2008-2009 Season Preview
Stella Boyle Smith Masterworks Series
It gives us great pleasure to announce the ASO’s 2008-2009 Stella Boyle Smith Masterworks series and to invite you to be a part of it! You, our valued audience, are the reason we rehearse, perform, and share the world’s most beautiful music. Maestro David Itkin has programmed six fabulous concerts, including an all-Mozart program, Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, Boléro, and Beethoven’s glorious Symphony No. 9. And as always, dazzling performers will join us to bring these programs to you. We look forward to sharing the joy of music!
OPENING NIGHT MAGIC with FIREBIRD
Saturday, September 20, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 21, 2008, 3:00 pm
David Itkin, conductor
Zuill Bailey, cello
Ravel: Boléro
Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919)
Dvořák: Cello Concerto
Maestro David Itkin and the orchestra guarantee a magical season opening with three masterpieces you’ll love: the intoxicating Bolero, Stravinsky’s glittering Firebird ballet suite, and Dvořák’s rich and expansive cello concerto, featuaring Zuill Bailey, back by popular demand. Unforgettable!
“Zuill Bailey, is enormously gifted and splendid.” Toronto Globe and Mail
Click Here to see a video of Stravinsky's Firebird Suite.
VIOLIN PYROTECHNICS!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
David Itkin, conductor
Franco Mezzena, violin
Barber: Second Essay for Orchestra
Paganini: Violin Concerto No. 1
Schumann: Symphony No. 2
Get ready for a ride on the wild side with Paganini’s violin concerto—all astounding runs and leaps—dazzlingly performed by Franco Mezzena. Schumann’s romantic Symphony No. 2 is sure to enchant you with its poetry and lyricism.
“...Franco Mezzena: a tremendous virtuoso...” Gramophone (London)
MOZART TO THE MAX
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
David Itkin, conductor
Kelly Johnson, clarinet
Mozart : Overture to Don Giovanni
Mozart : Clarinet Concerto
Mozart: Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter”
A feast for all lovers of great music, starring our own principalclarinetist Kelly Johnson in Mozart’s ravishing clarinet concerto; westart with an overture that foretells the fate of the notorious rakeDon Giovanni, and end with the jewel in Amadeus’s symphonic crown, theglorious “Jupiter” Symphony.
Click Here to hear a selection from Mozart's Symphony No. 41, "Jupiter"
BRAHMS FOR TWO
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
David Itkin, conductor
Giora Schmidt, violin
Julie Albers, cello
Brahms: Concerto for Violin and Cello (“Double Concerto”)
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
Performances of great power and haunting beauty await you at this concert. In Brahms’s Double Concerto two virtuoso soloists are in the limelight for music that’s both dramatic and lyrical. Music as politics concludes the performance: Shostakovich’s shattering masterpiece was a defiant gesture against Stalin’s totalitarian regime.
“[Julie Albers’] playing is mature in every sense of the word, from the vibrant sound she produces at all dynamic levels and technical ease with which she traverses treacherous lines to the interpretive poise that enables her to seize the ear.” The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH)
“Schmidt held the audience rapt.” Newsday
Click Here to see a video of a selection from Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5.
BEETHOVEN’S “ODE TO JOY”
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
David Itkin, conductor
TBA, soprano
Juline Giolmore, mezzo-soprano
Mark Thomsen, tenor
Stephen Anthony Ray,bass
The Choruses from the University of Central Arkansas, Harding University, Hendrix College, and Henderson State University
Milhaud: La création du monde
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, “Choral”
The lively inspiration of New York’s jazz clubs and African legendsenergize Milhaud’s exotic ballet score about the creation of the world.There’s no greater joy than Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” ringing out inexultation, celebrating a world where all mankind is in the embrace oflove and friendship.
Click Here to hear a selection from Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.
