Ode to Joy Your Philadelphia Orchestra SPRING 2020 IMPACT REPORT
“We want to share the joy of music, the impact and the power of music, the music that we believe in. This is a journey, and we are the grateful caretakers of this magnificent orchestra.”
—Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music Director Walter and Leonore Annenberg Chair
We were inspired to give this issue of your Impact Report a theme: Ode to Joy. Of course, the famous theme from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony was an inspiration, but more broadly we want this issue to demonstrate how your generous support helps The Philadelphia Orchestra bring the joy of music to people around the world. Thank you! Music that Transforms
A Philadelphia Orchestra season features performances of hundreds of musical works, ranging from beloved classics to new commissions. What ties this vast array of pieces together is their shared power to transform audience members and the musicians on stage.
Every season includes several monumental works that demand something special from the Orchestra. They are symphonies, operas, and choral works that, in some cases, are rarely performed because of the special preparation required.
This season’s transformative works include Richard Strauss’s highly charged opera Elektra, Gershwin’s beloved classic Porgy and Bess, Ravel’s enchanting fairy tale opera L’Enfant et les sortilèges, Bach’s epic Mass in B minor, and Mahler’s ever-popular Symphony No. 5.
“There is this sense of awe,” said Yannick about the Mass in B minor, “and yet it’s about our own relationship with the divine or anything that is spiritual—the harmony of the world. I think that’s the purpose of doing this in our concert hall: being together with the sheer beauty of this music and communicating and living together in the better space that this piece leads us to aspire to.”
About the Mahler Symphony, Yannick remarked: “For any conductor, and I would also say many orchestra players, Mahler’s Fifth Symphony represents the ultimate joy of being in an orchestra. It’s the quintessential Mahler. I had the great fortune to conduct this work very early on in my relationship with The Philadelphia Orchestra. My first rehearsal as music director designate in October 2010 started with those first few notes. I think this memory will be for all my life in my brain, but most importantly in my heart and in my soul.”
The wonderful thing about a Philadelphia Orchestra season is that there is something for everyone to enjoy. Future seasons will bring even more transformative music to the Verizon Hall stage, and it is your support that helps make this possible. Thank you. 2019 Your Orchestra in Asia
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s longstanding tradition of and flavors of Japan. They also enjoyed numerous international touring continued last autumn with Music opportunities to interact with Orchestra musicians, which Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin leading the 2019 Tour of many travelers considered to be the highlight of the trip. Asia, featuring eight concerts in five cities: Taipei, When it comes to exporting cultural exchange, the Taiwan; Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan; and Incheon and Seoul, Orchestra performs in great concert halls around the South Korea. Audiences were treated to performances world. When we are in those cities, we also spend time of such works as Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in local schools, give master classes, perform pop-up with Haochen Zhang, Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony, concerts in iconic locations, and work side-by-side with Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with Lisa Batiashvili, local musicians, connecting with communities that would Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, and Rachmaninoff’s Piano otherwise not be able to hear the Orchestra. Concerto No. 1 with Seoul-born Seong-Jin Cho. “We are proud to be Your Philadelphia Orchestra—not A group of 25 Orchestra supporters traveled to hear the just in our beloved Philadelphia communities and across concerts in Kyoto and Tokyo and to take in the sights the country, but also around the globe,” said Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
Yannick sits on the podium to listen to Haochen Zhang’s encore, Brahms’s Yannick shares a laugh while introducing the encore in Incheon, with the help of Intermezzo, Op. 118, No. 2, in Kyoto. South Korea-born Principal Viola Choong-Jin Chang.
Yannick expresses his admiration for Lisa Batiashvili’s performance in Tokyo. Yannick presents flowers to English horn player Elizabeth Masoudnia for her wonderful solo in the Largo of the “New World” Symphony in Taipei.
