“Colours” season comprised of 51 performances in 6 series
Offering a wide and varied range of musical programming, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2008-2009 Season will run from September, 2008 through May, 2009.
The new season consists of six series featuring 32 distinct programs with a total of 51 performances. These do not include a wide variety of free community ensemble performances and most of the education schedule, which will be announced this spring.
The 2008-2009 Classical concert series brings excellent programs loaded with works of every musical color and contrast, works such as Brahms’s Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Schubert’s Mass in A-flat major, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, William Grant Still’s Afro-American Symphony No. 1, Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 in D major, Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphoses, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6 in B minor, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. In addition, the DPO has commissioned a Clarinet Concerto by Lowell Lieberman, which guest Jon Manassee will perform in the January concert.
The 2008-2009 National City SuperPops series takes the listener on a rainbow ride of American popular music. Mark O’Connor tinges classical and romantic music with “the brown-dirt whine of a Texas fiddle” (as one reviewer characterizes his earthy style). Steve Lippia relives the heyday of Frank Sinatra, but in his own, unique style. With her naughty-but-nice voice, Maude Maggart presents an unforgettable New York-style cabaret experience. The DPO performs music from Alfred Hitchcock’s thrilling films. Petula Clark transports you through several decades of huge pop hits. Motown chartbusters, The Contours, welcome music fans to a night of house-rockin’ party favorites.
Dayton Daily News continues its sponsorship of Classical Connections, which for 2008-2009 explores the multi-hued prism of classical music’s composing styles in a series of composer portraits. The composers are Brahms, Still, Haydn, and Beethoven, four composers each of whom created different, powerful, and emotional rainbows of sound. Music Director Neal Gittleman and the DPO present the music and additional information in a lively talk-plus-performance setting. There’s even a Q&A afterwards with our easygoing maestro.
The 2008-2009 Family Series, features two conductors and two orchestras that add up to all fun! The classical music choice for families across the region, this series takes the listener up to the heights of fright with its annual PhilharMonster celebration of Halloween; Bach to the Future with Platypus Theatre, a trailblazer group creating programs for children that bring classical music to life in an intelligent, entertaining, and interactive way; and Cirque de la Symphonie, an organization of many of the best cirque artists in the world, including aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers, and strongmen. Music Director Neal Gittleman and Assistant Conductor Patrick Reynolds join with the DPO and the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
The 2008-2009 Demirjian Chamber Orchestra Series, with programs now ensconced in the Schuster Center, push the instrumental envelope with music that exhibits the many-faceted jewels of chamber orchestra literature. Featured are both traditional and unusual combinations for small orchestra and smaller chamber groups in works by composers such as Ravel, Poulenc, Milhaud, Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven and Mozart. Former SPARK and Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra member Brandon George makes his DPO debut performing a Mozart flute concerto in March.
Finally, the 2008-2009 Special Events are quite remarkable and include 50 Years of Rock ‘N Roll, Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s St. John Passion at Westminster Presbyterian Church, the traditional New Year’s Eve Concert… even Barbie at the Symphony and the music of Video Games.
Concertgoers may renew, or purchase, series subscription tickets by calling Ticket Center Stage at (937) 228-3630. Subscription buyers enjoy big savings (up to 31% when one considers various single ticket surcharges), same-seat convenience, early seating for Special Events, early exchange privileges, a ticket tax credit, VIP Diner’s Card, and the satisfaction of knowing they are supporting a community treasure.