Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014
Contact: Jessica Di Santo – (317) 229-7082
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra announces 2014-2015 season
In his fourth season with the ISO, Music Director Krzysztof Urbański plans several large symphonic works – Mahler’s Fifth, an all-Russian festival concluding with Shostakovich’s “Leningrad” Symphony and Beethoven’s Ninth with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir
Former ISO Music Directors Raymond Leppard and Mario Venzago make return appearances
ISO Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly pays a symphonic tribute to the legendary Marvin Hamlisch, the Beatles and Broadway’s leading men and welcomes instrumentalist Kenny G and Broadway star Megan Hilty for her ISO debut
ISO’s Opening Night Gala includes orchestral excerpts from Carmen and Beethoven’s first piano concerto with renowned musician Jeremy Denk
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra today announced its Lilly Classical Series and Printing Partners Pops Series subscription concerts for 2014-2015 season – the ISO’s 85th season and its 30th year performing in the historic Hilbert Circle Theatre.
2014-15 marks Krzysztof Urbański’s fourth season with the ISO as Music Director. Urbański’s artistic vision for 2014-15 centers around powerful, large-scale symphonic works by Brahms, Beethoven and Mahler. In addition, the season will include a multi-week themed festival of music and culture. Through music, art and educational programs, “Fantasy, Fate and War: A Midwinter Russian Festival” will enlighten the community on the culture of Russia and will focus on major and lesser-known works by Russian composers Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev. “Fantasy, Fate and War” concludes with the ISO’s first-ever performance of Shostakovich’s monumental Seventh Symphony, the “Leningrad.”
“I’ve programmed the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s classical season with music that inspires me personally and challenges me as a conductor,” said Urbański. “I love the sounds of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially the stories and events in history told through works by Russian composers and the power portrayed in late-Romantic works. It’s gratifying to present a season of music that the Orchestra loves to play and audiences will love to hear.”
The 2014-15 season will include former ISO Music Directors Raymond Leppard and Mario Venzago returning to the podium for performances of works by Elgar and Beethoven’s “Eroica,” respectively. In addition, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will premiere eight works on the season, including the world premiere of Principal Trombone Jim Beckel’s Brass Concerto.
Another highlight of the season will be the ISO’s first performance of Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale, with a libretto by famed author and Indianapolis native Kurt Vonnegut.
Lilly Classical Series – Highlights
- On Sept. 14, Music Director Krzysztof Urbański kicks off the 2014-2015 season during Opening Night Gala with excerpts from Bizet’s Carmen (Suites 1 and 2) and Beethoven’s first piano concerto with renowned pianist Jeremy Denk.
- Maestro Urbański conducts symphonic masterpieces: Brahms’ Symphony No. 4, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7 (“Leningrad”), Beethoven’s Symphony Nos. 8 and 9 and Piano Concerto No. 3 and Mahler’s Symphony No. 5.
- Guest conductors include ISO debuts of Matthew Halls, Christopher Altstaedt, Cristian Macelaru and Han-Na Chang, who serves as Principal Guest Conductor in Trondheim alongside Maestro Urbański as Chief Conductor. Returning to the ISO podium are esteemed conductors Andrey Boreyko, Nicholas McGegan, Miguel-Harth Bedoya, Jeffrey Kahane and Jun Märkl.
- Guest artists making debuts with the ISO are pianists Alice Sara Ott and Vadym Kholodenko, winner of the 2013 Van Cliburn Competition, and violinist Arabella Steinbacher. Renowned artists returning to center stage include pianists Shai Wosner and Kirill Gerstein; violinists Augustin Hadelich, Philippe Quint and Zach De Pue (ISO Concertmaster); and soprano Twyla Robinson.
- Other significant works performed this season include Mozart’s Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 (“Reformation”) and the ISO premiere of Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale with libretto written by Kurt Vonnegut.
Printing Partners Pops Series
In the Printing Partners Pops Series, Maestro Everly has programmed a season with a nod to the leading men – the artists, composers, singers, songwriters, actors and creators – who left a significant mark on American music and film in the 20th century. Highlights include:
- The Pops Series opens with the ever-popular Classical Mystery Tour paying tribute to the Beatles and the group’s 50th anniversary of its Indianapolis concert in 1964.
