tradition, featuring a fine roster of vocalists, chorus, and the glorious musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra. This production highlights the Orchestra’s ardent commitment to a concert experience that captivates audiences and brings forward a broader artistic interpretation of the work.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Conductor-in-Residence Cristian Măcelaru leads a student Side-by-Side Concert
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“The Philadelphia Sound is born of the deep musicality,
the generosity of spirit, and the incomparable commitment to ensemble playing of our Orchestra musicians.” It is a unity of sound that distinguishes The Philadelphia Orchestra from all others.” –Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” Thursday, January 7 8 PM Friday, January 8 2 PM Saturday, January 9 8 PM Fabio Luisi Conductor Christian Tetzlaff Violin Glinka Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 (“Pathétique”) Conductor Fabio Luisi returns with a rousing program of Russian favorites. Glinka’s dashing Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila is our curtainraiser, setting the stage for the brilliant Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with good friend Christian Tetzlaff doing the honors as soloist. The program ends in grand style with Tchaikovsky’s last symphony, the popular Sixth. The masterpiece is infused with feeling and emotion; above the passion, that famous and recognizable central melody soars. This is classic Philadelphia Sound repertoire; in the Philadelphians’ hands, the Russian obsession with fate, loss, and tragedy never sounded so beautiful.
Christian Tetzlaff
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January 2016
Music of Vienna For centuries composers have found boundless inspiration in the musical culture of Vienna. From Johann Strauss, Jr., to Mahler, Beethoven, and Bruckner, the Viennese tradition is highlighted as a cornerstone of the Philadelphia Sound in this three-week festival.
Vienna Melodies
Haydn and Bruckner
PREMIUM Wednesday, January 13 8 PM Friday, January 15 2 PM Saturday, January 16 8 PM
Thursday, January 21 8 PM Friday, January 22 2 PM
Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Jan Lisiecki Piano J. Strauss, Jr. “Tales from the Vienna Woods” Waltz Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 Beethoven/orch. Mahler String Quartet No. 11 (“Serioso”) Gruber Charivari Yannick sets the tone for his three-week Vienna Festival with native-born Johann Strauss Jr.’s famous “Tales from the Vienna Woods.” There’s no more idyllic picture of the city than this, an elegant Viennese waltz. Then the journey continues, from the regal, Old-World grandeur of Strauss to the profound offerings of Beethoven, who wrote so prolifically in Vienna. Audience favorite Jan Lisiecki returns to Verizon Hall to finesse the dramatic Fourth Piano Concerto. Mahler’s orchestration of Beethoven’s “Serioso” String Quartet and H.K. Gruber’s Charivari complete the program.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Haydn Symphony No. 103 (“Drum Roll”) Bruckner Symphony No. 4 (“Romantic”) In these concerts, Vienna is a movable feast! Though closely associated with the Austrian capital, Haydn wrote his “Drum Roll” Symphony during one of his famous visits to London. The piece begins with a dramatic timpani roll; its final movement kicks off with a horn call. The sound of the hunt echoes in Bruckner’s popular Fourth Symphony (“Romantic”), which premiered in Vienna in 1881. This is the most “terrestrial-based” of Bruckner’s mostly ethereal symphonies. It’s the everyday music of the people, presented in grand and sweeping symphonic style, and elevated by Yannick’s deep affinity for the composer.
“Signs are bright for Mr. Nézet-Séguin’s work with this great orchestra.” –The New York Times 16
Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Leif Ove Andsnes
A Farewell to Vienna Thursday, January 28 8 PM Friday, January 29 2 PM Saturday, January 30 8 PM Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Leif Ove Andsnes Piano Webern Im Sommerwind k Schumann Piano Concerto Brahms Symphony No. 2 We end our sojourn in Vienna with three legendary works, exemplifying the rich heritage of this unparalleled musical capital. Webern’s richly orchestrated Im Sommerwind—a glorious evocation of a summer’s day—was given its world premiere by The Philadelphia Orchestra. The incredible Leif Ove Andsnes brings out all the wonder of Schumann’s Piano Concerto, which was years in the making. And Brahms, a colossus of the Viennese musical scene, offers a fitting finale, with his stirring Symphony No. 2. Auf Wiedersehen, Vienna!
