EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra announced its 2010-11 season, which promises an exciting, diverse repertoire and renowned guest artists – all notable soloists who perform with major orchestras.
Leon Gregorian, music director and conductor of MSU orchestras, said the 100-member ensemble group will give high quality performances.
“When people come and hear this orchestra play,” Gregorian said, “if they close their eyes, they will not know that young people are playing. We don’t play miniatures. We play the same repertoire that the big orchestras in Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and Boston play. We may have more rehearsals, but that’s the advantage of being a first-class university ensemble. We certainly have the talent.”
The diverse repertoire includes classics by Beethoven, Debussy, Bartok, Brahms and Saint-Saëns as well as two world premiere concertos.
MSU Symphony Orchestra lineup includes:
Concert 1:
8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 25, Wharton Center for the Performing Arts.
The MSU Symphony Orchestra will perform Rossini’s “William Tell Overture” and Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 5.”
Joining the orchestra for Prokofiev’s “Piano Concerto No. 2,” is MSU professor emeritus of piano, Ralph Votapek.
Concert 2:
8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 22, Wharton Center for the Performing Arts.
Gregorian will conduct Beethoven’s “Leonore Overture No. 3,” and Ravel’s arrangement of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.”
Guest artist Roberto Diaz, formerly the principal violist of the Philadelphia Orchestra and current president of Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, will join the orchestra.
Concert 3:
8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 13, venue TBA.
The MSU Symphony Orchestra will perform “Carnival Overture” by Dvořák and Brahms’ “Symphony No. 4” under the direction of Gregorian.
In celebration of the 200th anniversary of Schumann’s birth, guest artist Suren Bagratuni, cellist and chairperson of the string area at the College of Music, will perform one of his favorite concertos with the orchestra – Schumann’s “Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra.”
Concert 4:
8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 5, Wharton Center for Performing Arts
Raphael Jimenez will conduct pieces covering 20th century music, folk-inspired works and Russian ballet. Repertoire includes: Debussy’s “Prélude à L’après – midi d’un faune,” Bartok’s “Concerto for Two Pianos, Percussion and Orchestra” and The 1947 version of “Petrushka” by Stravinsky.
Concert 5:
8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 26, Wharton Center for the Performing Arts.
The orchestra will perform Richard Strauss’ “Festliches Präludium” and “Symphony No. 3” (“The Organ Symphony”) by Saint-Saëns under Gregorian.
The orchestra will also present a world premiere, titled, “Double Concerto” by College of Music alumnus William Brohn. Guest artists Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr, clarinet and Walter Verdehr, violin will be the featured performers in this new piece with a Spanish flavor.
Tickets for each of the previously listed concerts are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors; they can be purchased at the door 30 minutes before the event or at 102 Music Building during business hours. Admission is free for students with ID and anyone under 18 years of age.
Other events featuring the MSU Symphony Orchestra:
MSU Opera Theatre and Symphony Orchestra presents “La Finta Giardiniera” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Friday-Sunday, Nov. 19-21.
8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Fairchild Theatre.
“La Finta Giardiniera” was written by Mozart at age 18 and has only recently found a place in the standard operatic repertoire. The plot involves disguised countesses, lusty mayors, frustrated servants and long-lost lovers, all surrounded by Mozart’s confectionary music. “La Finta Giardiniera” will be conducted by Raphael Jimenez and directed by Melanie Helton. A preview lecture will be held 45 minutes before each performance. Reserved seating only.
Tickets: $20, $18, $10, available from the Wharton Center Box Office only. (517) 432-2000, (800) WHARTON or visit www.whartoncenter.com
MSU’s Home for the Holidays
8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, Wharton Center for the Performing Arts.
A festive pops concert featuring holiday favorites and surprises and showcasing the talents of MSU’s Symphony Orchestra, State Singers, Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs and the MSU Children’s Choir.
Tickets: $20, $18, $10, available from the Wharton Center Box Office only. (517) 432-2000, (800) WHARTON or visit www.whartoncenter.com
MSU Opera Theatre and Symphony Orchestra presents “Grapes of Wrath” by Ricky Ian Gordon
Friday-Sunday, April 1-3
8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at MSU’s Concert Auditorium.
“The Grapes of Wrath” is Ricky Ian Gordon’s monumental setting of John Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1939 novel of the Dust Bowl. The opera tells the story of the Joad Family, uprooted from its farm in Oklahoma and forced to journey to California in search of work. “Grapes of Wrath” will be conducted by Raphael Jimenez and directed by Melanie Helton. A preview lecture will be held 45 minutes before each performance. Reserved seating only.
Tickets: $20, $18, $10, available from the Wharton Center Box Office only. (517) 432-2000, (800) WHARTON or visit www.whartoncenter.com
2011 Honors Concert
7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 6, Wharton Center for the Performing Arts.
The annual program features solo competition winners selected by nationally recognized musicians. Being selected for this honor is the highest performance achievement for College of Music students.
Tickets for each of the previously listed concerts are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors; they can be purchased at the door 30 minutes before the event or at 102 Music Building during business hours. Admission is free for students with ID and anyone under 18 years of age.
Verdi’s “Requiem”
8 p.m., Saturday, April 30, Wharton Center for the Performing Arts
Giuseppe Verdi’s dramatic “Requiem” considers the meaning of life and death through passages of delicate beauty and urgent force. “Requiem” will be performed by the MSU Symphony Orchestra, University Chorale, State Singers, Choral Union, and soloists Melanie Helton, soprano, Molly Fillmore, mezzo-soprano, Richard Fracker, tenor, and Rod Nelman, bass.
Tickets: $20, $18, $10, available from the Wharton Center Box Office only. (517) 432-2000, (800) WHARTON or visit www.whartoncenter.com
###