Morlot Replaces Roberto Abbado on Podium Due to Schedule Change
Cellist Xavier Phillips to Perform Dutilleux’s Cello Concerto
Seattle Symphony announces that, due to a schedule change, French conductor Ludovic Morlot will replace Roberto Abbado in upcoming Masterworks season performances on April 22, 24 and 25. Morlot will lead Seattle Symphony in Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Dutilleux’s Cello Concerto, featuring guest cellist Xavier Phillips. The overture to Verdi’s opera La forza del destino will replace Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture to start the program. Performances will take place on Thursday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 24, at 8 p.m.
On Sunday, April 25, at 2 p.m. Seattle Symphony presents a Musically Speaking series program which will feature commentary from the podium. The overture to Verdi’s La forza del destino will not be performed.
One hour prior to the Thursday and Saturday performances, Seattle Symphony will present a Talk Music speaker in the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium at Benaroya Hall. Talk Music events feature leading voices in the local classical music field, and are free with ticket purchase. Lisa Maria d’Aquila, Pianist and Instructor will present “Force of Impact: Reflections on the Reception and Influence of Three Trend-Setting Works.”
Morlot’s appearance places a spotlight on Seattle Symphony’s search for a new Music Director. The international search is ongoing, and guest conductors both this season and next are under consideration. While the candidates for the position will remain confidential, the caliber and quality of guest conductors is sure to draw considerable attention to Seattle Symphony and its upcoming programs. Patrons are invited to share their comments and suggestions regarding the search by writing to maestrosearch@seattlesymphony.org.
Program
The Overture to La forza del destino is widely regarded as one of Giuseppe Verdi’s finest. Opening with three hammer-strokes representing “fate,” the overture focuses on the interaction of two primary themes: an agitated motive heard in the strings and a sweet, lyrical melody that echoes the prayers of the ill-fated soprano in the second act.
Henri Dutilleux is much admired for his haunting and evocative music. His cello concerto, Tout un monde lointain, takes its inspiration from a collection of poems by Charles Baudelaire entitled Les Fleurs du mal. There is an almost palpable affinity between dream-like music and Baudelaire’s verses.Dutilleux’s
One of the most famous pieces in the orchestral literature concludes the program. Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is like a force of nature. Its progress from a turbulent opening movement, through a ghostly scherzo, to its blazing finale helped define the heroic symphony as a genre.
Tickets
Tickets from $17 to $100 can be purchased by calling the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office at (206) 215-4747 or toll-free at (866) 833-4747, faxing the Symphony at (206) 215-4748, ordering online at www.seattlesymphony.org, or visiting the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office in Benaroya Hall at Third Avenue & Union Street, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 1 to 6 p.m. For group sales information, call (206) 215-4784. Student and senior rush discount tickets, subject to availability, go on sale in person at the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office at 6 p.m. prior to evening performances and two hours prior to afternoon performances.
Program
MASTERWORKS SEASON/MUSICALLY SPEAKING SERIES
BEETHOVEN’S FIFTH
Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 24, 2010, at 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 25, 2010, at 2 p.m.
S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium
Benaroya Hall
Ludovic Morlot, conductor
Xavier Phillips, cello
Seattle Symphony
GIUSEPPE VERDI Overture to La forza del destino
HENRI DUTILLEUX Tout un monde lointain (“A Whole Distant World”) for Cello and Orchestra
>Enigme (“Enigma”)—
Regard (“Gaze”)—
Houles (“Swells”)—
Miroirs (“Mirrors”)—
Hymne (“Hymn”)
Xavier Phillips, cello
INTERMISSION
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67
Allegro con brio
Andante con moto
Allegro
Allegro
*Sunday’s concert includes musical commentary from the podium. There will be no pre-concert lecture and Verdi’s Overture to La forza del destino will not be performed.
Talk Music speaker one hour prior to performance
Title: “Force of Impact: Reflections on the Reception and Influence of Three Trend-Setting Works”
Lecturer: Lisa Maria d’Aquila, Pianist and Instructor
All programs and artists subject to change. Photos of guest artists will be sent in a separate email following this release. Additional photos of guest artists and Seattle Symphony are available to the media on request.