Jan Lisiecki
Associate Principal Trumpet Jeffrey Curnow and trumpeter Robert Earley
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February/March 2016 Brahms and His Legacy Thursday, February 4 8 PM Friday, February 5 2 PM Saturday, February 6 8 PM Andrés Orozco-Estrada Conductor Augustin Hadelich Violin Barber Overture to The School for Scandal k Brahms Violin Concerto Dvořák Symphony No. 7 Andrés Orozco-Estrada
Vladimir Jurowski
Samuel Barber was just 21 when he wrote the lush, vibrant Overture to The School for Scandal, premiered by The Philadelphia Orchestra in 1933. Barber could be considered the American Brahms and we’ve put these two masters together so you can decide for yourself. Brahms’s splendid Violin Concerto is the perfect showpiece for our soloist, Augustin Hadelich. Brahms was also a great champion of Dvořák, whose impassioned Symphony No. 7 has touched audiences worldwide since its premiere. The zestful Colombian conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada makes his debut with these superb concerts.
Bronfman Plays Beethoven Thursday, February 11 8 PM Friday, February 12 8 PM Saturday, February 13 8 PM Sunday, February 14 2 PM Vladimir Jurowski Conductor Yefim Bronfman Piano Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 (“Emperor”) Miaskovsky Symphony No. 10 k Janáček Taras Bulba Any time we have Yefim Bronfman playing Beethoven with Vladimir Jurowski is a special occasion! With eloquent support from Jurowski and the Orchestra, Bronfman brings his magisterial keyboard skills to Beethoven’s towering “Emperor” Concerto, revealing all the wonders of this masterwork. In the second half of the program, Jurowski turns to Miaskovsky, a prolific composer whose Tenth Symphony was given its U.S. premiere by The Philadelphia Orchestra and Leopold Stokowski. Another burst of romantic nationalism rounds out our program, with Janáček’s tone poem Taras Bulba. It’s hard-hitting, thrilling, and robust.
Yefim Bronfman
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The Legendary James Levine PREMIUM Thursday, February 18 8 PM Friday, February 19 2 PM Saturday, February 20 8 PM James Levine Conductor Paul Jacobs Organ Ives Three Places in New England Brahms Serenade No. 2 Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3 (“Organ”) He’s one of the most celebrated conductors of his generation. We welcome James Levine back to our podium with a sonically brilliant program that underscores the breadth and depth of his conducting mastery. Saint-Saëns’s powerful “Organ” Symphony, which helped inaugurate Verizon Hall’s majestic Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ, is a thrilling feast of sound. It provides the grand conclusion of a program that also features Brahm’s early Serenade No. 2, and Ives’s stirring Three Places in New England. This is Levine’s first appearance with the Orchestra in 20 years. Don’t miss the opportunity to revel in this exceptional musical partnership!
James Levine
Yannick and Hélène Welcome Spring Thursday, March 3 8 PM Friday, March 4 2 PM Saturday, March 5 8 PM Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Hélène Grimaud Piano Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2 Schumann Symphony No. 1 (“Spring”)
Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts a Free Neighborhood Concert at Temple University
Yannick and Hélène Grimaud, two great musical friends, come together to bring us an enduring monument of classical music: Brahms’s immortal Second Piano Concerto. Experience for yourself what the Los Angeles Times calls Grimaud’s “elegant, cinematic presence … and rhythmic élan.” In the second half, we hear Brahms’s friend Schumann. With the winter weather hopefully drawing to a close, Schumann’s “Spring” Symphony is a triumph in its own right, exemplifying his credo: “To send light into the darkness of men’s hearts— such is the duty of the artist.” The March 3 concert is sponsored by Hélène Grimaud
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March/April 2016
Leopold Stokowski, Orchestra Board President Alexander Van Rensselaer, and the soloists for the 1916 U.S. premiere of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8
Erin Wall
Angela Meade
“The ‘Symphony of a Thousand’ is best known for its size and impressively majestic force, but it also reaches deeply secretive corners of our souls, bringing us to a sense of peaceful harmony.” —Yannick Nézet-Séguin
“Symphony of a Thousand” Mahler Eight
PREMIUM Thursday, March 10 8 PM Friday, March 11 8 PM Saturday, March 12 8 PM Sunday, March 13 2 PM Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Angela Meade Soprano Erin Wall Soprano Lisette Oropesa Soprano Stephanie Blythe Mezzo-soprano Mihoko Fujimura Mezzo-soprano Anthony Dean Griffey Tenor Markus Werba Baritone John Relyea Bass Westminster Symphonic Choir Joe Miller Director The Choral Arts Society of Washington Scott Tucker Artistic Director The American Boychoir Fernando Malvar-Ruiz Music Director Mahler Symphony No. 8 (“Symphony of a Thousand”) k
