Detroit Symphony Orchestra announces 2015-16 season line-up

Music Director Leonard Slatkin leads Brahms Festival (#Brahmsfest) featuring the composer’s complete orchestral repertoire

Crowd-sourced work about Detroit, ‘Symphony in D,’ to receive World Premiere

DSO principal musicians spotlighted throughout season

British violin virtuoso Nigel Kennedy returns to perform with Leonard Slatkin

Classical ticket prices remain unchanged

DETROIT - The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) announced programming today for its 2015-16 Orchestra Hall Classical, Pops, and Young People’s Family Subscription Series. The new season reflects absolutely no increases in individual ticket prices.

The DSO and Music Director Leonard Slatkin, who has extended his commitment to the DSO through 2017, will enter their eighth season of a partnership that has fostered the DSO’s triumphant return to Carnegie Hall, as well as the launch of the Live From Orchestra Hall webcast series and the advent of digital recordings on the DSO’s in-house label.

In continuation of the tradition begun by 2013’s incredibly successful February Beethoven Festival, next season’s Brahms Festival (#Brahmsfest) will be the third DSO Winter Music Festival. Unlike the outpouring orchestral repertoire by his peers, Brahms only composed 13 works for orchestra (exclusive of those with chorus), and the DSO will perform them all during the festival. Past iterations of the Winter Music Festival have featured Beethoven and Tchaikovsky (taking place next month).

A complete series of Live From Orchestra Hall webcasts will return for its fifth full season, offering a free broadcast of each classical program at dso.org/live. See concert listings below for a full schedule. Dates marked with an asterisk denote webcast concerts.

The DSO Classical Series is sponsored by PVS Chemicals Inc.

A MESSAGE FROM MAESTRO SLATKIN ABOUT THE SEASON

It is always such a joy to announce a new season and unveil the exciting programs we have been planning for months.

Building on the success of our Tchaikovsky and Beethoven festivals, I am very pleased to reveal our Winter Festival for the 2015-16 season featuring the music of Brahms. This is no ordinary project by any means. Over the course of three weeks, we will play virtually every work written by that composer for orchestra. Unlike his peers, who composed dozens of works in this capacity, Brahms wrote only four symphonies, four concerti, two serenades, two overtures, a set of variations and three Hungarian dances. It is more than likely that this is the first time all of these masterpieces have been put into one basket. Certainly these concerts are not to be missed.

We will also feature six world premieres, playing new pieces by Tod Machover, Mohammed Fairouz, Aaron Jay Kernis, Sarah Kirkland Snider, Gabriela Lena Frank and me. Several works by distinguished American composers dot the landscape as well.

As usual, our soloist roster is outstanding. We will welcome to the stage such audience favorites as Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Hélène Grimaud, Joshua Bell and, in a long-anticipated return to the United States, Nigel Kennedy. In addition, members of the orchestra get solo turns, namely Concertmaster Yoonshin Song, Principal Bass Kevin Brown, Principal Trumpet Hunter Eberly, Principal Clarinet Ralph Skiano and our new Principal Cello Wei Yu. Returning guest conductors include Hans Graf, Andrew Grams, Thomas Dausgaard, Giancarlo Guerrero, Peter Oundjian, Sir Andrew Davis and Bobby McFerrin. Making their classical subscription debuts are conductors Fabien Gabel, Case Scaglione, Nikolaj Znaider, Nathalie Stutzmann, and DSO Assistant Conductor Michelle Merrill.

There are large-scale events too, with Mahler’s Second Symphony and a concert presentation of Strauss’s Salome topping the list. Moreover, we will perform beloved masterpieces throughout the season, including Beethoven’s sixth and seventh symphonies, Debussy’s La mer, Handel’s Messiah and Ravel’s Boléro.

These are just a sampling of the treats we have in store for you next season. I encourage you to renew your subscription early to ensure that you get the best possible seats.

