Women pioneers in music, along with a 150th birthday commemorative, are the twin focuses of celebration woven into the repertoire of the National Philharmonic’s newly released 2011-2012 concert season. In residence at the Music Center at Strathmore, the Philharmonic’s music director, Maestro Piotr Gajewski, is quite happy with the season lineup – one that he essentially puts together on his own, while joking, “The buck stops with me.”
Like any great season opener, the Philharmonic’s begins with a musical bang in the presentation of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (Chorale) and John Corigliano’s “Red Violin Concerto” with violinist Michael Ludwig. At the podium for this event is Buffalo Philharmonic’s music director, JoAnn Falletta.
“Falletta is arguably the most successful of women conductors in the world,” Gajewski said. “We are very pleased she will be guest conducting our opening concert.”
But where women’s musical achievements are concerned, the buck hardly stops there. The brilliant young violinist Sarah Chang appears with the Philharmonic performing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto.
“[Chang] is one of those absolutely top-tier artists; of such stature she only plays in the Washington area once a season,” Gajewski continued. “[And] she is performing with us!”
The Philharmonic also dedicates an entire program to women in Maryland’s legal profession, with money raised to support the nonprofit organization Finding Justice in its efforts to document women’s involvement in the judiciary system. Featured works that evening include Joan Tower’s “Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman” and Boston area composer Amy Beach’s Grand Mass in E-flat Major. This celebration will be hosted by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
From the law to a special introduction, the Philharmonic presents its assistant conductor, Victoria Gau, (who has been extremely popular with her pre-concert lectures and has garnered quite a following of concertgoers) in her National Philharmonic debut conducting the Mozart Mass in spring 2012.
An eagerly anticipated 150th birthday festival honors composer Claude Debussy with performances of his most popular works including “La Mer,” “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun” and “Rhapsody for Clarinet and Orchestra,” featuring clarinetist Richard Stoltzman.
Chamber programs in the Mansion, as well as cello suites, Chopin piano recitals by Brian Ganz and the winner (yet to be determined) of the XIV International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition, are yet more of the jewels in the Philharmonic’s treasure chest for 2011-2012.
Subscribers are now invited to build their own custom series packages and receive discounts of 15 to 30 percent. Single ticket sales begin August 2011.
Editor’s note: Complete season listings and subscription information is available at nationalphilharmonic.org or by calling 301-581-5100.