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The nickname “Symphony of a Thousand” may be an exaggeration; there will be “only” four hundred or so singers and musicians in these performances. But Mahler’s masterful Symphony No. 8 is otherwise immune to hyperbole. It’s an enormous, ambitious, soul-stirring work that simply must be experienced live. Yannick Nézet-Séguin marshals these tremendous forces to produce a sublime realization of Mahler’s absolute belief in the profound importance of this music. These performances mark the 100th anniversary—almost to the day—of the Symphony’s U.S. premiere by The Philadelphia Orchestra. These performances are made possible in part by the generous support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Khaner Plays Mozart Thursday, March 17 8 PM Friday, March 18 2 PM Saturday, March 19 8 PM Ton Koopman Conductor and Harpsichord Tini Mathot Harpsichord Jeffrey Khaner Flute
Principal Flute Jeffrey Khaner
J.S. Bach Orchestral Suite No. 3 C.P.E Bach Concerto for Two Harpsichords in F major Mozart Flute Concerto No. 1 Haydn Symphony No. 83 (“The Hen”) J.S. Bach’s Third Orchestral Suite contains one of the most often-played pieces of music (the second movement “Air on the G String”) but the rest of the Suite is beautiful, quintessential Bach as well. Early music specialist Ton Koopman conducts and solos at the keyboard, joined by his wife, Tini Mathot, in C.P.E. Bach’s Concerto for Two Harpsichords in F major. The spotlight shines on Principal Flute Jeffrey Khaner, playing Mozart’s cheerful and majestic Flute Concerto No. 1. “Papa” Haydn’s Symphony No. 83 (“The Hen”) brings our concert to a charming close.
Timeless Classics Thursday, March 31 8 PM Friday, April 1 2 PM Saturday, April 2 8 PM Pablo Heras-Casado Conductor Akiko Suwanai Violin Tchaikovsky The Tempest Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2 Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3 (“Scottish”) An ocean voyage, a thundering storm, two young lovers, all presided over by a powerful wizard! Tchaikovsky turns to Shakespeare for inspiration, delivering a brilliant evocation of the magical doings in The Tempest. We fast-forward into the 20th century with Tchaikovsky’s fellow Russian, Prokofiev, and his spirited Second Violin Concerto, echoing with everything from Russian folk tunes to Spanish castanets, performed by the sensational Akiko Suwanai. We complete our journey through time and space with a return to the Classical, and Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony, completed in 1842. The sizzling conductor Pablo Heras-Casado makes his Philadelphia Orchestra debut.
Akiko Suwanai
The March 31 concert is sponsored by
Pablo Heras-Casado
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April 2016 An American in Paris PREMIUM Friday, April 8 8 PM Saturday, April 9 8 PM Sunday, April 10 2 PM Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Alexandre Tharaud Piano Weill Symphony No. 2 Ravel Piano Concerto for the Left Hand Gershwin An American in Paris We take you to the jazz-infused 1930s for this sparkling trio of pieces. George Gershwin’s vivid An American in Paris is arguably the finest musical love letter ever penned to a city. Yannick is also a big fan of Weill’s Symphony No. 2, and it’s no wonder: It has the edgy energy of the time period and the craftsmanship of a well-refined symphony. Ravel wrote his Piano Concerto for the Left Hand for an Austrian pianist wounded in World War I. French pianist Alexandre Tharaud dispatches this challenging score with panache and brilliant musicality.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Fabulous Philadelphians:
the Commissions Thursday, April 14 8 PM Friday, April 15 2 PM Saturday, April 16 8 PM Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Don S. Liuzzi Timpani Ricardo Morales Clarinet Bernstein Suite from Fancy Free Wright Timpani Concerto
(Philadelphia Orchestra Commission—world premiere) Principal Timpani Don Liuzzi
Leshnoff Clarinet Concerto
(Philadelphia Orchestra Commission—world premiere)
Prokofiev Symphony No. 7 k
Glimpse the future of the Philadelphia Sound as Yannick and the Orchestra continue their proud tradition of commissioning new works for principal players. These concerts feature world-premiere showpieces for Principal Clarinet Ricardo Morales, performing a new Clarinet Concerto by Jonathan Leshnoff, and Principal Timpani Don Liuzzi with a Timpani Concerto by Maurice Wright. Ricardo and Don share the stage with Leonard Bernstein’s suite from his ballet Fancy Free and the program concludes with Prokofiev’s final symphony, his mighty Seventh, given its U.S. premiere by the Orchestra and Eugene Ormandy. Good company! The April 14 concert is made possible in part by the generous support of the Presser Foundation.
