Nicholas McGegan Conductor

Bach Brandenburg Concerto Nos. 1-4
Bach Orchestral Suite No. 3

Bach's six Brandenberg Concertos are the emblematic works of the Baroque era; soloists from The Philadelphia Orchestra will be featured in four of these concertos. Plus the famous "Air on the G string" from his Third Orchestral Suite, in a program led by Baroque-specialist Nicholas McGegan.

Marin Alsop Conductor
Ricardo Morales Clarinet

Barber Toccata festiva,
     for organ and orchestra
Copland Clarinet Concerto
Dvořák Symphony No. 9
     ("From the New World")

Jazz. Spirituals. Native-American rhythms. These sounds echo through the vibrant cities and across the vast landscapes of the Americas. Principal Clarinet Ricardo Morales is featured in the Copland Clarinet Concerto, originally written for Benny Goodman.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor and
     Harpsichord

Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
Mahler Symphony No. 6

Did Mahler foresee the personal tragedy that was about to sweep across his life amid a successful career? The dramatic and fateful music of his Sixth Symphony—depicted by forceful hammer blows and large brass chorales—eerily portends the heartbreak that would soon enter his world. Yannick contrasts the scope of this impressive symphony with the intimate setting of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, which he will lead from the harpsichord.

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.

James Gaffigan Conductor
Stewart Goodyear Piano

Bernstein Symphonic Suite from
    On the Waterfront
Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue
Tchaikovsky Suite from Swan Lake

Music for the jazz hall, the ballet stage, and the silver screen. Gershwin's jazzy Rhapsody in Blue is presented for the first time ever on The Philadelphia Orchestra's subscription concerts. Bernstein's film score stands the test of time and Tchaikovsky's ballet is one of his most iconic works.

Rattle Returns
April 26, 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.