MAJOR SYMPHONIC WORKS

The DSO will tackle a host of major symphonic repertoire during the 2015-16 season that will both feature key guest artists and showcase the talent of DSO musicians. The line-up includes:

Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F (Oct. 2-3)
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 (Oct. 15-17)
Copland’s Symphony No. 3 (Oct. 23-25)
Schumann’s Symphony No. 2 (Nov. 6-7)
Debussy’s La mer (Nov. 12-14)
Dvořák’s Cello Concerto(Nov. 20-21)
Mahler’s Symphony No. 2(Dec. 5-6)
Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 (Dec. 10-11)
Handel’s Messiah (Dec. 12-13)
Mozart’s Symphony No. 38, “Prague” (Jan. 16)
Ravel’s Boléro (Jan. 21-23)
Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 (Jan. 29-30)
Brahms’ Symphony Nos. 1-4 (Feb. 11-21)
Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1(March 18-19)
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 (April 2)
Stravinsky’s Petrushka (April 14-16)
Holst’s The Planets (April 22-24)
Elgar’s Violin Concerto (May 6-7)
Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 (May 20-22)
Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5, “Emperor” (May 26-27)
Strauss’ Salome (June 3 & 5)

WORLD, AMERICAN AND DSO PREMIERES:

The DSO will perform six World Premieres and one U.S. premiere, all written by American composers.

On Oct. 23-25 the DSO will perform the United States premiere of the first Viola Concerto by acclaimed young American composer Nico Muhly. Since his debut in 2007, Muhly has gained international notoriety with multiple film credits, compositions for world-class ensembles and soloists, and a full-scale opera commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera.

Tod Machover’s “Symphony in D” featuring sound submissions from the people of Detroit, will receive its World Premiere (Nov. 20-21), making the DSO the first American orchestra to work with Machover on his “city symphony” series of works based on the what the citizens of a city believe their home sounds like.

On Dec. 5-6, the DSO will give the World Premiere of Leonard Slatkin’s Kinah, an elegy written for his parents. Slatkin’s father would have turned 100 in December, 2015.

Mohammed Fairouz’s Cello Concerto will receive its World Premiere on Jan. 16, infused with influences from the young composer’s Middle Eastern ancestry. Dedicated to bridging cultural gaps, Israeli cellist Maya Beiser (known for her modern approach to cello performance) commissioned this piece for premiere in the United States. These performances are sponsored by Peter Cummings.

The DSO will give the World Premiere of American composer Aaron Jay Kernis’ Flute Concerto on Jan. 21-23 featuring renowned soloist Marina Piccinini.

The seventh winner of the Elaine Lebenbom Memorial Competition for Female Composers, Sarah Kirkland Snider, will come to Detroit April 14-16 for the World Premiere of a work that is yet unnamed.

On May 26-27, the DSO will give the World Premiere of a work by DSO Music Alive Composer in Residence Gabriela Lena Frank. The work is not yet titled.

The season will also feature five other works new to the DSO:

• An arrangement of Shostakovich’s Violin Sonata No. 1 featuring Augustin Hadelich (Dec. 10-11)
• John Williams’ Trumpet Concerto featuring DSO Principal Trumpet Hunter Eberly, to be recorded for digital release through the NAXOS label (Jan. 21-23)
• Brahms’ Sonata in F minor for Clarinet arranged for clarinet and orchestra featuring DSO Principal Clarinet Ralph Skiano (Feb. 27-28)
• Stenhammar’s Serenade (May 20-22)
• Strauss’ Salome, serving as the Classical Season Finale (June 3&5)

CLASSICAL DEBUTS & GUEST ARTISTS:

Leonard Slatkin will conduct the orchestra in 15 of 26 classical concert programs, including the entirety of the February Brahms Festival, as well as the World Premiere of his own composition, Kinah, written in honor of his parents who made up half of the Hollywood String Quartet and bathed his early life in musical influence. His father, Felix Slatkin, would have turned 100 in 2015.

During the other weeks, the DSO will welcome back a number of conductors who have become both orchestra and audience favorites including Hans Graf, Andrew Grams, Thomas Dausgaard, Giancarlo Guerrero, Peter Oundjian and Sir Andrew Davis. Next season will also welcome world-renowned conductors making their Detroit debuts:

Nikolaj Znaider, who last performed with the DSO in 2007 as a violin soloist, will make his conducting debut Jan. 29-30 when he will also be featured performing Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 1

Fabien Gabel (Nov. 12-14), Music Director of the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, will make his debut conducting the DSO Borodin’s Prince Igor Overture, Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto featuring DSO Concertmaster Yoonshin Song, Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Debussy’s iconic La mer.

