2020-2021 Season Brochure

Masterworks 20 • 21

Renee Fleming, May 2021

Orchestra Photo: Randall Schieber

Left Side Photos: Stephen Pariser

4 Photo: Stephen Pariser

Dear Friends, I am so excited to unveil the new season of the Columbus Symphony—one that promises to be full of curated experiences, passionate music making, and amazing guest artists.

I view each of our programs as experiences that we have designed to introduce you to great music, outline unexpected connections between the pieces on each program, and highlight thematic threads that flow through the season.

This season we focus on the expressive power of the human voice. American superstar diva Renée Fleming will grace us with her exquisite voice; our new Verdi/Puccini opera evening will give you a chance to hear the great opera classics in full splendor; and Carmina Burana and Haydn’s Creation will be spectacles for the senses, both featuring stunning visual design.

If you like Impressionism in art, then our seasonlong focus, “Impressionism: Music in Color,” will inspire you to discover unexpected connections between visual art and orchestral colors.

I hope you will be joining us in marking the landmark 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, which we will celebrating with a world premiere of Forward into Light by Sarah Snider in partnership with the New York Philharmonic, as well as the winning piece of Columbus Symphony Women Composer Competition.

As in recent years, the popular Russian repertoire will be featured prominently throughout the season, including music by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich and Mussorgsky.

Some of Columbus’ favorites, such as Augustin Hadelich and Inon Barnatan, as well as many new world-class soloists, will provide the star power that you expect to hear on our stage.

I hope that you continue to be inspired by our music and the tremendous artistic growth of the Columbus Symphony. I welcome you to an exciting season that we are proud to present here in our beloved city!

Yours, Rossen Milanov Music Director

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Photo: Stephen Pariser 6

Rossen Milanov at the pre-concert talks.

Accompaniments Throughout the season a variety of events accompany the Masterworks concerts.

Preludes Each Masterworks performance will include a 30-minute, pre-concert discussion featuring Rossen, Christopher Purdy, and featured guests. Each Prelude takes place in the theatre beginning at 6:30pm.

Postludes Patrons are invited to stay after the concert and enjoy Columbus Symphony musicians in chamber music mini-concerts and special opportunities to meet the artists up close or ask questions in a Talk Back session.

Mozart to Matisse The Columbus Symphony and Columbus Museum of Art will collaborate in a series of afternoon lectures that pair chamber music performances by Symphony musicians with works from the CMA art collection. The presentation will explore the connections and aesthetic influences between music and visual art.

Friday Coffee Dress (Friday Dress Rehearsals) Select Masterworks programs in 2020–21 will offer $14 general admission tickets to Friday morning dress rehearsals. Observe a working rehearsal as the musicians and conductor put the finishing touches of the concert program to be performed that evening. Coffee and donuts are included in the ticket price!

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8 Photo: Randall Schieber

Opening Night Spectacular— Carmina Burana October 2–3, 2020 | 7:30pm • Ohio Theatre

Rossen Milanov, conductor Rebekah Howell, soprano Taylor Stayton, tenor Hugh Russell, baritone Columbus Symphony Chorus Ronald J. Jenkins, chorus director The New World Singers of Columbus Children's Choir Jeanne Wohlgamuth, artistic director Katy Tucker, video artist

Program

Snider: Forward Into Light (co-commission with New York Philharmonic) Orff: Carmina Burana A tour de force opener of the new season. The iconic and scandalous Carmina Burana will come alive in full splendor and opulence with a multimedia version, featuring projections by influential visual artist Katy Tucker.

Sarah Kirkland Snider’s evocative orchestral work celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, granting American women the right to vote.

Accompaniments

Prelude: Join Christopher Purdy from WOSU Classical 101 for a pre-concert talk.

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10 Photo: Ryan Brandenberg

Mussorgsky—Pictures at an Exhibition October 9–10, 2020 | 7:30pm • Ohio Theatre Rossen Milanov, conductor Natalia Kazaryan, piano

Program

Britten: Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain

Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition Falla’s mysterious and sensual piano masterpiece captures the atmosphere of exotic gardens in Spain. Britten’s four portraits of the sea from his opera Peter Grimes show how the sea serves not only as a backdrop of the story, but also reflects the drama unfolding on stage in this tale of murder, violence, and mystery.

Mussorgsky’s Pictures from an Exhibition, brought to life in the splendid orchestration by Maurice Ravel, is a powerful display of cultural pride, as well as a requiem honoring the memory of a dear friend. The final chords of “The Great Gate of Kiev” are one of the ultimate examples of orchestral apotheosis.

Accompaniments

Prelude: Join Christopher Purdy from WOSU Classical 101 for a pre-concert talk.

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Photo courtesy of stefanjackiw.com

“Jackiw has grown to become one of the most insightful violinists of his generation.”

