Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony
Jessye Norman
Friday, April 9 Hannu Lintu, conductor Colin Currie, percussion
BSO DEBUT
Sibelius: Finlandia Einojuhani Rautavaara: Incantations (U.S. Premiere/BSO Co-Commission) Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
Two of today’s bright young talents join together for the United States premiere of a brand new work by Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara. Acclaimed as the creative heir to Sibelius, Rautavaara builds lyrical music built on old and new traditions. Sibelius’s own early fanfare for a nation, Finlandia, begins the evening, and Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony completes the concert with a variety of dance rhythms built into a compelling and joyful symphonic treat.
Ask Your Mama Friday, February 5 Marin Alsop, conductor Jessye Norman, soprano The Roots
BSO DEBUT
Laura Karpman: Ask Your Mama
Hot jazz, German lieder, Cha-Cha and Afro-Cuban drumming come together in AskYour Mama by Emmy Award-winning composer Laura Karpman in collaboration with world-renowned soprano Jessye Norman and the poetry of Langston Hughes. His epic poem, “AskYour Mama: Twelve Moods for Jazz,” creates a compelling tapestry of orchestral music integrated with technology, sound samples and newly created video. A heady mixture of intersecting cultures, AskYour Mama brings together the collective memories of America and the hope for its future.
Three Romantics Hannu Lintu
Friday, May 14 Juanjo Mena, conductor Louis Lortie, piano
Cirque de la Symphonie
Cirque de la Symphonie Friday, March 12 Marin Alsop, conductor Cirque de la Symphonie Poulenc: Les Biches Suite Bartók: Miraculous Mandarin Suite Satie: Parade Copland: Billy the Kid Suite
Fun, frightening and fabulous! The BSO’s four-week mid-season music carnival brings the circus to town—performed under the Big Top by the Greatest Orchestra on Earth! This program of brilliant music and spectacular performance features Cirque de la Symphonie performers on and above the stage, presenting a feast for your eyes and ears. Marin Alsop leads a magnificent line-up of music from across the continents, from Poulenc’s charming portrayal of Louis XIV to Aaron Copland’s “ride tough, let’s dance, and shoot-’em-up” depiction of Billy the Kid.
Strauss: Don Juan Schumann: Piano Concerto Brahms: Symphony No. 3
Romantic flames illuminate three great works from the passionate 19th century. Strauss’ first tone poem leaps off the page with strength and daring. Schumann’s Piano Concerto, written at the age of 32, blazes with symphonic fortitude and fire—played here by famed Canadian pianist Louis Lortie to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth. Brahms’ autumnal Third Symphony is a grandly formed work, positively glowing with romantic heat. Juanjo Mena
See page 30 to add the spirited Too Hot to Handel holiday concert to your series. 17