FANTASTIC SYMPHONY!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
David Itkin, conductor
Orchestra Showcase
Copland: Appalachian Spring
R. Strauss: Don Juan
Berlioz : Symphonie Fantastique
A showcase for our fabulous musicians: Copland’s American classic—immediate and tender—features the Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts”; Strauss’s glorious tone poem expresses longing, love, and loss; and a true “classical hit,” the Fantastic Symphony, filled with brilliant orchestral effect and guaranteed to knock your socks off!
ACXIOM POPS LIVE!
Another fantastic season of musical entertainment is ready for your delight at the 2008-2009 ACXIOM POPS LIVE! Join the musicians of the ASO as they perform the dazzling variety you’ve come to expect from this series: music from the movies, from Broadway, beloved light classics, seasonal favorites, and, for the first time, music to do acrobatics by! There’s something to love for everyone at every concert! Won’t you join us?
CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE
Friday, October 3, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 4, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
The best aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers, and strongmen in the world bring the magic of cirque to Robinson Center Music Hall, sharing the stage with the ASO. Watch their thrilling athleticism and high-energy acrobatics, choreographed to live music by the orchestra. Unique, breathtaking!
Click here to see a video of Cirque de la Symphonie in performance.
YULETIDE SPECTACULAR
V
Friday, December 19, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 20, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
ASO’s dazzling Yuletide Spectacular V—it’s Little Rock’s favorite way to get into the holiday spirit! Your whole family will love the all the traditional songs and carols, the exciting choreography, sparkling scenery, and of course, a visit by jolly old St. Nick. Look for special new touches plus a few surprises. A beautiful way to celebrate the season!
MANCINI A
ND MOONLIGHT
Friday, February 13, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 14, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Rosena Hill, vocalist
Aaron Lazar, vocalist
Share a romantic night with your Valentine at the symphony. It’s all hearts and flowers, music and moonlight, with lush arrangements of favorite tunes by two great songsmiths, Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini, including “Moon River”, “The Days of Wine and Roses,” and “Baby Elephant Walk,” and music from Peter Gunn, The Pink Panther, and Victor Victoria.
Click here to see a video of Aaron Lazar (who performed with the ASO recently in "Behind the Mask") in performance.
A LITTLE
NIGHT MUSIC
Friday, March 13, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 14, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Semi-staged and performed in partnership with the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Robert Hupp, stage director
The bittersweet dreams of a summer weekend in Sweden reflect the complicated world of romance in Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical. Its wry, witty songs—all scored in three-quarter time—recall the elegance of an earlier era. Highlights you’ll love include the opening waltz sequence and the iconic “Send in the Clowns.”
Click here to see a video performance of "Send in the Clowns."
THE MAGIC
AL MUSIC OF DISNEY
Friday, April 10, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 11, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Walt Disney movies have been enchanting generations of kids of all ages. You’ll laugh (and maybe brush away a tear) when you hear beloved songs from animated film classics, played against a backdrop of memorable stills projected above the stage. Enjoy your favorite tunes from Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Lion King, and more!
River Rhapsodies Chamber Series
For three years River Rhapsodies has been the must-have ticket in Little Rock! The 2008-2009 season again promises an unforgettable experience with grand music in a dramatic setting—sweeping views of the city skyline, sunset vistas, and the Arkansas River flowing nearby—as you enjoy composers from Bach to Brahms, Paganini to Piazzolla.
A MUSICAL BANQ
UET
September 23, 2008
Zuill Bailey, cello (Richard Sheppard Arnold Chamber Music Artist of Distinction)
Quapaw Quartet
TBA, piano
John Dahlstrand, bass
Bach: Selections for solo cello
Couperin: Pièces en concert
Massenet: Meditation from Thaïs
Paganini: Variations on One String
Schubert: “Arpeggione” Sonata
Vieuxtemps: Souvenir d’ Amérique
Piazzolla: Grand Tango for Cello and String Quartet
It’s the fabulous opening of our third River Rhapsodies series, with special guest artist Zuill Bailey joining in the festivities. From the Baroque splendor of Bach to the lyrical beauty of Schubert to the sultry new tango rhythms of Piazzolla, this tuneful banquet will satisfy your every musical appetite!