Seong-Jin Cho, Yannick, and the Orchestra acknowledge Principal Bassoon Daniel Matsukawa gave a master A string quartet of Orchestra musicians performed the applause at the Seoul Arts Center. class and a recital at Tokyo’s Sumida Tryphony Hall a pop-up concert in the lobby of Tokyo’s on his free day. Metropolitan Theatre in support of disaster relief efforts for those affected by the recent typhoons. Community Connections
On January 20, The Philadelphia Orchestra, in “We are honored to participate in such an inspirational partnership with Girard College and Global Citizen’s day of service with members of our beloved Philadelphia Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, communities,” said Philadelphia Orchestra President and presented its 30th annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Tribute CEO Matías Tarnopolsky. “We celebrate Dr. King’s vision Concert at the Girard College Chapel. Led by Music of a better world through the power of music, and music’s Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the concert concluded power to bring out the best in people and to unite us all.” the Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, the largest King Day of Service event in the The concert was generously presented by PECO, with country. All 2,500 free tickets were claimed, and for those additional support from the Annenberg Foundation and unable to attend in person the concert was broadcast live the National Endowment for the Arts. on WRTI 90.1 FM. Free concerts throughout Greater Philadelphia are a The 90-minute program showcased works by African- hallmark of the Orchestra’s commitment to make music American composers such as Richard Smallwood’s “Total accessible to all who wish to enjoy it. We are proud to Praise” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” performed by the present the following Free Neighborhood Chamber Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Concerts this season: Arts choir; and Umoja, Anthem for Unity by Valerie Sunday, February 16, 2020 Coleman, a work premiered by the Orchestra earlier this Cannstatter Volkfest-Verein (Northeast Philadelphia) season. In addition, the concert included Barber’s Adagio Sunday, March 1, 2020 for Strings with a recitation of excerpts from Dr. King’s NovaCare Complex (South Philadelphia), full orchestra “I Have a Dream” speech by Charlotte Blake Alston, a sensory-friendly concert stirring arrangement that has become an event staple for Sunday, April 19, 2020 the past 15 years; and the third movement from Lalo’s Germantown Friends School (Northwest Philadelphia) Cello Concerto featuring the Philadelphia Orchestra Sunday, May 10, 2020 debut of cellist Sterling Elliot, winner of the 2019 National NextFab (Kensington) Sphinx Competition, which offers young Black and Sunday, June 28, 2020 Latinx musicians the chance to perform with established East Passyunk Singing Fountain (South Philadelphia) ensembles. Sunday, July 2, 2020 Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing (Old City) Sunday, July 26, 2020 The Philadelphia Zoo (Fairmount) Free Neighborhood Concerts by the Numbers A snapshot of our 2018–19 series
7 FREE CONCERTS 1,087 scheduled WATER ICE orders
5,684 18 TICKETS SQUARE redeemed MILES covered 2
FULL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA 6 ENSEMBLES CONCERTS 1,942 ORCHESTRA T-SHIRTS handed out 6 INSTRUMENTS COMMUNITY in the PARTNERS HANDS-ON 44 SAFARI
1 SENSORY- FRIENDLY TORRENTIAL Performance DOWNPOUR 1at Penn’s Landing 7BOUNCE HOUSE rentals Meet-up with Montréalais
Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal Save the Date for these Upcoming Donor Events completed their first U.S. Tour on The Philadelphia Orchestra offers an array of special events each December 1 with a concert in season. The following events are scheduled between March 1 and June Verizon Hall featuring a program 30, 2020. For more information or to make a reservation, contact the with acclaimed mezzo-soprano Annual Fund office at 215.893.3151 or [email protected]. Joyce DiDonato. Appointed artistic director and principal conductor Meet the Artists Salon Event Backstage Tour (Donors $500+) of the Montreal-based ensemble (Donors $1,500+) April 24, 2020, 6:15–7 PM in 2000, Yannick’s contract Featuring the artists of Porgy and Bess March 6, 2020, 5:30–7:30 PM Volunteer Committees Lecture was recently renewed for life, a Luncheon fitting tribute to a vibrant musical Closed Rehearsal Event (Donors May 8, 2020 $1,500+) partnership. Tickets available for purchase March 19, 2020 During their visit to Philadelphia, 8:30 AM Breakfast Backstage Tour (Donors $500+) 10:30 AM Rehearsal string players of all ages had the May 14, 2020, 5:45–6:30 PM special opportunity to perform Backstage Tour (Donors $500+) Open Rehearsal alongside members of The March 21, 2020, 6:15–7 PM May 28, 2020, 10:30 AM Philadelphia Orchestra and the Carnegie Hall Patron Day Trip Yuja Wang and the Brahms Piano Orchestre Métropolitain in a (Donors $7,500+) Concertos community PlayIN led by Yannick in April 3, 2020 Verizon Hall. The PlayIN was part Volunteer Committees Morning Volunteer Committees Lecture of an exciting weekend of events Musicale Luncheon featuring business partners and civic April 16, 2020 May 29, 2020 Tickets available for purchase leaders from Montreal. Tickets available for purchase Volunteer Committees The Philadelphia Orchestra Through international touring Lecture Luncheon Annual Golf Classic and partnerships at home, The April 17, 2020 June 16, 2020 Philadelphia Orchestra has Tickets available for purchase Tickets available for purchase firmly established its position as a prominent representative of Jazz It Up the City of Philadelphia and the April 17, 2020, 6:30–9:00 PM Tickets available for purchase Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Member Spotlight: Ronald Mintz and Jessica Cahen
hometown orchestra an integral part of their lives. “It is a privilege to attend Philadelphia Orchestra concerts,” says Ron. “We are enthralled with the quality and breadth of the performances, the ‘Philadelphia Sound,’ the energy that Yannick brings to each and every concert, and the caliber of the guest conductors and artists.”