—BOSTON GLOBE

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Impressionism—Music in Color: Debussy and Brahms October 23–24, 2020 | 7:30pm • Ohio Theatre Rossen Milanov, conductor Stefan Jackiw, violin

Program Debussy: Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun Berg: Violin Concerto

Brahms: Symphony No. 2 Impressionism has produced some of the most exquisite work of the visual arts and has cast influence over all the arts, particularly music. Debussy and Ravel are the utmost masters of the style, the equivalents of Degas and Monet, capturing in their music the elusiveness and shimmering quality of the impressionistic style.

Debussy’s A Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun is the piece that started that quiet stylistic revolution. Berg’s Violin Concerto, dedicated to the memory of an angel, is a requiem for the recently deceased 18-year-old daughter of Alma Mahler. It is one of the most moving and serene works in the repertoire and the composer’s last finished work. Brahms’ Symphony is inspired by majestic Alpine landscapes and is infused with beauty and adoration of nature.

Accompaniments

Friday Coffee Dress: Oct. 23, 2020 | 10am Prelude: Join Rossen for a pre-concert talk.

Postlude: Ravel—Introduction and Allegro Mozart to Matisse: Oct. 28, 2020 | 2pm at CMA New Beginnings: Modern Art and the Classical World

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14 Photo: Lisa- Marie Mazzucco

Joanna's Violin November 13 –14, 2020 | 7:30pm • Ohio Theatre Rossen Milanov, conductor Joanna Frankel, violin

Program

Stravinsky: Pulcinella Suite Bizet/Sarasate: Carmen Fantasy Ravel: Tzigane Mozart: Symphony No. 40 in G minor Columbus Symphony Concertmaster Joanna Frankel will shine in two rarely-performed virtuosic works for violin. Stravinsky’s Pulcinella draws its inspiration from the music of Italian Baroque masters and the tradition of commedia dell’arte; Mozart’s most romantic symphony is also one of his most personal works.

Accompaniments

Prelude: Join Rossen for a pre-concert talk.

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Photo: Stephen Pariser

Handel—Messiah November 20–21, 2020 | 7:30pm November 22, 2020 | 2pm • Southern Theatre Rossen Milanov, conductor Jennifer Lynn Cherest, soprano Hannah Ludwig, mezzo-soprano Matthew Grills, tenor Malcolm J. Merriweather, bass-baritone Columbus Symphony Chorus Ronald J. Jenkins, chorus director

Program

Handel: Messiah A holiday favorite — and a new CSO tradition — brings a full-length performance of this masterpiece, featuring the Columbus Symphony Chorus and four talented vocal soloists.

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18 Photo: Louweb

Russian Winter Festival I— All Tchaikovsky

January 15–16, 2021 | 7:30pm • Ohio Theatre Rossen Milanov, conductor Maja Bogdanovic, cello

Program

Tchaikovsky: Francesca da Rimini Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 1 "Winter Dreams" Unforgettable melodies, intense drama, and romantic passion will be on full display in this one-of-a-kind evening devoted to the music of the iconic Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Serbian cellist Maja Bogdanovic will make her CSO debut with the Mozart-inspired Rococo Variations.

Accompaniments

Friday Coffee Dress: Jan. 15, 2021 | 10am Prelude: Join Christopher Purdy from WOSU Classical 101 for a pre-concert talk.

Mozart to Matisse: Jan. 20, 2021 | 2pm at CMA Image of Tragic Love: Paolo and Francesca

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20 Photo: Marco Boreggreve

Russian Winter Festival II— Rachmaninoff 3 and Shostakovich 10 January 29 –30, 2021 | 7:30pm • Ohio Theatre Rossen Milanov, conductor Inon Barnatan, piano

Program

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10 Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto is the Mount Everest of piano concertos. It will be conquered by the brilliant Inon Barnatan. The powerful Shostakovich Symphony, written after the death of Stalin, is an epic remembrance of the years of terror and a declaration of the triumph of the human spirit.

Accompaniments

Prelude: Join Christopher Purdy from WOSU Classical 101 for a pre-concert talk.

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22 Photo courtesy of William Eddins

Rhapsody In Blue and Beethoven 5 February 19– 20, 2021 | 7:30pm February 21, 2021 | 2pm • Ohio Theatre William Eddins, piano/conductor

Program

Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 Beethoven’s triumph of light over darkness in his exemplary Fifth Symphony will be juxtaposed with the music of Ravel and his most famous student: George Gershwin. William Eddins will conduct from the piano.

Accompaniments

Prelude: Join Christopher Purdy from WOSU Classical 101 for a pre-concert talk.