THE MAGIC OF 3
2 STRINGS
October 21, 2008
Rockefeller Quartet
Sturgis Quartet
Smetana: String Quartet No. 1, “From My Life”
Franck: String Quartet in D Major
Czech composer Bedřich Smetana’s beautifully crafted “tone picture” of his life expresses yearning, love, and joy through echoes of his beloved native Bohemia; in combination with César Franck’s sensuous and soaring string quartet, this program will linger long in your memory.
FROM THE HEART OF EUROPE
November 18, 2008
Quapaw Quartet
Dvořák: Cypresses (selections)
Bartók: String Quartet No. 6
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 10, “Harp”
This splendid program is a study in contrasts: the rhythmic daring and extraordinary sound world of Bartók; Beethoven’s consummate mastery of the form in his “Harp” Quartet; plus Dvořák’s beautiful recasting of love songs for four strings.
CLASSIC GRACE
January 27, 2009
Kiril Laskarov, violin
Gerry Gibson, oboe
Rockefeller Quartet
David Itkin, harpsichord
Arriaga: String Quartet No. 3
Albinoni: Oboe Concerto in D Minor, Op. 9, No. 2
Haydn: Violin Concerto in C Major
Composers from Spain, Italy, and Austria contribute their unique flavor to this pleasing program of 18th and early 19th century music: a sparkling quartet by the teenaged Arriaga; Albinoni’s lyrical concerto, starring our principal oboe; and Haydn’s virtuoso showpiece featuring our co-concertmaster.
QUARTET/OCTET
February 17, 2009
Quapaw Quartet
Sturgis Quartet
Schumann: String Quartet, Op. 41, No. 3, in A Major, “Clara”
Enescu: String Octet in C Major, Op. 7
Fall in love with a quartet filled with yearning, sighing, and beautiful melodies by the ultra-Romantic Schumann. Nineteen-year-old George Enescu extravagantly synthesized nocturne, fugue, wild waltz, and Romanian music in his octet—stunningly interpreted by two of our resident quartets.
A TOUCH OF THE GYPS
Y
April 21, 2009
Sunaura Trio
Meredith Maddox, violin
Ryan Mooney, viola
Melita Hunsinger, cello
Tim Smith, piano
Paul Dickinson: Nine Pieces for Woodwind Trio
M. Arnold: Divertimento
Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor
Devilishly difficult to play, Nine Pieces by Arkansas’ Paul Dickinson was written especially for the Sunaura Trio; Malcolm Arnold’s witty, tuneful Divertimento is a masterpiece for flute, oboe, and clarinet; and Brahms gives his glorious quartet a fiery “gypsy rondo” finale.
THE MASTERS: RACHMANINOFF TRIPLE BIL
L
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
David Itkin, conductor
Ilya Yakushev, piano
Antonio Pompa-Baldi, piano
Philippe Bianconi, piano
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 1
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3
An unprecedented event: three virtuoso pianists, each playing one of Rachmaninoff’s piano concertos—rhapsodic, passionate, romantic music like none other. Our international cast of soloists includes Ilya Yakushev, who makes an eagerly-anticipated return appearance; Antonio Pompa-Baldi , winner of the Cleveland International Piano Competition, and Philippe Bianconi, Silver Medalist at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.
Click here for a video of Antonio Pompa-Baldi in performance.
ACXIOM SuperPOPS
!
Three Dog Night
May 12, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
David Itkin, conductor
One of the most popular groups in the history of pop, Three Dog Night helped define the Sixties and Seventies. Revisit that time when they take the stage with the ASO, performing their chart-topping hits, like “Mama Told Me (Not To Come),” “Joy to The World,” “Black And White,” “Shambala,” and many more!
Click here to see a video of Three Dog Night.