Case Scaglione, Associate Conductor of the New York Philharmonic, will make his DSO debut on Dec. 10-11 in a program featuring the DSO Premiere of Shostakovich’s Violin Sonata No. 1 performed by Augustin Hadelich, Mozart’s Symphony No. 25, Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture and Haydn’s Symphony No. 94.

Nathalie Stutzmann, French opera singer,will make her conducting debut Dec. 12-13 with performances of Handel’s Messiah.

Michelle Merrill (April 2), DSO Assistant Conductor, will make her Classical Subscription debut conducting a program starring DSO Principal Bass Kevin Brown performing Vanhal’s Double Bass Concerto, as well as Piston’s Ballet Suite from The Incredible Flutist, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6.

Soloists making their DSO debut in 2015-16:

• Young American violist Nadia Sirota will give the United States premiere of Nico Muhly’s Viola Concerto on Oct. 23-25 with Leonard Slatkin conducting.
• 18-year-old violin sensation Simone Porter will perform Bruch’s Violin Concerto with Andrew Grams conducting on Nov. 6-7.
• Soprano Melissa Citro will make her DSO debut in Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (Dec. 5-6)
• Israeli cellist Maya Beiser will perform the World Premiere of Mohammad Fairouz’s Cello Concerto Jan. 16
• Celebrated German-Japanese cellist Danjulo Ishizaka will join violinist Baiba Skride in performing Brahms’ Double Concerto during the February Brahms Festival (Feb. 13-14)
• Macedonian pianist Simon Trpčeski will join the DSO in a performance of Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (March 18-19)
• Rising French piano star Lise de la Salle will perform Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1 (April 14-16)
• Lise Lindstrom, soprano; Jane Henschel, mezzo-soprano; Chris Merritt, tenor; and Daniel Sutin, baritone will all make their DSO debut as cast members of a concert version of Strauss’ Salome (June 3&5)

RECORDINGS
The DSO continues its project with the NAXOS label to release direct-to-digital releases of every John Williams concerto, starring DSO principal musicians. During the 2015-16 season, DSO Principal Trumpet Hunter Eberly will record Williams’ Trumpet Concerto, a DSO premiere.

The DSO will also record Copland’s Symphony No. 3 (Oct. 23-25) for future release, featuring Copland’s original ending, which Leonard Bernstein talked the composer out of using in the final published version. This will be the first recording of that passage.
The public is encouraged to attend live concerts to be a part of DSO history as it is made.

DSO POPS SEASON
Acclaimed DSO Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik returns with a Pops season full of classic American songbook, classic rock and classic movie scores. Anniversary concerts will celebrate the Sinatra Centennial (Oct. 9-11), Elvis’ 80th birthday (Nov. 28-29), and the 50th anniversary of The Beach Boys’ groundbreaking album Pet Sounds (April 29-May 1). Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton returns, as well as a program celebrating John William’s iconic movie music. The legendary Doc Severinsen will trumpet Great American Standards, Home For the Holidays returns with conductor Thomas Wilkins and Santa Claus, The Music of U2 makes its DSO debut and more. (See full listing of DSO Pops programs at the end of this release.)

The DSO Pops Series is presented by MASCO Corporation Foundation and Greektown Casino Hotel.

SUPER SATURDAYS AT THE DSO
Super Saturdays at the DSO are presented by Macy’s, and offer two distinct programs geared toward every age group.

The Young People’s Family Concert series will feature thrills and surprises for young music lovers ages 6 & up. Halloween Spooktacular with Assistant Conductor Michelle Merrill, complete with costumes on and offstage, the series will also feature “Santa’s Little Helpers” when the Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra will perform selections from The Nutcracker, “Wild Wild West” with Frank Oden’s Cowboy Jamboree and music of Copland and John Williams, plus an orchestral adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ The Sneetches.

