Welcome to a season of power, - Asheville Symphony...

11.19.2016 12.31.2016 02.11.2017 03.10-19.2017 Plus

Rhapsody in Blue

Joyous New Year’s Eve

Music from Fantasia

AshevilleAmadeus

Tchaikovskygoes wall-to-wall

HalloweenA frightfully good time

Schumann’sRhenish Symphony

RomanceChopin and Debussy

The TitanMahler shakes Wolfe

Gershwin’s jazz-age classic with Conrad Tao at the piano

Ring in 2017 with Ludwig’s big Number Nine

All your favorites from Disney’s trippy masterpiece

Mozart and Midori move the mountains

Welcome to a season of power, beauty, scope and exuberance. And personal favorites.

Daniel Meyer

I’m pleased to introduce a season of musical and artistic favorites. As much as I love to revisit a work I admire, I also enjoy the

challenge of a work that is new to me, new to the musicians, new to you, or new to us all. For me, music-making is an adventure through the enormous challenges

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Deepen Your ConnectionSymphony Talks and Pre-Concert LecturesHear directly from Maestro Meyer and other experts as they preview each concert. Don’t miss special appearances by concert soloists.

Interactive Program NotesRead more about the composers and pieces on the program, with interactive sound clips to bring home the music, available on each concert’s web page at ashevillesymphony.org.

E-NewslettersSubscribe to the ASO’s e-newsletters for program notices, in-depth details about soloists and concert programs, information about upcoming events, and pre-concert parking alerts. Registration available via the ASO website.

Irene StollPresident, Board of Directors

Contact:828.254.7046

ashevillesymphony.org

Mail:P.O. Box 2852

Asheville, NC 28802

Visit:87 Haywood St.

Asheville, NC 28801

Connect:facebook.com/asheville.symphony

twitter.com/avlsymphony Programs and artists subject to change.

(continued)composers present to us with each new work. An intricately detailed score by Gustav Mahler exists alongside a work by Haydn where little more than piano or forte is proscribed. Therein lies the

adventure. Great music is an art that needs new life blown through its pages if it is to transform our lives today. As the conductor of the Asheville Symphony, it has been my honor to grapple with both

the practical and existential questions posed by our favorite composers. It has been a great joy that you and our talented musicians have been willing to travel alongside me and savor the journey!

Great music is an art that needs new life blown through its pages if it is to transform our lives today.

To celebrate our journey together, I want to share some of the music that has meant the most to me.

David WhitehillExecutive Director

Daniel MeyerMusic Director

1Tchaikovsky Suite from Sleeping BeautyTchaikovsky Francesca da RiminiTchaikovsky Violin Concerto

September 17, 2016

Thomas WolfeAuditorium

8 p.m.

Jennifer KohViolinNamed 2016 Musician of the Year by Musical America, Ms. Koh has already taken bows with the Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and Munich Philharmonic. Tonight she returns to Asheville to perform the Violin Concerto in D.

My Lifetime Pursuit of the Russian Master

2016-2017 Season 3

Our season opens with a celebration of Tchaikovsky, a composer I have admired my entire life. Tchaikovsky brought his passion to every piece of music he wrote, and we will sample his genius in one glorious evening. You cannot help but be swept away by the romance of the timeless tale of Sleeping Beauty. Francesca da Rimini is a powerful tone poem from Dante’s Inferno. We end the evening with a favorite violin concerto, performed by one of America’s finest young soloists.

D.M.

2Saint-Saëns Danse MacabreSchmitt La Tragédie de SaloméBrahms Concerto for Violin and Cello

October 22, 2016


8 p.m.

Alistair MacRae CelloAlistair MacRae is principal cello of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra. His eclectic collaborations have found him with Paul Taylor Dance Company, the Westminster Choir, tap dancer Savion Glover, and the rock band The Scorpions.

A Frighteningly DiverseHalloween Celebration October’s concert opens with two works perfect for Halloween. Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre is perfectly named — a waltz from beyond the grave! In another musical fright, Florent Schmitt created a wildly lush score to the biblical story of Salome’s insistence on the beheading of John the Baptist. An unsung opera, Schmitt’s piece teems with aural imagery that still shocks the ear today. The concert finishes with Brahms, as our own concertmaster Jason Posnock and Alistair MacRae join forces on the brilliant Double.

D.M.


Jason Posnock ViolinJason Posnock has been concertmaster with the Asheville Symphony since 2007. He has performed regularly in such prominent American ensembles as the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Copland Our TownCopland Billy the KidDiamond Symphony No. 4Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue

November 19, 2016


8 p.m.

Conrad TaoPianoConrad Tao has been dubbed a musician of “probing intellect and open-hearted vision” by The New York Times. He has been named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts and was awarded the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant.

