Charles Dutoit Conductor
Julian Rachlin Violin

Prokofiev Symphony No. 1 ("Classical")
Sibelius Violin Concerto
Beethoven Symphony No. 7

Maestro Charles Dutoit ignites the start of his final season as chief conductor with the breathless "Classical" Symphony of Prokofiev. Beethoven's propulsive Seventh Symphony completes the program, which also features violinist Julian Rachlin in the shimmering Violin Concerto by Sibelius.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor
Yuja Wang Piano

Higdon Concerto for Orchestra
Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of
     Paganini, for piano and orchestra
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2
     ("Little Russian")

Yannick celebrates two great Philadelphia Orchestra premieres—Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (1934), which became one of the most famous works written in the 20th century, and Jennifer Higdon's Concerto for Orchestra (2002), one of the most successful works of the 21st century. It's Yannick, Jennifer Higdon, and the music of Philadelphia together in a remarkable partnership.

Beethoven's Fifth
January 7, 2012

David Zinman Conductor
Choong-Jin Chang Viola

Torke Ash
Walton Viola Concerto
Beethoven Symphony No. 5

It's fate knocking at the door. The beginning four notes of Beethoven's Fifth are the most poignant ever written. David Zinman brings his own unique interpretive style to the work, including the brisk tempos Beethoven indicated, and a period-informed approach to orchestral sound. Walton's extremely challenging Viola Concerto will be in the virtuosic hands of Philadelphia Orchestra Principal Viola Choong-Jin Chang.

Charles Dutoit Conductor
James Ehnes Violin

Martin Concerto for Seven Winds,
    Percussion, and String Orchestra
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Bartók Concerto for Orchestra

Grammy Award-winning violinist James Ehnes returns with Mendelssohn's beloved Violin Concerto. Individual members of the Orchestra are highlighted throughout the program in Bartók's masterpiece, the Concerto for Orchestra, and the winds are imaginatively featured in Martin's Concerto for Seven Winds. A Philadelphia night to remember.

Gianandrea Noseda Conductor
Juliette Kang Violin

Rossini Overture to William Tell
Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 1
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3 ("Scottish")

Gianandrea Noseda returns to lead a whirlwind tour, beginning in his native Italy with Rossini's famous William Tell Overture. First Associate Concertmaster Juliette Kang is featured as soloist in Prokofiev's bounding Violin Concerto No. 1, written at the time of the Russian Revolution. The program concludes with a sojourn to Scotland with Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 3.

Charles Dutoit Conductor
Eva Johansson Soprano (Elektra)

Strauss Elektra (opera in concert)

Strauss's scandalous retelling of Sophocles's Greek tragedy is imagined through an impossibly-demanding score for a large orchestra and a brave cast of daring singers. In 1909, and perhaps still today, this was the most progressive and daunting operatic work ever written. A century later these performances are the pinnacle of Maestro Dutoit's tenure.