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Principal Clarinet Ricardo Morales
Two Stravinsky Tales PREMIUM Thursday, April 21 8 PM Friday, April 22 2 PM Saturday, April 23 8 PM Cristian Măcelaru Conductor James Alexander Stage Director Stravinsky The Soldier’s Tale (complete) Stravinsky The Rite of Spring k Our conductor-in-residence, Cristian Măcelaru, leads Stravinsky as you’ve never heard (and seen) him before! The Soldier’s Tale, staged by James Alexander, is presented in a complete version featuring actors, dancers, a narrator, and a septet of Orchestra musicians. In this stunning rendition of a Russian folktale, the devil cons a soldier into trading his treasured fiddle for a promise of riches. All fiddles are present and accounted for in The Rite of Spring: Over 100 musicians join in this unstaged orchestral presentation of Stravinsky’s most famous composition, given its U.S. premiere by The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Conductor-in-Residence Cristian Măcelaru
283 World Premieres and Counting— That’s the Philadelphia Sound’s contribution to the repertoire www.philorch.org
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April/May 2016 Yo-Yo Ma PREMIUM PLUS Thursday, April 28 8 PM Friday, April 29 8 PM Saturday, April 30 8 PM Sunday, May 1 2 PM Stéphane Denève Conductor Yo-Yo Ma Cello Williams Tributes! For Seiji Williams Cello Concerto Debussy “Clouds” and “Festivals,” from Nocturnes Musorgsky/orch. Stokowski Pictures from an Exhibition The phenomenal cello master Yo-Yo Ma kicks off a two-week celebration of John Williams’s music. Williams wrote the Cello Concerto specifically for Ma, at the suggestion of legendary conductor Seiji Ozawa (who is celebrated in our opening piece). Debussy’s “Clouds” and “Festivals” from Nocturnes were inspired by Whistler’s series of Impressionist paintings by the same name. We remain in our imaginary art museum for the finale: Musorgsky’s Pictures from an Exhibition. Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève presents Leopold Stokowski’s version, showcasing the unmistakable Philadelphia Sound.
Yo-Yo Ma
Stéphane Denève Conducts Williams Thursday, May 5 8 PM Friday, May 6 2 PM Saturday, May 7 8 PM Stéphane Denève Conductor James Ehnes Violin Ravel Pavane pour une infante défunte Williams Violin Concerto Beethoven Symphony No. 7 Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève leads a terrific program of life-affirming music. Ravel’s Pavane for a Dead Princess turns to a stately dance form (the “pavane,” popular during the Renaissance) as the basis for this shimmering Impressionist work, filled with gorgeous melodies. John Williams’s Violin Concerto, written in 1976 as a tribute to his late wife, is a standout vehicle for Canadian virtuoso James Ehnes, who’ll ring all the pathos from this beautiful score. We close with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, a masterpiece that’s nothing short of heavenly. Principal Guest Conductor Stéphane Denève
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The Grand Finale PREMIUM Thursday, May 12 8 PM Friday, May 13 8 PM Saturday, May 14 8 PM Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Lang Lang Piano Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 1 Mahler/Cooke Symphony No. 10 k A Philadelphia favorite himself, the incomparable Lang Lang plays another Philadelphia favorite, Sergei Rachmaninoff, whose career was so entwined with the Orchestra. Lang Lang’s blend of youthful dynamism and extraordinary musicianship is perfect for the Piano Concerto No. 1, guaranteed to spark fireworks onstage. We end with Mahler’s last symphony, No. 10, left unfinished at his death. Yannick’s passion for this realization of Mahler’s final work—first premiered and recorded in the U.S. by Eugene Ormandy—summons a Philadelphia Sound you’ll feel as well as hear. Join us for this unforgettable season-ending event!