- Two weeks later, the unparalleled career of the late Marvin Hamlisch – longtime friend of Everly and the ISO – and his legendary songbook is celebrated with three performances of “A Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch.”
- Everly continues his nod to the Great White Way in March, with the signature songs from Broadway’s leading men in productions such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Guys and Dolls and West Side Story.
- Back by popular demand, world-renowned saxophonist Kenny G returns to the Hilbert Circle Theatre stage for two performances with the ISO and performs the numerous hits that have made him the top-selling instrumentalist in history.
- For Valentine’s weekend, the Hilbert Circle Theatre returns to its movie palace roots with the presentation of Casablanca, with full orchestra accompaniment conducted by Everly.
- Guest conductors for the Pops Series include Michael Krajewski leading concerts featuring the music of Simon & Garfunkel and New York Pops Music Director Steven Reineke bringing the music of the “Mad Men” era.
- Last but not least, the spotlight is turned to the leading lady when Everly welcomes singer Megan Hilty, whose credits include NBC’s Smash and Broadway’s Wicked and 9 to 5: The Musical. Led by Everly, the ISO and Hilty will be performing many of her songs from her solo album, It Happens All the Time, as well as many Broadway favorites and contemporary hits.
symFUNy Sundays Series presented by Dow AgroSciences
Children can wiggle and giggle in their seats during the Orchestra’s symFUNy Sundays presented by Dow AgroSciences concert series, which are Sunday matinee performances that feature engaging music and interactive entertainment at family-friendly prices. During symFUNy Sundays, families are encouraged to take part in pre-concert activities in the lobby and are invited to meet the artists after the performance. The programs are approximately one hour in length, with no intermission and are designed especially with the young listener in mind.
This season’s programs will include Life and Times of Beethoven on Nov. 9; a performance of Yuletide Celebration on Dec. 7; a celebration of the worldly nature of music through the instruments and artists in The Worlds of Sound and Space on March 15; and Saint-Saëns’ imaginative and colorful Carnival of the Animals on Apr. 19.
ISO Subscriptions – Free Concerts with Purchase
This season, the ISO is making subscriptions more valuable than ever before for all series. Free concerts will be given for these Lilly Classical Series packages: six free concerts with the 18-concert package; four free concerts for the 14-concert package and one free concert for the eight-concert package.
For the Printing Partners Pops Series, patrons who subscribe to the eight-concert series receive one free concert. For every adult subscription purchased to symFUNy Sundays, a child subscription is free.
ISO Subscriptions – On Sale Feb. 17
Patrons may renew current subscriptions or become a new subscriber beginning at 10 a.m., Monday, Feb. 17, by visiting the ISO’s website at www.IndianapolisSymphony.org, by phone at (317) 639-4300, by mail or in person at the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office. The deadline for subscription renewals is Friday, April 11.
Among many of the benefits of becoming an ISO subscriber is advance ticket buying opportunities for and discounts to special events such as Opening Night Gala and the annual holiday tradition, Yuletide Celebration, which last year sold out well in advance of opening night.
For more information about all Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra presentations, call the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office at (317) 639-4300. Outside Indianapolis, call toll free (800) 366-8457.
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INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
2014-2015 SEASON CALENDAR – LISTED BY SERIES
All concerts at Hilbert Circle Theatre unless otherwise noted
OPENING NIGHT GALA
Opening Night Gala
Sunday, Sept. 14, 6 p.m.
Krzysztof Urbański, Conductor
Jeremy Denk, Piano
J. STRAUSS Overture to Die Fledermaus
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 1
BIZET Carmen (Excerpts from Suites 1 and 2)
LILLY CLASSICAL SERIES
KEYBANK COFFEE CLASSICAL SERIES*
Urbański Conducts Brahms 4
Thursday, September 25, 11 a.m.*
Saturday, September 27, 5:30 p.m.
Krzysztof Urbański, Conductor
Shai Wosner, Piano
WEBERN Passacaglia, Op. 1
MOZART Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466
BRAHMS Symphony No. 4
Mozart’s Requiem
Friday, October 10, 8 p.m.
Saturday, October 11, 5:30 p.m.
