The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) kicks off 2019 with a wide range of classical repertoire, including several premiere performances, at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore and The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD.
The BSO begins 2019 with Leon Fleisher Performs Mozart, a program led by guest conductor Peter Oundjian in concerts January 4-6. Pianist Leon Fleisher, a recipient of the 2007 Kennedy Center Honors, performs Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 12 in A Major. Oundjian then leads the BSO in Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 in D Major.
Music Director Marin Alsop leads BSO premiere performances of Turangalîla-symphonie, a masterwork of the 20th century by French composer Olivier Messiaen. On January 10 and 13, Alsop and the BSO perform the work in its entirety. Featuring an orchestra of over 100 musicians, Turangalîla-symphonie also includes a solo piano part, played by Jean-Yves Thibaudet, and the electronic instrument known as the ondes Martenot, played by Nathalie Forget.
On January 11 and 12, Alsop delves into Turangalîla-symphonie with Off the Cuff presentations that explore the history behind the piece. Using musical excerpts from the symphony in demonstration, Alsop leads this 60-minute concert to provide deeper insight into the work and its use of the solo piano and distinctive ondes Martenot. An audience Q&A with Alsop follows the performance. The Off the Cuff concert at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on January 12 also includes a post-performance party with live entertainment, food and drink specials.
Principal Guest Conductor Markus Stenz leads his first BSO concerts of the 2018-19 season with Sibelius Violin Concerto on January 19 and 20. Stenz and the BSO perform Siegfried Idyll, a work based on one of the operas in Wagner’s “Ring” Cycle that he created as a birthday gift for his wife, and Haydn’s final symphony, known as the “London.” Latvian violinist Baiba Skride performs Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D Minor.
Alsop and the BSO give the U.S. premiere of Helen Grime’s Percussion Concerto with Scottish percussionist Colin Currie on January 31 and February 1 and 2. This program also includes Brahms’ Variations on a Theme by Haydn and two works by Respighi: Pines of Rome and Brazilian Impressions.
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PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Leon Fleisher Performs Mozart
Fri, Jan 4, 8 pm – Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Sat, Jan 5, 8 pm – Music Center at Strathmore
Sun, Jan 6, 3 pm – Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
The BSO celebrates the great Leon Fleisher in an extraordinary concert. Highlighting the program is Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 12, a specialty of Fleisher’s. Led by conductor Peter Oundjian, Brahms’ Second Symphony, full of beautiful melodies and one of the most exuberantly joyful finales, concludes the program.
| Peter Oundjian, conductorLeon Fleisher, piano | MOZART Piano Concerto No. 12 in A MajorBRAHMS Symphony No. 2 in D Major |
Turangalîla-symphonie
Thu, Jan 10, 8 pm – Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Sun, Jan 13, 3 pm – Music Center at Strathmore
Messiaen’s mind-blowing Turangalîla-symphonie takes listeners on a journey of extreme dynamic contrasts, from sensuous whispers to almost deafening force. Marin Alsop conducts more than 100 musicians in this rarely-heard masterwork, featuring the eerie keyboard instrument ondes Martenot with its otherworldly sci-fi sounds, as well as a dazzling performance by world-renowned pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet.
| Marin Alsop, conductor | MESSIAEN Turangalîla-symphonie |
Off the Cuff: Turangalîla-symphonie
Fri, Jan 11, 8:15 pm – Music Center at Strathmore
Sat, Jan 12, 7 pm – Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Experience one of the most innovative works of the 20th century. The title comes from two Sanskrit words: “turanga” means movement and rhythm, and “Lîla” refers to a cosmic game. Renowned pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet joins Marin Alsop in a discussion and performance of Messiaen’s great masterwork for over 100 musicians, featuring the eerie keyboard ondes Martenot with its otherworldly sci-fi sounds.
This 60-minute Off the Cuff concert provides more insight into a single work, followed by a question-and-answer session. On Saturday, January 11, join us in the lobby of the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall for an after-party featuring live entertainment, food and drink specials.
| Marin Alsop, conductor | MESSIAEN Turangalîla-symphonie |
Sibelius Violin Concerto
Sat, Jan 19, 8 pm – Music Center at Strathmore
Sun, Jan 20, 3 pm – Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Principal Guest Conductor Markus Stenz conducts an eclectic program including the beautiful Siegfried Idyll that Richard Wagner wrote for his wife, Cosima. In response to failing his violin audition with the Vienna Philharmonic, Sibelius composed one of the most technically challenging violin concertos ever written, performed here by Latvian violinist Baiba Skride. Haydn’s “London” Symphony is the composer’s most regal symphony, filled with the sounds of trumpets and timpani.
| Markus Stenz, conductorBaiba Skride, violin | WAGNER Siegfried IdyllSIBELIUS Violin Concerto in D MinorHAYDN Symphony No. 104 in D Major, “London” |
Respighi Pines of Rome
Thu, Jan 31, 8 pm – Music Center at Strathmore
Fri, Feb 1, 8 pm – Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Sat, Feb 2, 8 pm – Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Respighi’s Pines of Rome and the composer’s lesser-known but infectiously brilliant gem, Brazilian Impressions, form the centerpiece of this program. Percussionist Colin Currie returns with a new concerto by Scottish composer Helen Grime. This program also features Brahms’ Variations on a Theme by Haydn.
| Marin Alsop, conductorColin Currie, percussion | BRAHMS Variations on a Theme by HaydnHELEN GRIME Percussion ConcertoRESPIGHI Brazilian ImpressionsRESPIGHI Pines of Rome |
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VENUE INFORMATION
Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
1212 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
The Music Center at Strathmore
5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD 20852
TICKETS
Tickets on sale through the BSO Ticket Office at 410.783.8000 or BSOmusic.org. For press comps, additional artist bios or media materials, please contact the PR Department at [email protected].
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