The National Philharmonic 2009-1010 Season
Where: The Music Center at Strathmore, North Bethesda
Tickets, brochures and subscriptions: 301-493-9283; nationalphilharmonic.org
Like the final confirmation on an upcoming travel itinerary, great anticipation accompanies the completed repertoire of new symphony season. The National Philharmonic, in residence at the Music Center at Strathmore, is celebrating a 2009-10 season of great composers, many of whom were also virtuoso performers.
“What is really exciting about the upcoming season is the fabulous line-up of soloists,” said Piotr Gajewski, the Philharmonic’s Music Director and Conductor. “The legendary pianist Leon Fleisher makes a return appearance with Prokofiev’s ‘Concerto [No.4]’ for the left hand.”
Other booked soloists include pianist Misha Dichter, violinist Chee-Yun, clarinetist, Richard Stoltzman and cellist Zuill Bailey.
The National Philharmonic will kick off the season Oct. 3, 2009, with an all-Beethoven program that features the renowned pianist, Dichter performing the composer’s “Piano Concerto No. 2.” Beethoven’s “Choral Fantasy” beautifully highlights the 200-voice National Philharmonic Chorale.
“We are so excited about the [new] season due to the complete range of offerings that will be presented,” said Stan Engebretson, the Chorale’s Artistic Director. “From the Baroque classics of Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’ and Handel’s ‘Messiah’ to classic [and] romantic works of Hayden and Mendelssohn to a concert version of ‘Carmen,’ Brahms’ “German Requiem’ and Barber’s ‘Angus Dei,’ the offerings represent all of the major periods with truly great classics of the choral form.”
Solo vocalists will command the stage in the presence of opera star Kendall Gladen performing the sultry roll of Carmen and soprano Arianna Zukerman, a featured performer in Mahler’s “Symphony No. 4.”
“The 2009-2010 season lines up with some very important anniversaries, including the 200th birthdays of Chopin, Schumann and Mendelssohn,” Gajewski continued. “The last will be represented by the rarely performed “Symphony No. 2” subtitled “Hymn of Praise” which includes a chorus.”
In addition to performing for nearly 50,000 concert-goers a year, the Philharmonic continues its commitment to education and outreach by offering free concerts to every second and fifth grade student in Montgomery County Public Schools, master classes with renowned guest soloists and summer string and choral programs. In a family-friendly approach to concert-going, all youth ages 7 to 17 attend National Philharmonic concerts free of charge through the unique “ALL KIDS, ALL FREE, ALL THE TIME” program.