Gershwin’s Towering American Masterpiece

2016-2017 Season 5

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I love to champion American music, and here’s a sample of the finest. Copland’s music from Our Town shows how poignantly he was able to create an American sound. His Billy the Kid bristles with Western drama, complete with a gun fight. Though steeped in European musical forms, David Diamond puts a decidedly American stamp on his Symphony No. 4. And to finish, Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue, jazz-tinged and overflowing with creativity, a perfect document of Gershwin’s playing and composing virtuosity.

D.M.

Brahms Variations on a Theme of Joseph HaydnHaydn Cello Concerto in CSchumann Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish”

January 14, 2017


8 p.m.

Cicely ParnasCelloAmerican cellist Cicely Parnas, praised for her “velvety sound, artic-ulate passagework and keen imagination” (The New York Times), attended the Cleveland Institute of Music, and made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2012.

An Evening of German Delights

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Each season I choose a concert to explore my favorite Germanic composers, and with Brahms’ inspired Haydn Variations, you can hear how he wanted to create music of deep intellectual rigor and intense emotional experience. Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C is as joyous as it is virtuosic. Schumann’s ‘Rhenish’ Symphony, sweeps you along the famed German waterway in an evocative musical journey, complete with its famous sonic representation of Cologne’s great cathedral.

D.M.


Walt Disney’s exploration of classical music, paired with the genius of his illustrators, made for one of the most memorable films of the twentieth century. (Who can forget that silhouette of the great Leopold Stokowski?) A sequel was released in 2000, and I have chosen music from both films to focus on composers who paint pictures with their evocative scores. Highlights include the wry Concerto No. 2 by Shostakovich, and Stravinsky’s high-definition music from The Firebird, premiered in Paris in the early twentieth century.

D.M.

Mussorgsky Night on Bald MountainShostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2Ponchielli Dance of the Hours from La GiocondaStravinsky Suite from The Firebird

February 11, 2017


8 p.m.

InonBarnatanPianoInon Barnatan has been named the New York Philharmonic’s first Artist-in-Association, a major three-season appointment. This past season he made debuts with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic and the Orchestre National de France.

Disney’s Amazing Artistic Fusion

Music from

2016-2017 Season 7

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December 31, 2016 8 p.m.

FeaturingDanielle Pastin, sopranoKirstin Chavez, mezzo-soprano Rolando Sanz, tenorSteven Condy, bass

Asheville Symphony Chorus

Ring in the New Year with the Most Rousing Musical Celebration of Them All

2016-2017 Season 98 Asheville Symphony

Every year, orchestras across the globe ring in the New Year with performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Much more than a musical spectacle, Beethoven’s 9th celebrates the brotherhood of man and our collective hope to achieve the very best of what makes us human.

This year Asheville will join that worldwide tradition with our own

performance of Number Nine. With a cast that includes the Symphony, the ASO Chorus, and an international vocal quartet, Asheville’s First Night will be a celebration like never before! Join us for what will surely prove to be the “hot ticket” for New Year's Eve, as we offer a singular performance of this staggering musical achievement to ring in 2017.

D.M.

Debussy Petite SuiteChopin Piano Concerto No. 2Franck Symphony in D

April 22, 2017


8 p.m.

Soyeon Kate LeePianoSoyeon Kate Lee has been rapturously received as guest soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra. As a member of the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society, her performance of the Mozart Piano Trio was broadcast on PBS’ Live from Lincoln Center.

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The Perfect Marriageof Piano and Orchestra All three composers on our April program had a firm grasp on the art of choosing the perfect instruments for the right musical moments. Debussy’s Petite Suite is one of the many French works originally written for piano that take advant- age of the full palette of the orchestra. Chopin’s 2nd Piano Concerto is an example of the beauty that can exist when the solo piano perfectly intertwines with the orchestra. And Franck’s D minor Symphony stands as a richly woven tapestry of emotion and musical ideas.

D.M.

YevgenyKutikViolinYevgeny Kutik is hailed for his dazzling command of the violin, as well as a communicative immediacy that harkens back to the Romantic masters. Devoted to the music of our time, he has commissioned and premiered additions to the concert repertoire.

Big Ideas, Big Music,A Very Big Symphony

Mendelssohn Violin ConcertoMahler Symphony No. 1 “Titan”

May 13, 2017


8 p.m.

2016-2017 Season 11

Gustav Mahler has always loomed large in my exploration of music. I am deeply attracted to this music that can be as world-embracing as Beethoven’s, yet often so personal — an artist’s soul laid bare. His mastery of the orchestra, his ear for color, his ability to shift from one emotional extreme to another, all of what makes Mahler so singular, can be heard in this First Symphony. Mahler’s life was a quest for perfection in artistic expression, from the way we render the notes to the way we tap into the soul.

D.M.

