2024-25 DSSO Season Brochure by Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra

VOICES 2024-25 Season

WELCOME TO THE SYMPHONY!

With the 2024-25 Season the DSSO completes its three year artistic initiative of bringing the voices of underrepresented composers to the stage of Symphony Hall. After featuring music by Black composers and female composers in the past two years, this season we turn our focus to American music, specifically contemporary American composers. With several regional premieres (and many more DSSO premieres), our season is packed with incredible music and unforgettable experiences.

Did you know that in 2024 we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Gerswhin’s famous Rhapsody in Blue? We join in the celebration by bringing back acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Biegel, performing not just the Gershwin, but also the MN premiere of Peter Boyer’s new Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue, written specifically for this occasion. Another highlight awaits when the DSSO’s own principal second oboe, Darci Gamerl, performs the Midwest premier of James Lee III’s new concerto for English Horn: Courageous Lights. Written especially for Darci, this work celebrates the work and life of three courageous women activists.

Amongst all those new works, of course we will not forget about enduring classics and beloved favorites. Some of the highlights include works by Mozart and Mendelssohn, Sibelius’ mesmerizing Symphony No.3 alongside our celebration of Anton Bruckner’s 200th birthday (featuring his Te Deum), Chopin, Brahms, Ravel and Debussy’s unparalleled musical picture of the sea: La Mer. Finally, we feature music by two important American composers in our mini-festival: With two Masterworks concerts at the DECC and a chamber music performance in between at the Depot, we will get to know the incredible works of Hollywood composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold and Baltimore based composer Jonathan Leshnoff.

Our celebration of American music carries over into our Pops where we bring back our annual Holiday concert tradition and wrap up the season with the one-and-only Star Wars: A New Hope, playing on the big screen, with the DSSO performing the soundtrack live.

To paraphrase Obi-Wan Kenobi: May the DSSO be with you!

Dirk Meyer, Music Director

For the third season at The Depot, The DSSO Bridge Sessions are back! We are bridging the gap between music genres across the Twin Ports and couldn’t be more excited about this year’s line-up. For further details on upcoming events, please check out the DSSO’s Facebook page.

August 1

Boss Mama & The Jebberhooch

takes listeners on an emotional ride from smooth country heartbreak to foot-stomping Americana blues and beyond. Her songwriting ranges from honest emotion and earthly imagery to the raucousness of horses, strippers, and whiskey.

August 15

Reflectivore

is a mellow, yet evocative post-rock band that layers Ryan Rusch on piano and vocals, Mat Milinkovich on drums, Allen Cragin on guitar, and Matt Osterlund on bass, with other instruments like cello and saxophone added to create a harmonious blend of moody sound.

August 29

Shaunna Heckman

is an American singer, songwriter and producer based in Duluth, MN. Her sound combines keyboards, synths, electronic beats, and an array of vocal effects that create rhythmic soundscapes and unique atmospheric tones.

SEASON PARKING & BUS PASSES

We have worked with our partners and are able to offer both the DECC Parking Pass and the Annual DSSO Bus Pass available for sale with your subscription order.

The DECC Parking Pass is available for $50 through June 30th from the DSSO, and for $70 directly from the DECC thereafter.

DSSO Annual Bus Pass (all eight concerts) will cost $56 and a MasterworksONLY package will be available for $45. Individual concerts are $8 per ride and all can be purchased by calling or visiting the DSSO office.

As a reminder, donors who contribute $1,000 or more get either a complimentary parking or bus pass!

GREAT LAKES AQUARIUM

Earth Rider Beer Garden presents small ensembles from the DSSO who perform at the Great Lakes Aquarium.

Thursdays in July and August | 6-8pm

MW II

SATURDAY 10.26.2024 7:00 P.M.

MOZART Paris Symphony (No.31)

LEE III Courageous Lights

MENDELSSOHN Symphony No.1

Enjoy some classics of the repertoire, alongside a brand new work, written for our very own oboist, Darci Gamerl. Composer James Lee III has been a rising star over the past few years, with performances by major symphony orchestras around the globe. The DSSO co-commissioned him to write Courageous Lights, a concerto for orchestra and English Horn, celebrating three outstanding female social activists. This performance marks the Midwest premiere of Courageous Lights. We frame this melodious and inspiring new work with two symphonies: the short, yet sparkling Paris Symphony by Mozart, and Felix Mendelssohn’s dramatic Symphony No.1, written when he was just 15 years of age.

Darci Gamerl english horn

Lindsay Ohse Hart soprano

Emily Triebold alto

BRUCKNER Symphonic Prelude

SIBELIUS Symphony No.3

WAGNER Wesendonck Lieder

BRUCKNER Te Deum

2

Thomas Glass bass SATURDAY 11.16.2024 7:00 P.M. SATURDAY 11.16.2024 7:00 P.M.

David Blalock tenor

024 marks the 200th birthday of Anton Bruckner. With his epic style, deeply rooted in his Christian faith, he influenced countless composers after him. We celebrate the master with the Symphonic Prelude, a work sometimes attributed to his great admirer Gustav Mahler, and his grand Te Deum, a work for chorus, vocal soloists and orchestra, that Bruckner called “the pride of his life”. Alongside, we feature soprano Lindsay Ohse Hart with the Wesendonk Lieder, one of the great works by Richard Wagner, whom Bruckner worshiped. We round up the evening with the seldom performed, yet thrilling Symphony No.3 by Jean Sibelius.

