Contacts: St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Eric Dundon [email protected], (314) 286-4134 National/International: Nikki Scandalios [email protected], (704) 340-4094

ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2018/2019 CLASSICAL SEASON CALENDAR

ENIGMA VARIATIONS Saturday, September 22, 2018, 8:00pm Sunday, September 23, 2018, 3:00pm

Gemma New, conductor Behzod Abduraimov,

SIBELIUS Finlandia GRIEG KERNIS Musica celestis ELGAR Enigma Variations

Resident Conductor Gemma New leads Opening Weekend with the musical puzzle, Elgar’s Enigma Variations, and Grieg’s Piano Concerto featuring pianist Behzod Abduraimov in his SLSO debut. Join us in the Wightman Grand Foyer at intermission for a champagne toast to the new season!

SHOSTAKOVICH’S 11TH Friday, September 28, 2018, 8:00pm Saturday, September 29, 2018, 8:00pm

Hannu Lintu, conductor Leila Josefowicz, violin

WENNÄKOSKI Flounce (U.S. Premiere) SALONEN Violin Concerto SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 11, "The Year 1905”

At a 2013 performance of Salonen’s Violin Concerto, the Los Angeles Times declared that “Josefowicz easily impresses as a classical player who can rock.” Plus, conductor Hanna Lintu leads Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11, an epic work depicting tragedy to triumph on a massive orchestral landscape.

BEETHOVEN’S PASTORAL Friday, October 5, 2018, 10:30am Saturday, October 6, 2018, 8:00pm

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Bramwell Tovey, conductor Beth Guterman Chu, viola

BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral” BERLIOZ Harold in Italy Presented by the Thomas A. Kooyumjian Family Foundation

Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony expresses the power of nature and the sounds of a serene landscape. Then SLSO’s Principal Viola Beth Guterman Chu shines as soloist in Berlioz’s Harold in Italy, describing the experiences of a wandering character in the Italian countryside.

SCHEHERAZADE Friday, October 12, 2018, 8:00pm Saturday, October 13, 2018, 8:00pm

Gustavo Gimeno, conductor Javier Perianes, piano

LIGETI Concert Românesc BARTOK Piano Concerto No. 3 RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Scheherazade

Pianist Javier Perianes makes his SLSO debut performing Bartók’s final work, his Piano Concert No. 3. Conductor Gustavo Gimeno leads the SLSO in Rimsky-Korsakov’s mesmerizing Scheherazade unveiling exciting tales of bravery and suspense. ______

BEETHOVEN’S TRIPLE CONCERTO Friday, October 19, 2018, 8:00pm Saturday, October 20, 2018, 8:00pm Sunday, October 21, 2018 3:00pm

Jun Märkl, conductor Elizabeth Joy Roe, piano Celeste Golden Boyer, violin Melissa Brooks, cello

BEETHOVEN Triple Concerto WAGNER The Ring: An Orchestral Journey Presented by the Thomas A. Kooyumjian Family Foundation

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SLSO musicians Celeste Golden Boyer and Melissa Brooks join the “brilliant” (The New York Times) Elizabeth Joy Roe in Beethoven’s Triple Concerto. Conductor Jun Märkl leads music from Wagner's epic Ring Cycle including the iconic "Ride of the Valkyries."

HADYN’S CREATION Saturday, October 27, 2018, 8:00pm Sunday, October 28, 2018, 3:00pm

Nicholas McGegan, conductor Yulia Van Doren, soprano Robin Tritschler, tenor Douglas Williams, bass-baritone St. Louis Symphony Chorus Amy Kaiser, director

HAYDN The Creation

St. Louis favorite Nicholas McGegan leads the SLSO and Chorus alongside internationally-renowned vocalists in Haydn’s most beloved work and personal statement of faith, The Creation.

POEM OF ECSTASY Saturday, November 10, 2018, 8:00pm Sunday, November 11, 2018, 3:00pm

Stéphane Denève, conductor Kelley O’Connor, mezzo-soprano

BERLIOZ Selections from Romeo and Juliet LIEBERSON Neruda Songs WAGNER Prelude to Tristan and Isolde SCRIABIN Poem of Ecstasy

Music Director Designate Stéphane Denève leads the SLSO in Scriabin’s Poem of Ecstasy expressing a “celebration of a collective joy” in an exuberant orchestration. Plus, the orchestra performs two stories of passion and love with selections from Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde and Berlioz’s Romeo and Juliet.

