The Annapolis Symphony is pleased to announce its 2016-2017 season, entitled “The Triumph of Music.” The season will open on September 30 and October 1 with a celebration before and after the pair of concerts featuring superstar violinist Midori.
The core of the season comprises five “Masterworks” concerts, each performed twice. This season, the Symphony’s 55th, is inspired by the art of Marc Chagall, in celebration of the 130thanniversary of his birth. Two of his works in particular inspired the choice of pieces: the ceiling Chagall painted at the Paris Opéra Garnier, and his murals at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, called “The Triumph of Music,” the source of the season’s title.
The Symphony is honored and delighted to welcome Midori as our opening night soloist. A brilliant virtuoso and a passionate music educator, Midori has founded several internationally-recognized programs which bring classical music education to children and youth, especially from communities with little or no access to the arts.
“This season is particularly exciting to me,” says Music Director José-Luis Novo, “not only for the outstanding level of guest artists we are bringing, but also for the fascinating creative process I have experienced by immersing myself in the inspiring artwork of Marc Chagall and his vibrant world of colors.”
“Midori exemplifies two things the Annapolis Symphony cares deeply about,” reflects Executive Director Dr. Patrick J. Nugent. “One is world-class musical excellence. The other is a commitment to enriching the lives of children and youth with the rich heritage of classical music–especially children who have little access to it. We are deeply honored that she has chosen to play with our orchestra.”
Other soloists include James Ehnes, violin, Noah Bendix-Balgley, violin, concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, our own Fatma Daglar, principal oboist of the Annapolis Symphony, and pianist Christopher Janwong McKiggan.
The season will feature the American premiere of a new work by Chinese composer Zhou Long, a result of José-Luis Novo’s guest conducting in Asia.
Before the opening of our Masterworks season, the public is invited to join us for the annual Pops in the Park concert at Quiet Waters Park, Sunday, September 4, 2016, at 5:30pm.
December brings the much loved Holiday Pops concert on December 16 at 8:00 pm, featuring the Sultans of String, providing“Energetic and exciting music from a band with talent to burn!” (Maverick Magazine, UK). Thrilling audiences with their genre-hopping passport of Celtic reels, flamenco, Gypsy-jazz, Arabic, Cuban, and South Asian rhythms, fiery violin dances with kinetic guitar, while bass and percussion lay down unstoppable grooves.
The Symphony’s annual Family Concerttakes place on May 13 at 2:00pm, featuring the internationally-renowned Classical Kidsprogram Beethoven Lives Upstairs.
Regular ticket prices for Masterworks range from $20-75. Student tickets are $10 in advance, $5 for student rush (1 hour before concerts begin).Prices for the Symphony’s least expensive seats have either been reduced or held steady, in order to make concerts more accessible to wider audiences.
All Masterworks concerts and Holiday Pops take place at 8:00pm at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.
Subscribers get the best seats at the most affordable prices. Subscriptions to the five concert Masterworks Series range in price from $100 to $325 and are available by calling the Box Office at 410-263-0907 or in person at Maryland Hall Room 204. Single tickets go on-sale August 1, 2016 with prices ranging from $20 to $75 and student tickets available for $10.
Season support for the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is generously provided by Elizabeth Richebourg Rea, Maryland State Arts Council, Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, the Friends of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, and a host of other corporate, foundation and individual donors.
2016-2017 MASTERWORKS SERIES
OPENING NIGHT!
September 30 & October 1, 2016 at 8:00pm
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
José-Luis Novo, conductor
Midori, violin
Beethoven
Concerto for Violin
Berlioz
Romeo and Juliet: Love Scene
Kodály
Háry János
Dance Mix
November 18 & 19, 2016 at 8:00pm
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
José-Luis Novo, conductor
Christopher Janwong McKiggan, piano
Dvořák
Scherzo Capriccioso
Zhou Long
Postures for Piano and Orchestra, American Premiere
Adam
Giselle: Grand Pas de Deux from Act II
Tchaikovsky
Swan Lake Suite
Prague, Paris, and Cologne
March 3 & 4, 2017 at 8:00pm
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
José-Luis Novo, conductor
Fatma Daglar, oboe
Mozart
Symphony No. 38 “Prague”
Martinů
Concerto for Oboe
Mozart
Magic Flute Overture
Schumann
Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish”
A Symphony of Colors
March 24 & 25, 2017 at 8:00pm
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
José-Luis Novo, conductor
James Ehnes, violin
March 26, 2017 at 3:00pm
The Music Center at Strathmore
Beethoven
Fidelio Overture
Barber
Concerto for Violin
Wagner
Prelude and Liebestod (Tristen & Isolde)
Stravinsky
Firebird Suite
Myths, Tzars, and Musical Giants
May 5 & 6, 2017 at 8:00pm
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
José-Luis Novo, conductor
Noah Bendix-Bagley, Violin
Gluck
Orpheus and Euridice: Dance of the Furies
Brahms
Concerto for Violin in D Major
Mussorgsky
Boris Godunov: Introduction and Polonaise
Prokofiev
Symphony No. 7
POPS IN THE PARK
September 4, 2016 at 5:30pm
Quiet Waters Park
José-Luis Novo, conductor
The annual Pops in the Park concert is one of the Symphony’s most popular programs. Presented free of charge on Sunday, September 4, 2016 at 5:30pm at Anne Arundel County’s Quiet Waters Park amphitheater, it is a highlight of Labor Day Weekend. This family-friendly concert is perfect for all ages and features pops favorites and light classics performed by the entire orchestra. Food concessions will be available at the park. Concertgoers are welcome to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and a picnic meal or snacks. In case of rain the concert will be rescheduled on Monday September 5, 2016 at 5:30pm.
HOLIDAY POPS
Sultans of String – Christmas Fiesta
December 16, 2016 at 8:00pm
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
José-Luis Novo, conductor
Celebrate the season with an adventurous musical trip around the world!
2015 JUNO Award nominees Sultans of Stringdeliver an exuberant performance featuring originals, world-music inspired classics, and seasonal favorites to warm your heart on a cold winter’s night. From fiery fiddle tunes to a Caribbean sleigh ride, this surprising and delightful holiday fiesta heats up when Sultans of String bring their signature sound to well-known gems such as a Gypsy-jazz inspired Django Christmas, a Rumba-Flamenca fueled Jingles Bells, and a Turkish twist on Greensleeves.
FAMILY CONCERT
May 13, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Classical Kids – Beethoven Lives Upstairs
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
José-Luis Novo, conductor
The critically acclaimed Classical Kids presents the world famous production of Beethoven Lives Upstairsfeaturing a lively exchange of letters between young Christoph and his uncle. Their subject is the “madman” who has moved into the upstairs apartment of Christoph’s Vienna home. Through a touching correspondence dramatically underscored with the composer’s most beautiful excerpts, Christoph comes to understand the genius of Beethoven, the beauty of his music, and the torment of his deafness.
Audiences are captivated by more than twenty-five excerpts of the master’s music, including the Moonlight Sonata, Fur Elise, and the great Fifth and Ninth Symphonies. The music is magically woven into the drama as two actors share their anecdotes and observations based on true incidents from the composer’s life.
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH The Symphony will again offer free Pre-Concert Lectures by Dr. Rachel Franklin at 6:45pm prior to each Classic Series concert. The talks feature a unique look at the repertoire to be performed at that evening’s concert. Annapolis Symphony education and outreach programs also include Educational Concerts, Music Van, Adopt-A-School, Symphony Study, and Ticket to Health.