Lang Lang
www.philorch.org
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The Season Begins ... with a fabulous Opening Night Wednesday, September 30 It’s our most cherished fall tradition. The Philadelphia Orchestra Opening Night marks the beginning of Philadelphia’s cultural season. It is a wonderful celebration of all that lies ahead. Join Yannick and our Fabulous Philadelphians at the 2015 Opening Night Concert and Gala. This year’s black-tie event promises the fellowship of friends gathering to celebrate the unique Philadelphia Sound of our Orchestra. Come join our shared revelry of incredible food, drink, and memorable music, all under the Kimmel Center’s soaring roof of stars. From pre-concert Champagne to post-concert dinner, we will welcome the 2015-16 season in grand style as the echoes of gaiety lift up the Philadelphia Sound of our remarkable musicians. Please join us! Call Karen Klaverkamp in the Volunteer Relations Office at 215.893.1956 today to make sure you are on the invitation list! Concert-only tickets for the evening are also available—simply add them to your subscription.
The Philadelphia Orchestra is grateful
to the many corporations, foundations, and government agencies that provide generous support each year. These wonderful partners help fund our performances, educational and outreach programs, and other innovative projects. Become one of our partners and take advantage of the many special opportunities we have to offer.
We would also like to give special thanks to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Gray Charitable Trust, Presser Foundation, Raynier Institute and Foundation, William Penn Foundation, and the Wyncote Foundation for their unwavering support.
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F A M I L Y Concert Series Family Concert group tickets start as low as $10. Enhance your child’s experience with Pre-Concert Adventures, held at 10:00 AM in Perelman Theater. Free to all Family Concert ticket holders, Pre-Concert Adventures are an interactive exploration of the composers, instruments, and pieces featured in each performance.
Halloween Costume Party Saturday, October 31, 2015 11:30 AM What will you be for Halloween? Join the Orchestra as they put on musical costumes to tell magical stories. Let your imagination be your guide through a journey of orchestral disguises. Some characters are funny. Some are scary. The flutes turn into the flowing Moldau River, the violin dresses up as princess Sheherazade, and the whole Orchestra becomes little goblins! Come in costume—the musicians wear marvelous costumes, too—and let the musical quick-change artists of The Philadelphia Orchestra entertain you! SPECIAL CONCERT
Christmas Kids’ Spectacular
Yannick’s Guide to the Orchestra Saturday, March 5, 2016 11:30 AM Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Puppet Kitchen
Saturday, December 5, 2015 11:30 AM
Britten The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
Hear the sleigh bells jingle and the trumpets sound! Get your tickets early for our annual Christmas Kids Spectacular! This year’s concert features favorite carols and holiday classics like Sleigh Ride and the “Toy” Symphony; a holiday sing-along; music from Disney’s Frozen; and—ho ho ho!—a visit from Santa (who must love the Orchestra; he’s back every year!) Let The Philadelphia Orchestra kick off your holiday season in fun, festive, and family-friendly fashion!
Yannick brings his infectious enthusiasm to a new production by the “seriously fun” Puppet Kitchen. Whether you know this timeless and entertaining childrens’ classic by heart or are hearing it for the first time, you’ll love how Britten dissects the orchestra, examines all the parts, and brings it all back together in a glorious tapestry of sound! The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra is the ultimate VIP tour of The Philadelphia Orchestra.
B… B… B… Beethoven: Those Four Famous Notes Saturday, February 6, 2016 11:30 AM Michael Boudewyns and Really Inventive Stuff You know the famous first four notes; now get to know the rest! What makes Beethoven so great, and why do we still love him 200 years after he scribbled down those notes? We dig into Beethoven’s ever-popular Fifth Symphony seeking answers to these questions, and learning fun facts about his life and times along the way. This special theatrical production by Really Inventive Stuff is a delightful introduction to Beethoven’s musical genius.