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Mad for MidoriHeadlining the 2017 festival as featured performer and artist-in-residence is master musician and innovator Midori. Midori made her now-legendary debut with the New York Philharmonic at the age of 11, and as a seasoned artist she is a champion of making music education accessible for children in underserved communities. A Grammy Award winner, she received the Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum in recognition of her devotion to community engage-ment work worldwide, and has been named a Messenger of Peace by the United Nations.

Popular Festival ReturnsThe Asheville Symphony announces the return of the 10-day festival that was inspired by the music and life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. We are thrilled the incomparable Midori will be joining forces with us to present a schedule of performances, education programs, collaborations with community partners, and social events. The festival culminates with a finale concert featuring Midori on Sunday, March 19. This celebration will have something for everyone — from beer to theatre to music.

Igudesman & Joo

FROM BACH TO BERNSTEINOur 25th Anniversary Celebration

Asheville Symphony 13

Lifting Voices, Lifting Spirits The Asheville Symphony Chorus shares its joy of singing together for 25 years by offering a retrospective of the choral works it has performed since its inception. Music Director Dr. Michael Lancaster has selected his favorite movement from each work on the program; some are lyric and expressive, some energetic and quick-moving. Treat your ears to the joy of hearing favorite excerpts from among the greatest masterpieces of Western art music.

Program HighlightsHighlights of the 25th anniversary concert include selections from Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Orff’s Carmina Burana, Mozart’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Mass in C, Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem, and Vivaldi’s Gloria. The robust program demonstrates the broad range of the chorus in one enchanting evening.

November 12,2016Asheville

SymphonyChorus

Arden Presbyterian Church

7:30 p.m.Dr. Michael Lancaster, conductor

Vivaldi ■ Beethoven ■ Bernstein ■ Orff ■ Brahms ■ Duruflé ■ Fauré ■ PoulencThompson ■ Rutter ■ Vaughan Williams ■ Vierne ■ Mozart ■ Bach

Gloria ■ Mass in C ■ Chichester Psalms ■ Carmina Burana ■ RequiemAlleluia ■ Five Mystical Songs ■ Messe solennelle ■ B Minor Mass


Asheville Symphony education programs make all of this possible. The ASO’s MusicWorks! introduces youngsters to music by using it as a tool to teach life skills. Young People’s Concerts and Music in the Schools expose grade-schoolers to their first concert experience and the instruments of the orchestra. The Asheville Symphony Youth

Orchestra provides an opportunity for young musicians to perform in an ensemble and make music with others. Youth ticket pricing for ASO concerts is available for young people who want to take their interest to the next level. That’s how we educate, entertain and inspire more than 10,000 students every year.

3 Good Reasons to Support One Great Orchestra

• Exceptional music, extraordinary artists, and diverse programs that reach 40,000 people each year.

• Youth programs that help Asheville raise the next generation of musicians and audiences.

• Affordable concert-going: reasonable ticket prices, youth pricing, student rush seats.

3 Ways to Make an Impact

• Add a contribution to the annual fund on your ticket order.

• Donate online at ashevillesymphony.org

• Make a pledge: just check the box at the bottom of your order form.

Did you know? Ticket revenue covers less than half of the symphony’s operating costs.

Fundraising Activities 50%(Annual Fund, Sponsorships, Grants, Raffles)

Ticket Sales 43%

Guild Contribution 4%

Endowment 3%

Other Ways to GiveDonate cash or securities, name the ASO on an insurance policy, request a matching gift from your company, or include the symphony in your will.

For more information about giving, contact Deborah Sutton, Director of Development,at 828.318.8181 or [email protected].

GET CLOSER TO THE MUSICDonor benefits give you a thrilling behind-the-scenes experience. Benefits can include:

• Receptions with ASO musicians and guest artists

• Reserved parking

• Invitations to special events

• Tickets and invitations to share with friends

• Orchestra rehearsals

• Donor recognition in season programs

Our Community,Our Symphony

Imagine the wonder of a kindergartner picking up her first musical instrument. The anticipation of a fifth-grader hearing his first symphony. The excitement of a high school student performing in his first ensemble.

Asheville Symphony Society, Inc.P.O. Box 2852Asheville, NC 28802

NON-PROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE

PAIDASHEVILLE, NC

PERMIT NO 212

Inside:All the power, excitement, beauty, delight, surprise, majesty and joy your ears can handle!

“It has been a great joy that you and our talented musicians have been willing to travel alongside me and savor the journey!”

Daniel Meyer, Music Director

Reserve your seats nowGershwinSwings11.19.2016See page 5

DisneyInspires02.11.2017See page 7

Beethoven BlastsNew Year’s EveSee page 8

MahlerSoars05.13.17See page 11

And Much More Ear Joy Inside

Welcome to a season of power, - Asheville Symphony...

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