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.

Christoph Eschenbach Conductor
Jennifer Koh Violin

Beethoven Symphony No. 4
Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1
Beethoven Symphony No. 8

Maestro Christoph Eschenbach returns to The Philadelphia Orchestra to lead two contrasting Beethoven symphonies—the classical whimsy of the Fourth is contrasted against the more sardonic and humorous Eighth. Curtis graduate Jennifer Koh performs Bruch's youthful yet expressive Violin Concerto No. 1.

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.

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.

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.

Rattle Returns
April 29, 2012

Simon Rattle Conductor

Brahms Symphony No. 3
Webern Six Pieces for Orchestra
Schumann Symphony No. 3 ("Rhenish")

Simon Rattle, in a rare US guest-conducting appearance, leads the sweeping and expressive Third symphonies of both Brahms and Schumann. These create an ideal framework for the revolutionary style of Webern's hyper-romantic Six Pieces for Orchestra. Rattle and Philadelphia, a partnership not to be missed.