Music, Noise, and Silence Saturday, April 2, 2016 11:30 AM Magic Circle Mime Company We all know that Music reigns in the concert hall … but what happens when Silence buys a ticket and Noise barges in? Is the performance doomed? The clever (and very quiet) Magic Circle Mime Company joins The Philadelphia Orchestra and proves—with a little help from Mendelssohn, Bach, and Strauss—that, with our great musicians, the conductor—and the audience!—the orchestra will always make beautiful Music.
www.philorch.org
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Special Holiday Events Capture the spirit of the holidays with The Philadelphia Orchestra’s beloved concerts and timeless traditions. Top off the season with the annual New Year’s Eve celebration! Share the spirit of the season with your group by securing the best possible seats today, prior to them going on sale to the public!
Halloween Organ Extravaganza Friday, October 30 9:30 PM The Halloween Organ Extravaganza combines thrilling organ repertoire, both traditional and novel, into a fun Halloween evening. Experience the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ like never before in this late-night Halloween performance. See the virtuosic action on the keyboard and pedals up close through unique video projection in the hall. Experience the full range of this incredible instrument’s capabilities through remarkable showpieces and demonstrations, enhanced by dramatic lighting and theatrical effects. After the concert, audience members are invited to lie down on the Verizon Hall stage to feel the awesome power of the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ and its lowest, vibrating sounds. The October 30 concert is made possible in part by the generous support of the Wyncote Foundation.
Yannick Conducts Messiah Sunday, December 13 2 PM Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor James Alexander Stage Director Handel Messiah A revered holiday tradition returns, this season with three special performances of Messiah. Yannick and The Philadelphia Orchestra join forces with a joyous chorus of outstanding singers and the gifted stage director James Alexander for a theatrical production of Handel’s beloved oratorio. Purchase tickets for our closing performance on December 13, or subscribe for the best seats on December 11 and 12. You’ll want to be in Verizon Hall when the joyful “Hallelujahs!” resound.
New Year’s Eve Thursday, December 31 7:30 PM Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Ring in 2016 in style with Yannick and the Fabulous Philadelphians! There’s no better place to be than under the shimmering dome of the Kimmel Yannick Nézet-Séguin Center as we welcome the New Year in fun and festive fashion. Join us as we toast auld lang syne … and begin another full year of celebrating the inimitable Philadelphia Sound.
The Glorious Sound of Christmas Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, December 17, 18, 19 7 PM Sunday, December 20 2 PM Bramwell Tovey Conductor Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia
Bramwell Tovey
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Back by popular demand, the multi-talented Bramwell Tovey (he’s a Grammy-winning conductor, composer, pianist, and narrator) is coming to town, full of holiday merriment. From favorite traditional carols to Tovey’s own artistic offerings, like his original “Rittenhouse Carol,” our Glorious Sound of Christmas concerts are guaranteed to get you in the spirit of the season. At the heart? “The core of it all is the humanity of the players,” says Tovey. He’s thrilled to be a part of the Philadelphians’ “exalted” music-making … and you will be too!
John Williams Stéphane Denève
Hélène Grimaud
Hilary Hahn
Lang Lang
Yo-Yo Ma
Leonidas Kavakos
Fabio Luisi James Levine
Daniil Trifonov
www.philorch.org
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Orchestra 1
Orchestra 2
Orchestra 3
Orchestra 4
Orchestra 5
Orchestra 6
Front Orchestra
Orchestra Tier
Groups save at The Philadelphia Orchestra!