As their passion for the music deepened, so, too, did their philanthropic involvement. Ron and Jess joined the Maestros Circle in 2017, and the following year they participated in the Orchestra’s Patron Tour to Israel. During the tour they had numerous occasions to meet Philadelphia Orchestra musicians and to watch them engage in programs that touched the lives of young music students. Ronald Mintz and Jessica Cahen consider themselves “Getting to know Orchestra musicians has been a special fortunate that world-class symphony orchestras have bonus for us,” says Jess. “Everyone in the audience knows been a consistent presence in their lives. Career and respects their musical talents, but learning more about moves have taken Ron and Jess to New York, San who they are and the many ways they serve our community Francisco, and Boston, where they always enjoyed has been so meaningful for Ron and me.” attending orchestra concerts when their busy schedules allowed. This season, Ron and Jess joined the new Presenters Circle support group. The Philadelphia Orchestra is pleased However, it was a move to Philadelphia 18 years to welcome Ron and Jess as new members and to thank ago—and their first Philadelphia Orchestra concert them for their extraordinary enthusiasm and support. experience—that inspired them to make their adopted
Sound All Around
Our Sound All Around series is one way we introduce children to the Orchestra family. Each concert introduces the audience to a member of the string, woodwind, brass, or percussion family, and the final concert features all the musicians from the season playing together in an ensemble.
For a fourth season, we specifically welcome children with sensory sensitivities and their families to our relaxed sensory-friendly Saturday performances. Our aim is to create a safe and accepting environment where children, including those on the autism spectrum and with other developmental disabilities, and their families can experience live music together. Welcome Philippe Tondre as Principal Oboe
Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra Welcome Philippe Tondre as Principal Oboe
Following an international audition process, The Philadelphia Orchestra is pleased to announce the appointment of Philippe Tondre as principal oboe (Samuel S. Fels chair) beginning in the 2020–21 season on September 14, 2020. He will become the Orchestra’s eighth principal oboe in 120 years.
“We are beyond excited to have the uniquely gifted Philippe Tondre join our Orchestra family,” said Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. “As we continue to strive to bring The Philadelphia Orchestra to audiences around the world, we anticipate his exciting artistic contributions to our work.”
Philippe Tondre studied in Paris at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique with David Walter and Jacques Tys and further studied with Maurice Bourgue. He is currently principal oboe of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe (since March 2019), the SWR Symphonieorchester (since January 2009), the Budapest Festival Orchestra (since September 2014), the Mito Chamber Orchestra (since January 2012), and the Saito Kinen Orchestra (since January 2012). Tondre is also a professor at the Musikhochschule Saarbrücken, where he started in 2015.
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 121st Season: Our World Now
“When will you announce the next season?” We’ve been hearing from many of you with this question lately, which shows how much you care about classical music and about Your Philadelphia Orchestra. The big announcement will occur on Tuesday, March 24. We hope you will join us at 12:00 PM in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center or via the live webcast at www.philorch.org/launch. Contact us to RSVP at 215.893.3151 or [email protected].
You have received this Philadelphia Orchestra Impact Report because of your generous philanthropic support. If you would like to change your contact preferences, or stop receiving this report, please fill out the enclosed card and mail back to us in the pre-paid envelope provided. On the reverse side, please share with us your favorite memory and what inspires you to support Your Philadelphia Orchestra. You can also contact us at 215.893.3151 or [email protected] if you have questions.
Photo Credits: Pete Checchia, Jeff Fusco, François Goupil, Jessica Griffin, Matthew Hall, Todd Rosenberg, Will Figg