COPLAND’S THIRD Friday, November 16, 2018, 10:30am Saturday, November 17, 2018, 8:00pm

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Cristian Măcelaru, conductor Andrew Cuneo,

BARBER Medea's Meditation and Dance of Vengeance ROUSE Bassoon Concerto (World Premiere) COPLAND Symphony No. 3

Cristian Macelaru conducts the SLSO in Copland’s Third Symphony and Principal Bassoon Andrew Cuneo performs the world premiere of Rouse’s Bassoon Concerto, commissioned by the SLSO.

BELL PERFORMS BRUCH Friday, November 23, 2018 8:00pm Saturday, November 24, 2018 8:00pm Sunday, November 25, 2018 3:00pm

Michael Francis, conductor Joshua Bell, violin

ELGAR In the South (Alassio) BRUCH Violin Concerto No. 1 VAUGHAN WILLIAMS A London Symphony (Symphony No. 2) Presented by the Thomas A. Kooyumjian Family Foundation

Critically-acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell takes the stage for Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1, a work displaying passionate technical bravado.

BRUCKNER‘S NINTH Friday, November 30, 2018, 10:30am Saturday, December 1, 2018, 8:00pm

John Storgårds, conductor Ingrid Fliter, piano

MENDELSSOHN Piano Concerto No. 1 BRUCKNER Symphony No. 9

Conductor John Storgårds leads Bruckner’s Ninth and final symphony, filled with monumental harmonies and compelling contrasts. ______

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MESSIAH Friday, December 7, 2018, 8:00pm Saturday, December 8, 2018, 8:00pm Sunday, December 9, 2018, 3:00pm

Matthew Halls, conductor Karina Gauvin, soprano Krisztina Szabó, mezzo-soprano Nicholas Phan, tenor William Berger, baritone St. Louis Symphony Chorus Amy Kaiser, director

HANDEL Messiah

Shouts of joy from the "Hallelujah Chorus" will put you in the holiday spirit with the SLSO and Chorus performing one of the most famous choral masterpieces of all time, Handel’s Messiah. ______

BEETHOVEN AND SCHUMANN Friday, January 18, 2019, 10:30am Saturday, January 19, 2019, 8:00pm

Karina Canellakis, conductor Renaud Capuçon, violin

BEETHOVEN Leonore Overture No. 3 SCHUMANN Violin Concerto R. STRAUSS Symphonic Fantasy from Die Frau ohne Schatten HINDEMITH Symphonic Metamorphosis

Deemed by the Chicago Tribune as playing with a “panache, sensitivity and sizzling virtuosity,” violinist Renaud Capuçon joins the SLSO performing Schumann’s impressive, yet somber Violin Concerto.

MENDELSSOHN’S SCOTTISH Friday, February 1, 2019, 8:00pm Saturday, February 2, 2019, 8:00pm

Matthias Pintscher, conductor Kirill Gerstein, piano

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RACHMANINOFF The Isle of the Dead SCRIABIN Piano Concerto MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 3, "Scottish"

The sensations of a lively Scottish atmosphere are portrayed in Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony, and pianist Kirill Gerstein takes the stage in Scriabin’s only concerto.

MOZART AND BRAHMS Friday, February 8, 2019, 10:30am Saturday, February 9, 2019, 8:00pm Sunday, February 10, 2019, 3:00pm

Stéphane Denève, conductor David Halen, violin Members of the St Louis Symphony Chorus Amy Kaiser, director MOZART Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525 VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Serenade to Music VAUGHAN WILLIAMS The Lark Ascending BRAHMS Symphony No. 2

Representing a melodic genius, Brahms’ Second Symphony is full of vitality when performed by the SLSO under the baton of Music Director Designate Stéphane Denève. The SLSO performs a familiar favorite with Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik, a work full of sublime beauty.

DENÈVE CONDUCTS PROKOFIEV Friday, February 15, 2019, 8:00pm Saturday, February 16, 2019, 8:00pm

Stéphane Denève, conductor Yefim Bronfman, piano St. Louis Symphony Chorus Amy Kaiser, director

PROKOFIEV/DENÈVE Cinderella Suite PROKOFIEV Piano Concerto No. 2 PROKOFIEV Alexander Nevsky

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Music Director Designate Stéphane Denève leads a tour-de-force program devoted to Russian composer, Sergei Prokofiev, featuring the cinematic score, Alexander Nevsky.

MAHLER’S NINTH Saturday, March 2, 2019, 8:00pm Sunday, March 3, 2019, 3:00pm

Peter Oundjian, conductor Lars Vogt, piano

MOZART Piano Concerto No. 21, K. 467, “Elvira Madigan” MAHLER Symphony No. 9

One of Mahler’s most deeply personal scores unfolds in his Ninth Symphony. Peter Oundjian returns to conduct a work of extraordinary and lyrical beauty combined with shocking surprises.