The Tiny Tots series, geared toward children 2-6, will feature the Candy Band, a group of rockin’ Detroit moms, a sing-along with Gemini, Caribbean Christmas with the Gratitude Steel Band, and an interactive jazz presentation by Sean Dobbins incorporating the stories of Dr. Seuss. (See full listing of DSO YPFC and Tiny Tots programs at the end of this release)

“DSO PRESENTS” SPECIAL SERIES
The 2015-16 offerings of “DSO Presents” special concerts will feature comedy piano-violin duo Igudesman & Joo (Oct. 19) and Holidays with The von Trapps (Dec. 15), a vocal performance by the great-grandchildren of Maria and Captain von Trapp. The DSO does not appear on these programs.

SUBSCRIPTION PRICES
Subscription packages for classical, pops, and Young People’s Family series are on sale now. The deadline to renew for all existing subscribers is March 13. As part of the DSO’s Patron-Minded Pricing Program, classical subscription ticket prices continue to reflect up to a 50 percent reduction from 2009 levels. For both classical and pops subscriptions, it’s like patrons receive at least one concert free with every package, excluding Box Level classical subscribers.

Students of any age can attend most classical, jazz or pops Orchestra Hall concert free all season long by purchasing a Soundcard for $25. More information is available at dso.org/soundcard. Some restrictions apply.
2015-16 Classical Season Subscription prices

Subscription packages will be sold in groups of 7, 9, 12, 17, 21.
• 7 concert series prices will be $90 for Upper Balcony, $150 for Mid-Balcony and Main Floor B, $300 for Main Floor A and Dress Circle and $525 for the Box Level.
• 9 concert series prices will be $105 for Upper Balcony, $175 for Mid-Balcony and Main Floor B, $350 for Main Floor A and Dress Circle and $800 for the Box Level.
• 12 concert series will be $150/$250/$500/$840
• 17 concert series prices will be $180/$300/$600/$1,400
• 21 concert series will be $240/$400/$800/$1,800
2015-16 Pops Season Subscription prices—Eight concerts for the price of seven!

Subscription packages will be sold in groups of 8 for Coffee, Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday matinee concerts.
• Coffee Concerts – 8-concert series prices will be $144 for Upper Balcony, $224 for Mid-Balcony, $304 for Main Floor B, $336 for Main Floor A, $352 for Dress Circle and $464 for the Box Level.
• Friday nights, Saturday nights or Sunday matinee – 8-concert series prices will be $133 for Upper Balcony, $266 for Mid-Balcony, $336 for Main Floor B, $406 for Main Floor A, $476 for Dress Circle and $735 for the Box Level.
2015-16 Young People’s and Tiny Tots Subscription prices—Buy an adult YPFC subscription and your first child attends Free!
• YPFC Concerts Adult price (incl.one child) – 4-concert series will be $52 for Main Floor B, $72 for Main Floor A, $96 for Dress Circle and $120 for Box Level
• YPFC additional children (25% off) – 4-concert series will be $39 for Main Floor B, $54 for Main Floor A, $72 for Dress Circle and $90 for Box Level
• Tiny Tots Series (General Admission in The Music Box) –4-concert series will be $40 per person

Subscriptions can be purchased by visiting dso.org or calling the DSO’s Box Office at 313-576-5111.

ABOUT THE DSO
Hailed by The New York Times as “cutting edge,” the internationally acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra, is known for trailblazing performances, visionary maestros, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and an unwavering commitment to Detroit. Esteemed conductor Leonard Slatkin, called “America’s Music Director” by the Los Angeles Times, became the 12th Music Director of the DSO during the 2008-09. Acclaimed conductor, arranger, and trumpeter Jeff Tyzik serves as Principal Pops Conductor while celebrated trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard holds the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair. The DSO’s performance schedule includes Classical, Pops, Jazz, Young People’s, Neighborhood concerts, and collaborations with chart-topping musicians from Smokey Robinson to Kid Rock. A commitment to broadcast innovation began in 1922 when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a radio broadcast and continues today with the free Live from Orchestra Hall webcast series. Making its home at historic Orchestra Hall within the Max M. Fisher Music Center, one of America’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, the DSO actively pursues a mission to impact and serve the community through music. For more information visit the newly updated dso.org or download the free DSO to Go mobile app.