A MESSAGE FROM MAESTRO JOSÉ-LUIS NOVO

Dear ASO Friend,

I am delighted to introduce the 2023–2024 season, the 62nd of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra,and to present another year of music that will move and inspire you. I invite you to come to Maryland Hall and to the Music Center at Strathmore for the incomparable experience of hearing great music played live by our exceptional orchestra and the world-class guest artists appearing on stage with us including legendary Spanish guitarist Pepe Romero, stellar British cellist Steven Isserlis, acclaimed pianists Gabriela Montero and Awadagin Pratt, violist Peter Minkler and violinist Elissa Lee Koljonen with whom I first collaborated when I auditioned for the ASO in 2004.

This coming season you will have a chance to be enlightened by the symphonic works of early 20th-century composers such as Ravel, Elgar, and Sibelius alongside classics by Haydn, Beethoven, Berlioz,Schumann, Rossini, and Tchaikovsky. Our season-opening concert is a bold exploration of the powerful aspect of human connection to our native land with Carlos Simon’s This Land, Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto, and the US premiere of Boris Pigovat’s Holocaust Requiem, in memory of the1941 Babi Yar massacre of the Jewish people by the Nazis in Kyiv, Ukraine, on the exact 82nd anniversary of the massacre.

Our second Masterworks program will transport us to Spain as perceived by the sounds of Italian and Mexican composers Rossini, Ponce, and Revueltas, and featuring Concierto del Sur, one of the foremost guitar concertos of the repertoire. In Masterworks III, “Raging Fire”, we return to the music of Thai composer Narong Prangcharoen, who has made a name for himself on the international stage since winning our Annapolis Charter 300 Young Composers Competition in 2008.

Another exciting new music development will be the world premiere of Nicky Sohn, our featured composer on the multi-year co-commissioning project “Embracing 21st Century Voices” with the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music.

There will be time for pure symphonic enjoyment with Ravel’s Mother Goose, Respighi’s Roman Festivals, Elgar’s Enigma Variations, and Berlioz’s Roman Carnival. Of course, we’ll have some lighter fun along the way at our hugely popular Pops in the Park (at both Quiet Waters and Downs Parks this year!) and Holiday Pops concerts.

The visceral power of music impacts the lives of everyone. It puts us in touch with our better selves, enriches the soul, and frees the imagination. The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra - your orchestra - is committed to providing this magical experience for you and future generations. Your support is essential to ensuring our future. Please consider supporting our annual fund with your subscription.

On behalf of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, I thank you for your support and look forward to celebrating with you this new season.

Sincerely,

José-Luis Novo, Artistic Director & Conductor The Philip Richebourg Chair

2023-2024 SEASON SCHEDULE

Annapolis Symphony Orchestra

Masterworks III

Raging Fire:

Tchaikovsky & Sibelius with violinist Elissa Lee Koljonen

February 2 & 3 at 7:30 pm ,

Pops in the Park

September 2 & 3, 2023

Downs Park

Quiet Waters Park

Masterworks I

Music to Rem ember simon, grieg & pigovat with pianist Gabriela Montero & violist Peter Minkler

September 29 & 30 at 7:30 pm

Maryland Hall

Masterworks II

Pepe Plays Ponce:

Ravel, Revueltas & Ponce with guitarist Pepe Romero

November 3 & 4 at 7:30 pm

Maryland Hall

Holiday Pops

December 15 at 7:30 pm

Maryland Hall

Family Concert

January 20 at 11:00 am

Maryland Hall

Maryland Hall

February 4 3:00 pm

Strathmore

Masterworks IV

Portraits:

Elgar & Schumann with cellist Steven Isserlis

March 1 & 2 at 7:30 pm

Maryland Hall

March 3 3:00 pm

Strathmore

Masterworks V

Roman Festivals:

Respighi & Beethoven with pianist Awadagin Pratt

April 12 & 13 at 7:30 pm

Maryland Hall

April 14 3:00 pm

Strathmore

Masterworks VI This Midnight Hour:

Clyne & Sibelius

May 10 & 11 at 7:30 pm

Maryland Hall