Matthew Halls, Conductor [ISO debut]
Vocal Quartet, TBA
Indianapolis Symphonic Choir
MESSIAEN L’Ascension: 4 méditations symphoniques [ISO premiere]
MOZART Requiem, K. 626
Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto
Thursday, October 16, 11 a.m.*
Friday, October 17, 8 p.m.
Saturday, October 18, 8 p.m.
Andrey Boreyko, Conductor
Kirill Gerstein, Piano
HILLBORG King Tide [ISO premiere]
RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2
All Mozart
Thursday, October 30, 11 a.m.*
Friday, October 31, 8 p.m.
Nicolas McGegan, Conductor
Augustin Hadelich, Violin
MOZART Chaconne and Pas seul from Idomeneo, K. 486 [ISO premiere]
MOZART Violin Concerto No. 4, K. 218
MOZART Rondo from Serenade No. 7, K. 250 (“Haffner”)
MOZART Symphony No. 36, K. 425 (“Linz”)
Venzago Conducts Beethoven’s “Eroica”
Thursday, November 20, 11 a.m.*
Friday, November 21, 8 p.m.
Mario Venzago, Conductor
Dame Evelyn Glennie, Percussion
SIBELIUS Finlandia, Op.26
ANDERS KOPPEL Concerto for Aluphone and Orchestra [US premiere)
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3 in E-flat (“Eroica”)
Scheherazade
Friday, January 23, 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 24, 8 p.m.
Krzysztof Urbański, Conductor
Philippe Quint, Violin
PROKOFIEV Russian Overture [ISO premiere]
KHACHATURIAN Violin Concerto
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Scheherazade
Tchaikovsky 5
Thursday, January 29, 11 a.m.*
Friday, January 30, 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 31, 5:30 p.m.
Han-Na Chang, Conductor [ISO debut]
Vadym Kholodenkho, Piano [ISO debut]
PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 3
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 5
Urbański conducts Shostakovich 7
Friday, February 6, 8 p.m.
Krzysztof Urbański, Conductor
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 7 (“Leningrad”) [ISO premiere]
Ravel & Strauss
Friday, February 20, 8 p.m.
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Conductor
Twyla Robinson, Soprano
RAVEL Rapsodie espagnole
R. STRAUSS Various Lieder
RAVEL Shéhérazade
R. STRAUSS Suite from Der Rosenkavalier
Copland & Gershwin
Thursday, February 26, 11 a.m.*
Friday, February 27, 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 28, 5:30 p.m.
Jeffrey Kahane, Conductor & Piano
JOHN ADAMS Lollapalooza
COPLAND Appalachian Spring (Ballet)
GERSHWIN Concerto in F
Leppard conducts Elgar
Friday, March 13, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 14, 8 p.m.
Raymond Leppard, Conductor
MENDELSSOHN Overture to Ruy Blas
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 7
ELGAR Excerpts from Wand of Youth
ELGAR Dream Children
ELGAR Cockaigne (In London Town)
Zach De Pue plays Barber
Thursday, March 19, 11 a.m.*
Saturday, March 21, 8 p.m.
Krzysztof Urbański, Conductor
Zach De Pue, Violin
JAMES BECKEL World Premiere Brass Concerto [ISO commission]
BARBER Violin Concerto
DVOŘÁK Slavonic Dances, Op. 46 (complete)
All Beethoven
Friday, April 10, 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 11, 5:30 p.m.
Krzysztof Urbański, Conductor
Alice Sara Ott, Piano [ISO debut]
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 8, Op. 93
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
BEETHOVEN Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b
Mendelssohn’s Reformation
Saturday, April 18, 8 p.m.
Christopher Altstaedt, Conductor [ISO debut]
TBA, ISO Violins
TBA Marilyn K. Glick Young Composition Competition Winner [ISO premiere]
WAGNER Prelude to Act III and Good Friday Spell from Parsifal
BACH Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 5 (“Reformation”)
Symphonie fantastique
Thursday, May 7, 11 a.m.*
Friday, May 8, 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 9, 5:30 p.m.
Jun Märkl, Conductor
Arabella Steinbacher, Violin [ISO debut]
MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14
The Soldier’s Tale – Vonnegut Style!
Friday, May 15, 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 16, 8 p.m.