Mozart to Matisse: Feb. 24, 2021 | 2pm at CMA Artists in Crisis: Expressions of Psychic Pain

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24 Photo: Luca Valenta

Tchaikovsky—Violin Concerto March 12– 13, 2021 | 7:30pm • Ohio Theatre Rossen Milanov, conductor Augustin Hadelich, violin

Program

TBD: Women Composer Competition Winning Work Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra Augustin Hadelich with return to star in one of the most melodic and energetic violin concertos. The musicians of the CSO will shine in Bartók’s exquisite and virtuosic Concerto for Orchestra. The winning work of our new biennial CSO composer’s competition will open the program.

Accompaniments

Friday Coffee Dress: March 12, 2021 | 10am Prelude: Join Rossen for a pre-concert talk.

Postlude: Chamber music by Columbus Symphony musicians.

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Visual art by MBA productions

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Haydn—The Creation March 19–20, 2021 | 7:30pm • Ohio Theatre Rossen Milanov, conductor Alexandra Nowakovski, soprano Jonas Hacker, tenor Dashon Burton, bass Columbus Symphony Chorus Ronald J. Jenkins, chorus director MBA Productions, video design

Program

Haydn: The Creation Haydn’s extraordinary oratorio, inspired by the Book of Genesis, will be presented in a unique multimedia spectacle. The splendor of the CSO Chorus and vocal soloists will be on display in this glorious masterpiece. MBA Productions has created a virtual projection tapestry that visually reimagines the entire score of Haydn's The Creation, utilizing digital art and computer animation to create a modern expression of a treasured classic.

Accompaniments

Prelude: Join Christopher Purdy from WOSU Classical 101 for a pre-concert talk.

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The Waltz, Felix Edouard Vallotton (public domain)

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A Night in Vienna— Strauss and Ravel April 16– 17, 2021 | 7:30pm • Ohio Theatre Rossen Milanov, conductor Brian Mangrum, horn

Program

Ravel: La Valse Strauss: Horn Concerto No. 1 Strauss Jr.: Emperor Waltzes R. Strauss: Suite from Der Rosenkavalier Brush up your dancing skills and join us for an extraordinary night inspired by the city of music: Vienna. Waltzes, polkas, euphoric energy, and CSO Principal Horn Brian Mangrum in Richard Strauss’ horn concerto will certainly dazzle.

Accompaniments

Friday Coffee Dress: April 16, 2021 | 10am Prelude: Join Rossen for a pre-concert talk.

Mozart to Matisse: April 21, 2021 | 2pm at CMA Portraits of Sisi, Empress of Austria

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LA TRAVIATA

TOSCA Photo credits, left to right: Jessica Osber, Courtesy ADA, Courtesy ADA, Jeremy Redd 30

An Evening of Opera— Verdi and Puccini April 23, 2021 | 7:30pm April 25, 2021 | 2pm • Ohio Theatre Rossen Milanov, conductor Columbus Symphony Chorus Ronald J. Jenkins, chorus director

Program

Verdi: La Traviata, Act II Puccini: Tosca, Act II

La Traviata Cast:

Abigail Rethwisch, Violetta Jonathan Burton, Alfredo Germont Malcolm MacKenzie, Giorgio Germont

Tosca Cast:

Elaine Alvarez, Tosca Malcolm MacKenzie, Scarpia Jonathan Burton, Cavaradossi La Traviata and Tosca. Two of the greatest Italian opera composers will share an evening of extended selections from their most iconic operas: Verdi’s touching story of sacrificial love and Puccini’s passionate and chilling drama. An international cast of singers and the full symphony orchestra will display the power and emotional intensity of these grand opera scores.

Accompaniments

Prelude: Join Christopher Purdy from WOSU Classical 101 for a pre-concert talk.

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Photo: Decca, Timothy White

“For sheer beauty of sound, no soprano today can match Renée Fleming.”

—THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

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Special Event—Renée Fleming May 22, 2021 | 7:30pm • Ohio Theatre Rossen Milanov, conductor Renée Fleming, soprano The iconic American diva will be singing a varied selection of classical and popular music for one night only with the Columbus Symphony, conducted by Rossen. A triumphant end of the season, not to be missed!

Praise for Renée Fleming “Possibly the most beautiful soprano voice in the world…”

—Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung “A voice that possesses the complex sweetness of wildflower honey…”

—The Toronto Star “A superstar by any measure…”

—The New York Times "One of the truly magnificent voices of our time…"

—Los Angeles Times

“A voice as warm and rich as a fine single malt…” —The Times, London “No one but Fleming is on her way to… that place beyond the opera hall where a classical singer is accorded something like the celebrity of a pop star.”

—The New Yorker “In a superb musical theater debut, celebrated opera star Renée Fleming is the essence of warmth, good humor and grounded serenity. Her trilling soprano is sheer euphoria…”

—The Hollywood Reporter

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

Carmina Burana



Pictures at an Exhibition



Debussy and Brahms

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Joanna’s Violin



Messiah



All Tchaikovsky



Rachmaninoff 3



Rhapsody in Blue

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Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

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Haydn’s Creation

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A Night in Vienna



Verdi and Puccini

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