JSATURDAY 12.07.2024 2:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M.

oin us at the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra’s highly anticipated annual Holiday Spectacular, a magical event that promises to warm your heart and fill you with holiday cheer. Step into Symphony Hall and immerse yourself in a family-friendly extravaganza featuring traditional holiday music that will leave you feeling festive and joyful. After the concert, continue the holiday spirit by visiting the enchanting Bentleyville Villiage or explore the Holiday Market for a truly unforgettable day of seasonal delights. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to create lasting memories with your loved ones this holiday season!

CASUAL CONCERT

2pm at DECC Symphony Hall

Children 17 and younger are free | Adults $10*

General Admission | Not included in subscription

*fees not included

JULIE ALBERS cello

KORNGOLD Theme and Variations

GOLIJOV Mariel

KORNGOLD Cello Concerto

BRAHMS Symphony No.3

As we feature many American contemporary works this season, we also want to pay respect to one of the great pioneers of American music: Erich Wolfgang Korngold. After he emigrated to the United States in 1934, Korngold became essential in creating the Hollywood sound and wrote scores for 16 movies. We feature his final work, the lush Theme and Variations, as well as his short and energetic Cello Concerto, featuring SPCO Principal Julie Albers. Julie will also perform the beautiful Mariel for cello and orchestra by Argentinian/American composer Osvaldo Golijov. Finally, Johannes Brahms’ wonderful Symphony No.3 concludes the evening.

SATURDAY

02.01.2025 7:00 P.M.

Natasha Paremski piano SATURDAY 03.01.2025 7:00 P.M.

CHOPIN Piano Concerto No.1

LESHNOFF Symphony No.4

DEBUSSY La Mer

Celebrate the mastery of musical performance, with this tour de force of a concert: First we revel in the breathtaking virtuosity of piano soloist Natasha Paremski in Chopin’s famous Piano Concerto No.1. Then we feature the DSSO’s musicians in two works that pull out all the stops of brilliant orchestral writing and orchestration. Jonathan Leshnoff’s Symphony No.4, subtitled Heichalos (Hebrew for “rooms”), explores mystical encounters with higher worlds: From the darkness of the first room to the “love song between humanity and God” (Leshnoff) of the second part. The DSSO’s performance will mark the Minnesota premiere of this work. Claude Debussy’s most vivid depiction of the sea and the play of its waves bursts with orchestral color and originality. La Mer is truly one of the most important works of a style that became known as musical Impressionism around the world.

Erin Aldridge violin

RAVEL La Valse

CHAUSSON Poème

RAVEL Tzigane

FRANK, G.L. Two Latin Amerian Dances

BRAHMS Schicksalslied

AGUILA Time and Again Barelas

We bring the Masterworks season to a close with the best the DSSO has to offer, featuring our incredible musicians, our concertmaster Erin Aldridge, and our beloved DSSO Chorus. The concert starts with a celebration of Maurice Ravel’s 150th birthday, featuring his virtuosic La Valse, that shows the orchestra in all its splendor. Erin will then take the stage with Ravel’s Tzigane for violin and orchestra, as well as the beautiful Poème by French composer Ernest Chausson. After two riveting Latin American Dances by American composer Gabriella Lena Frank, we then feature our DSSO Chorus in Johannes Brahms’ serene Schicksalslied and the rousing Time and Again Barelas choral suite by American/Uruguayan composer Miguel del Aguila.

SATURDAY

04.05.2025 7:00 P.M.

FILM LIVE WITH ORCHESTRA

PRESENTED BY

DULUTH SUPERIOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

FULL ORCHESTRA CONDUCTED BY DIRK MEYER

SATURDAY, MAY 10TH WWW.DSSO.COM

MUSIC BY JOHN WILLIAMS

Please keep up-to-date via @duluthsuperiorsymphonyorchestra @dssomn

SUPPORT OUR YOUNG MUSICIANS

Since 1940, young musicians throughout the Northland have found inspiration and expanded their musical talent in the Duluth Superior Symphony Youth Orchestras program. Members of the DSSYO work side-by-side with DSSO conductors and musicians in rehearsals, sectionals and performances throughout the season. For more information visit dsso.com/youth

CASUAL CONCERTS

Bring your family to ours!

Come as you are and enjoy a sample of the DSSO with this relaxed and casual afternoon concert experience for all ages.

Ages 17 and under are free for these performances and adult tickets are only $10 each. For more information visit dsso.com

A special thank you to Steven Mattson of Zenith City Photography for all the wonderful photography used throughout this brochure!

TAKE A BOW, SPONSORS

BOW, SPONSORS

A BOW, SPONSORS

TAKE A BOW, SPONSORS

A BOW, SPONSORS

TAKE A BOW, SPONSORS

big thank you to our sponsors for the 2021-2022 Season. makes it possible for the DSSO to bring world-class concerts, community outreach to the Northland. BRAVO!

We are pleased to o er a big thank you to our sponsors for the 2021-2022 Season. Their generous support makes it possible for the DSSO to bring world-class concerts, educational programs, and community outreach to the Northland. BRAVO!

TAKE A BOW, SPONSORS

pleased to o er a big thank you to our sponsors for the 2021-2022 Season. generous support makes it possible for the DSSO to bring world-class concerts, educational programs, and community outreach to the Northland. BRAVO!

We are pleased to offer a big thank you to our institutional sponsors for the 2023-2024 Season. Their generous support makes it possible for the DSSO to bring world-class concerts, educational programs, and community outreach to the Northland. BRAVO!