BRAHMS’ GERMAN REQUIEM Saturday, March 9, 2019, 8:00pm Sunday, March 10, 2019, 3:00pm

Nathalie Stutzmann, conductor Siobhan Stagg, soprano Stephen Powell, baritone St. Louis Symphony Chorus Amy Kaiser, director

STRAVINSKY Funeral Song BRAHMS A German Requiem

One of Brahms’ greatest works is brought to life with conductor Nathalie Stuztmann leading the SLSO and Chorus in a moving, reflective work from the soaring strings to the monumental choral writing.

BEETHOVEN’S VIOLIN CONCERTO Friday, March 15, 2019, 8:00pm Saturday, March 16, 2019, 8:00pm Sunday, March 17, 2019, 3:00pm

Anthony Marwood, leader and violin

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BEETHOVEN Romance No. 2 for Violin and Orchestra HAYDN Symphony No. 44, “Trauer” BEETHOVEN Violin Concerto

Violinist Anthony Marwood steps forward as leader and soloist for Beethoven’s spellbinding Violin Concerto.

FRANCK’S D MINOR Friday, March 22, 2019, 10:30am Saturday, March 23, 2019, 8:00pm

Gilbert Varga, conductor Daniel Müller-Schott, cello

DUKAS The Sorcerer’s Apprentice LALO FRANCK Symphony in D minor

Gilbert Varga conducts the SLSO in a capricious, energetic and warm performance of Franck’s Symphony in D minor and a certain playful magic with Dukas’ mischievous The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

TCHAIKOVSKY’S VIOLIN CONCERTO Friday, March 29, 2019, 8:00pm Saturday, March 30, 2019, 8:00pm Sunday, March 31, 2019, 3:00pm

Jakub Hrůša, conductor Karen Gomyo, violin

BARTÓK The Miraculous Mandarin Suite TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 9

Described by the St. Louis Post Dispatch as “dazzling,” Karen Gomyo returns to perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, a work full of tuneful melodies and an impressive virtuosic display for soloist and orchestra.

MOZART AND STRAUSS Friday, April 5, 2019, 10:30am Saturday, April 6, 2019, 8:00pm Sunday, April 7, 2019, 3:00pm

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Gemma New, conductor Mark Sparks, flute Allegra Lilly, harp

ADÈS Three Studies from Couperin MOZART Concerto for Flute and Harp, K. 299 R. STRAUSS Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme Suite

SLSO Principals Mark Sparks and Allegra Lilly join together to perform Mozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto, a melodic work full of light-hearted wonder.

SLATKIN CONDUCTS BERNSTEIN Saturday, April 27, 2019, 8:00pm Sunday, April 28, 2019, 3:00pm

Leonard Slatkin, conductor Olga Kern, piano Sasha Cooke, mezzo-soprano St. Louis Symphony Chorus Amy Kaiser, director St. Louis Children’s Choirs Barbara Berner, Artistic Director

LOIACONO Smothered by Sky RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 1 BERNSTEIN Symphony No. 3, “Kaddish”

Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin leads Bernstein’s emotional Symphony No. 3, “Kaddish,” dedicated to the 35th president. Gold medalist at the prestigious Van Cliburn Piano Competition, Olga Kern, performs Rachmaninoff’s virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 1.

TCHAIKOVSKY’S SIXTH Friday, May 3, 2019, 10:30am Saturday, May 4, 2019, 8:00pm

Leonard Slatkin, conductor Hila Plitmann, soprano

BARBER Symphony No. 1

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BEAL New Song Cycle (World Premiere) TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6, "Pathétique” Presented by Mary Pillsbury

Celebrating 50 years of working with the SLSO, Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin returns to lead Tchaikovsky’s passionate Sixth Symphony and a special commission dedicated to Slatkin in celebration of his legacy with the SLSO.

SYMPHONIE FANTASTIQUE Friday, May 10, 2019 8:00pm Saturday, May 11, 2019, 8:00pm Sunday, May 12, 2019, 3:00pm

Stéphane Denève, conductor Rinat Shaham, mezzo-soprano

SALONEN RAVEL Shéhérazade BERLIOZ Symphonie fantastique

Music Director Designate Stéphane Denève and the SLSO close the season with Berlioz’s most celebrated work and an orchestral tour-de-force, Symphonie fantastique.

PROGRAMS, DATES, AND ARTISTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

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