Cristian Macelaru, Conductor [ISO debut]
LISZT Mephisto Waltz No. 1
STRAVINSKY/VONNEGUT The Soldier’s Tale [ISO premiere]
Urbanski conducts Mahler 5
Thursday, June 4, 11 a.m.*
Saturday, June 6, 5:30 p.m.
Krzysztof Urbański, Conductor
MAHLER Symphony No. 5 in C# minor
Beethoven’s Ninth
Friday, June 12, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 13, 5:30 p.m.
Krzysztof Urbański, Conductor
Indianapolis Symphonic Choir
Vocal Quartet, TBA
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9, Op. 125 (“Choral”)
PRINTING PARTNERS POPS SERIES and COFFEE POPS SERIES*
Classical Mystery Tour: 50 Years of the Beatles
Friday, October 3, 11 a.m.*
Friday, October 3, 8 p.m.
Saturday, October 4, 8 p.m.
Jack Everly, Conductor
On September 4, 1964, the Beatles performed in front of 30,000 screaming fans at the Indiana State Fair Coliseum. Fifty years later, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Classical Mystery Tour pay tribute to the “Fab Four.”
A Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch
Friday, October 24, 11 a.m.*
Friday, October 24, 8 p.m.
Saturday, October 25, 8 p.m.
Jack Everly, Conductor
Marvin Hamlisch had an unparalleled musical career, as he won every major award (three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony, three Golden Globes and a Pulitzer) and garnered a fan base of millions, across generations. Jack Everly and the ISO pay tribute to their friend – who made many appearances in Indianapolis – with a special concert weekend of Hamlisch’s greatest hits.
An Evening with Megan Hilty
Friday, November 7, 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 8, 8 p.m.
Jack Everly, Conductor
From her leading roles in NBC’s Smash and Broadway’s Wicked and 9 to 5: The Musical, Megan Hilty is one of the fastest rising stars in the entertainment world. See her perform many of her songs from her solo album, It Happens All the Time, as well as Broadway favorites and contemporary hits with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel
Friday, January 16, 11 a.m.*
Friday, January 16, 8 p.m.
Friday, January 17, 8 p.m.
Michael Krajewski, Conductor
A.J. Swearingen, Vocalist
Jonathan Beedle, Vocalist
Re-live Simon & Garfunkel’s glory days in music with the ISO and guest artists A.J. Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle.
Casablanca Film + Live Orchestra
Friday, February 13, 11 a.m.*
Friday, February 14, 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 14, 8 p.m.
Jack Everly, Conductor
Leading Men of Broadway
Friday, March 6, 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 7, 8 p.m.
Jack Everly, Conductor
Broadway’s finest perform songs from Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, Guys and Dolls, West Side Story and other classics made famous by talented, leading men.
Kenny G with the ISO
Friday, May 1, 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 2, 8 p.m.
Jack Everly, Conductor
With more than 75 million albums sold worldwide, saxophonist and smooth jazz sensation Kenny G is the top-selling instrumentalist in history.
The Cocktail Hour: Music of the Mad Men Era
Friday, May 29, 11 a.m.*
Friday, May 29, 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 30, 8 p.m.
Steven Reineke, Conductor
New York Pops Music Director Steven Reineke leads the top 40s of the early 60s – music of the Mad Men era.
symFUNy Sundays PRESENTED BY DOW AGROSCIENCES
Life and Times of Beethoven
Sunday, November 9, 3 p.m.
TBA, Conductor
Michael Boudewyns, Narrator
Boudewyns brings a vaudeville-inspired approach to the symphony, accompanying Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony with a story of this iconic composer, told through physical performance and creative narration that strikes a chord with young symphony fans.
Yuletide Celebration
Sunday, December 7, 2 p.m.
Jack Everly, Conductor
The Worlds of Sound and Space
Sunday, March 15, 3 p.m.
TBA, Conductor
Explore the worldly (and other-worldly) nature of music through the instruments and artists of the Orchestra. Be transformed into the exquisite universe of sound!
Carnival of the Animals!
Sunday, April 19, 3 p.m.
TBA, Conductor
Imaginations run wild when the ISO brings characters of Saint-Saëns’ colorful Carnival of the Animals to life.
