Season 2015-2016 The Philadelphia Orchestra Thursday, April 14, at 8:00 Friday, April 15, at 2:00 Saturday, April 16, at 8:00 Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor Ricardo Morales Clarinet Leshnoff Clarinet Concerto (“Nekudim”) I. Slow II. : Chesed, Fast III. Slow World premiere—Commissioned by The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Santa Barbara Symphony These performances are made possible in part by the Presser Foundation. The April 14 concert is sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. John Glick. 224 Story Title The Philadelphia Orchestra Jessica Griffin The Philadelphia Orchestra Orchestra also reaches Carnegie Hall and the is one of the preeminent thousands of listeners on the Kennedy Center while also orchestras in the world, radio with weekly Sunday enjoying summer residencies renowned for its distinctive afternoon broadcasts on in Saratoga Springs, New sound, desired for its WRTI-FM. York, and Vail, Colorado. keen ability to capture the Philadelphia is home and The Philadelphia Orchestra hearts and imaginations the Orchestra nurtures an of audiences, and admired serves as a catalyst for important relationship with for a legacy of imagination cultural activity across patrons who support the and innovation on and off Philadelphia’s many main season at the Kimmel the concert stage. The communities, as it builds an Orchestra is transforming its Center, and also with those offstage presence as strong rich tradition of achievement, who enjoy the Orchestra’s as its onstage one. The sustaining the highest area performances at the Orchestra’s award-winning level of artistic quality, but Mann Center, Penn’s Landing, Collaborative Learning also challenging—and and other cultural, civic, initiatives engage over exceeding—that level by and learning venues. The 50,000 students, families, creating powerful musical Orchestra maintains a strong and community members experiences for audiences at commitment to collaborations through programs such as home and around the world. with cultural and community PlayINs, side-by-sides, PopUp organizations on a regional concerts, free Neighborhood Music Director Yannick and national level. Concerts, School Concerts, Nézet-Séguin’s highly collaborative style, deeply- Through concerts, tours, and residency work in rooted musical curiosity, residencies, presentations, Philadelphia and abroad. and boundless enthusiasm, and recordings, the Orchestra The Orchestra’s musicians, paired with a fresh approach is a global ambassador for in their own dedicated to orchestral programming, Philadelphia and for the roles as teachers, coaches, have been heralded by United States. Having been and mentors, serve a key critics and audiences alike the first American orchestra role in growing young since his inaugural season in to perform in China, in 1973 musician talent and a love 2012. Under his leadership at the request of President of classical music, nurturing the Orchestra returned to Nixon, The Philadelphia and celebrating the wealth recording, with two celebrated Orchestra today boasts a new of musicianship in the CDs on the prestigious partnership with the National Philadelphia region. For Deutsche Grammophon Centre for the Performing more information on The label, continuing its history Arts in Beijing. The ensemble Philadelphia Orchestra, of recording success. The annually performs at please visit www.philorch.org. 6 Music Director Chris Lee Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who holds the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Chair, is an inspired leader of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and he has renewed his commitment to the ensemble through the 2021-22 season. His highly collaborative style, deeply rooted musical curiosity, and boundless enthusiasm, paired with a fresh approach to orchestral programming, have been heralded by critics and audiences alike. The New York Times has called him “phenomenal,” adding that under his baton, “the ensemble, famous for its glowing strings and homogenous richness, has never sounded better.” Highlights of his fourth season include a year-long exploration of works that exemplify the famous Philadelphia Sound, including Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 and other pieces premiered by the Orchestra; a Music of Vienna Festival; and the continuation of a commissioning project for principal players. Yannick has established himself as a musical leader of the highest caliber and one of the most thrilling talents of his generation. He has been music director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic since 2008 and artistic director and principal conductor of Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain since 2000. He also continues to enjoy a close relationship with the London Philharmonic, of which he was principal guest conductor. He has made wildly successful appearances with the world’s most revered ensembles, and he has conducted critically acclaimed performances at many of the leading opera houses. Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Deutsche Grammophon (DG) enjoy a long-term collaboration. Under his leadership The Philadelphia Orchestra returned to recording with two CDs on that label; the second, Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with pianist Daniil Trifonov, was released in August 2015. He continues fruitful recording relationships with the Rotterdam Philharmonic on DG, EMI Classics, and BIS Records; the London Philharmonic and Choir for the LPO label; and the Orchestre Métropolitain for ATMA Classique. A native of Montreal, Yannick studied at that city’s Conservatory of Music and continued lessons with renowned conductor Carlo Maria Giulini and with Joseph Flummerfelt at Westminster Choir College. Among Yannick’s honors are appointments as Companion of the Order of Canada and Officer of the National Order of Quebec, a Royal Philharmonic Society Award, Canada’s National Arts Centre Award, the Prix Denise-Pelletier, Musical America’s 2016 Artist of the Year, and honorary doctorates from the University of Quebec, the Curtis Institute of Music, and Westminster Choir College. To read Yannick’s full bio, please visit www.philorch.org/conductor. 26 Soloist Ricardo Morales is one of the most sought after clarinetists of today. He joined The Philadelphia Orchestra as principal clarinet in 2003 and holds the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Chair. Prior to his Philadelphia appointment he was principal clarinet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, a position he assumed at the age of 21. He has performed as guest principal clarinet several times with the New York Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony, and at the invitation of Simon Rattle performed as guest principal clarinet with the Berlin Philharmonic. He also performs as principal clarinet with the Saito Kinen Festival Orchestra, at the invitation of Seiji Ozawa. A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mr. Morales began lessons at the Escuela Libre de Musica along with his five siblings, who are all distinguished musicians. He continued his studies at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and Indiana University, where he received his Artist Diploma. He has been a featured soloist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; the Chicago, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Flemish Radio symphonies; and the Seoul Philharmonic, among others. He made his solo debut with The Philadelphia Orchestra in 2004 and has since performed as soloist on numerous occasions. An active chamber musician, he has performed in the MET Chamber Ensemble series at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall; at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, the Seattle Chamber Music Summer Festival, and the Saratoga Chamber Music Festival; on NBC’s The Today Show; and with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Mr. Morales is highly sought after for his recitals and master classes, which have taken him throughout North America and Europe. In addition he currently serves on the faculty of Temple University. Mr. Morales’s debut solo recording, French Portraits, is available on Boston Records. His recent recordings include performances with the Kalichstein-Laredo- Robinson Trio and with the Pacifica Quartet, which was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award. He has joined forces with master acoustician and instrument maker Morrie Backun to create MoBa, a company of top-of- the line clarinets and clarinet accessories, including mouthpieces, bells, and barrels. 32 The Music Clarinet Concerto (“Nekudim”) Erica Abbey Photography Jonathan Leshnoff’s music combines arching lyricism with transparent textures, rhythmic dynamism, and sophisticated structural design. In recent years he has consistently been listed among the most frequently performed living composers in America: His works have been performed by more than 50 orchestras worldwide. The Washington Post has called Leshnoff, who is professor of music at Towson University in Baltimore, one of the “gifted young composers” of our time. Jonathan Leshnoff An Affinity for ConcertosLeshnoff’s catalog includes Born in New Brunswick, more than 50 works, including three symphonies, 10 New Jersey, September 8, concertos, four string quartets, and three oratorios. He 1973 has composed on commission from Carnegie Hall and Now living in Baltimore from the orchestras of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Atlanta, Nashville, and Kansas City. Among the soloists he has written for are violinist Gil Shaham, guitarist Manuel Barrueco, pianist Orly Shaham, and Philadelphia Principal Flute Jeffrey Khaner. Naxos has released three discs of his works on its American Classics label, including recordings of his Violin Concerto (with Charles Wetherbee and the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra), the