Wednesday or Thursday
$99
$68
$63
$53
$53
$48
$34
$53
Wednesday or Thursday PREMIUM
$104
$77
$77
$61
$61
$53
$41
$61
Friday
$98
$67
$62
$52
$52
$47
$33
$52
2015-16 GROUP TICKET PRICING* Price per Concert
Friday PREMIUM
$103
$76
$76
$60
$60
$52
$40
$60
Saturday or Sunday
$104
$72
$67
$57
$57
$52
$38
$57
Saturday or Sunday PREMIUM
$108
$81
$81
$65
$65
$57
$45
$65
Halloween Costume Party
$29
$25
$25
$25
$25
$25
$16
$25
Christmas Kids' Spectacular
$30
$26
$26
$26
$26
$26
$17
$26
Family Concerts
$28
$24
$24
$24
$24
$24
$15
$24
Opening Night
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
$85
$85
n/a
$85
Halloween Organ Extravaganza
$45
$45
$45
$45
$45
$45
$45
$45
Yannick Conducts Messiah
$95
$95
$80
$80
$65
$65
$35
$65
The Glorious Sound of Christmas Thursday
$65
$65
$50
$50
$40
$40
$16
$45
The Glorious Sound of Christmas Friday/Saturday
$80
$80
$65
$65
$50
$50
$31
$50
New Year’s Eve
$105
$105
$95
$95
$65
$65
$35
$65
John Williams
$230
$230
$200
$200
$200
$200
$230
$200
Special Events
2
$60
$37
$58
$88
$57
$36
$55
$108
$65
$42
$63
$17
$11
$16
$30
$18
$12
$17
$28
$16
$10
$15
$65
$40
n/a
n/a
$45
$45
$45
$45
$106
$65
$40
n/a
$60
$45
$25
n/a
$80
$50
$30
n/a
$105
$65
$40
n/a
$230
$165
$95
$95
Orch. 2
Orch. 3
Orch. 4
Orc hestra Tier
Tier 1 Boxes
Tier 2 Boxes
$29
Orch. 1
Orche stra Boxes
$103
Front O estra rch Orch. 5
$50
Tier 2 Box es
$31
oxe s
$52
Tier 3 B
Conductor’s Circle
$83
Tier 2 Boxes
Tier 3
$59
Tier 3 Boxes
Tier 2
$38
Tier 3 Boxes
$61
oxes
$104
3B Tier
$51
es Box
$32
r2 Tie
$53
or nduct ’s Circle Co
Orch. 6
$84
VERIZON HALL
s Orchestra Boxe
Tier 1
For PREMIUM PLUS concert pricing, please call 215.875.7695 or e-mail groupsales@philorch.org.
Tier 1 Center
Tier 2 Center
Tier 3 Center
For “Yo-Yo Ma”, April 28-May 1, please call group sales at 215.875.7695 or email groupsales@philorch.org. Group pricing is subject to change as ticket demand increases for concerts. Lock in your group rates today! *Groups will receive priority seating before individual tickets on sale if reserved by July 20, 2015. Special tour operator rates available. Please contact Group Sales for details. All artists, programs, and pricing is subject to change. Fax or mail orders should include a written request with performance date(s), seating location, number of tickets, credit card information, mailing address, and a daytime phone number. A $4.00 Kimmel Center Inc. Building and Renovation fee has been added to all ticket prices. A $20.00 processing fee will be applied to all subscriptions. A $6.00 per ticket fee will be applied to all single tickets ordered by phone or on the web through June 30. Effective May 1, the single ticket processing fee will increase to $6.50 per ticket for web and phone orders. Additional single tickets purchased at the Kimmel Center Box Office are subject to a $2.00 processing fee. Please note: All artists, dates, prices, and programs are subject to change. For select performances Conductor Circle or Front Orchestra seats will not be available for all of the performances in the series.
Prices are valid until July 30 2015, and are subject to change after that date.
Photos: Jessica Griffin, Chris Lee, Pete Checchia, Ryan Donnell, Jan Regan, Will Figg, Sean J. Kennedy, Giovanni Caccamo, Luke Ratray, Simon Pauly, Adriane White, Tara McMullen, Benjamin Ealovega, Marco Borggreve, Sussi Ahlburg, Simon Fowler, Patrick O’Leary, Barbara Luisi, Giorgia Bertazzi, Ozgur Albayrak, Tony Hauser, Werner Kmetitsch, Dario Acosta, Sheila Rock, Jeff Fusco, Mat Hennek/DG, Tom Crane, Kristin Hoebermann, Felix Broede, Kiyotaka Saito, Sorin Popa, SWR/Uwe Ditz, Sony Music Entertainment, Harald Hoffman, Evelyn Taylor, Outumuro, Todd Rosenberg
www.philorch.org
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Groups of 10 or more save up to 40%. Order Today! Call 215.875.7695 or visit www.philorch.org/groupsales
2015-16 Highlights include Mahler’s “Symphony of a Thousand” Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concertos No. 1 & 4 And more
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