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Morlot also announced the appointment of Alexander Velinzon as the Seattle Symphony's David & Amy Fulton Concertmaster (see separate release). Velinzon currently serves as Assistant Concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a position he has held since 2005. He will begin his new role in Seattle in June 2012. Velinzon succeeds Maria Larionoff, who stepped down as concertmaster of the Seattle Symphony in June 2011.
Commenting on the season, Morlot shared, "The 2012-2013 season is a continuation of our pioneering musical journey: first-ever Seattle Symphony performances of two incredible works - Messiaen's Turangalîla Symphony and Britten's War Requiem - and the introduction of [untitled], a new contemporary concert series set in the beautiful Grand Lobby of Benaroya Hall. Meanwhile, our Wyckoff Masterworks Season offers many opportunities to hear with fresh ears the powerful stories told by an outstanding lineup of international soloists, conductors and our superb Orchestra, from the symphonies of Beethoven, Brahms and Mahler to the concertos of Shostakovich, Sibelius and Tchaikovsky. I invite everyone - young and old, newcomers and regulars - to join us on this exciting trip."
Simon Woods, Seattle Symphony Executive Director, added, "This is a simply sensational season. The roster of guest artists coming in 2012-2013 is the equal of any orchestra in North America, and a tribute to the esteem in which our new music director is regarded worldwide. The programing is inspiring, innovative and stimulating, and with a big emphasis on informality and accessibility. I'm certain that we will continue our trend of bringing new audiences to Benaroya Hall to hear the Pacific Northwest treasure that is the Seattle Symphony. And, with the promise of a Carnegie Hall appearance in 2014, today's announcement is yet another exciting validation of the tremendous energy that we and so many others are experiencing under Ludovic Morlot's leadership."
In 2012-2013, the Symphony will present several non-subscription Special Performances, including appearances by violinist Itzhak Perlman and comedian Bill Cosby; a return of the popular Celebrate Asia program; and sister orchestras to the north and south - the Oregon Symphony and the Vancouver Symphony. Morlot will lead a special January festival of Rachmaninov piano concertos featuring four talented, award-winning young artists, and Seattle Symphony Conductor Laureate Gerard Schwarz will conduct four programs in a "Russian Spectacular" event in May, featuring music by Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich. An all-American Opening Night Concert & Gala is planned for Saturday, September 15, featuring one of Seattle's favorite violin virtuosos, Joshua Bell, and a program of music by Gershwin, Bernstein and Copland. The Symphony will also present a variety of holiday concerts, including the traditional performances of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, conducted by Ludovic Morlot, and Handel's Messiah, conducted by early music specialist Stephen Stubbs.
In an effort to streamline its offerings, the Seattle Symphony will no longer present the three-concert Symphony Specials or Around the World packages, although similar programs will be presented as stand-alone, non-subscription concerts. Additionally, the Visiting Orchestras series will be discontinued as a three-concert series. Orchestras on tour will be presented on an individual basis in the future.
The appealing Seattle Pops series continues with five programs of music from the big band era to today; two programs will be led by Principal Pops Conductor Marvin Hamlisch.
*To read the season announcement in its entirety as well as a chronological listing of concerts, please click here*