April/May 2013 The Inaugural Season 2 From the President J.D. Scott Dear Friends: What a tremendous 2012-13 season it’s been. You have welcomed Yannick with open arms and warm hearts, not only to the Kimmel Center but to the city. From Verizon Hall to Carnegie Hall, audiences and critics alike have been unanimous in praising the unique bond between him and the Orchestra, and many have remarked that they believe the ensemble has never sounded better. There have been many incredible moments already this year, and there are still more to come, from two weeks with our very special friend Simon Rattle, to Yannick’s return with concerts that feature the brilliant violinists Hilary Hahn and Gil Shaham. There’s still time to witness the magic firsthand and introduce your friends to the Orchestra! Yannick has designed a remarkable 2013-14 season, of which he is especially proud. He has chosen programs that in particular showcase the virtuosity of the Orchestra musicians. As Yannick has said, “The fabric of the season is really woven together to create a sense of continuity. We have put together a great journey.” When we combine the fireworks produced by this partnership between Yannick and the Orchestra with the thoughtfully-curated 2013-14 season, the stars will be aligned for exemplary artistry on the stage. I encourage you to become part of the journey, by renewing your subscription early, or becoming a new subscriber before this season ends. You can choose from a traditional subscription, or for those who enjoy making their own selections, you can create your own six- concert package. Subscribers also receive great benefits, including the opportunity to add on single tickets before they go on sale to the general public at up to 40% off, flexible ticket exchanges, and discounted parking. Many concerts do sell out so the only way to guarantee that you’ll be able to see the performances you want is to subscribe now. Visit www.philorch.org to learn all about the new season and how you can subscribe. The upcoming summer promises to be one that is full of meaningful musical experiences as the Orchestra travels from Philadelphia to China, Vail, and Saratoga. Please follow us online, or join us if your plans allow. On a reflective note of gratitude, we are all still mourning the passing of former Music Director Wolfgang Sawallisch this past February. A loss such as this deeply affects our artistic and musical community— not just here in Philadelphia but around the world. Maestro Sawallisch was a man of profound artistry and unwavering yet quiet dedication. We will continue to honor his rich legacy as would befit him—by making beautiful and inspired music that touches the hearts and minds of all those who will hear it. Yours in Music, Allison Vulgamore President & CEO 4 Music Director Jessica Griffin Yannick Nézet-Séguin triumphantly opened his inaugural season as the eighth music director of The Philadelphia Orchestra in the fall of 2012. From the Orchestra’s home in Verizon Hall to the Carnegie Hall stage, 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 Yannick “phenomenal,” adding that under his baton, “the ensemble, famous for its glowing strings and homogenous richness, has never sounded better.” Over the past decade, Yannick has established himself as a musical leader of the highest caliber and one of the most exciting talents of his generation. Since 2008 he has been music director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic and principal guest conductor of the London Philharmonic, and since 2000 artistic director and principal conductor of Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain. He has appeared with such revered ensembles as the Vienna and Berlin philharmonics; the Boston Symphony; the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia; the Dresden Staatskapelle; the Chamber Orchestra of Europe; and the major Canadian orchestras. His talents extend beyond symphonic music into opera and choral music, leading acclaimed performances at the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, London’s Royal Opera House, and the Salzburg Festival. In February 2013, following the July 2012 announcement of a major long-term collaboration between Yannick and Deutsch Grammophon, the Orchestra announced a recording project with the label, in which Yannick and the Orchestra will record Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. His discography with the Rotterdam Philharmonic for BIS Records and EMI/Virgin includes an Edison Award-winning album of Ravel’s orchestral works. He has also recorded several award-winning albums with the Orchestre Métropolitain for ATMA Classique. A native of Montreal, Yannick studied at that city’s Conservatory of Music and continued studies with renowned conductor Carlo Maria Giulini and with Joseph Flummerfelt at Westminster Choir College. In 2012 Yannick was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honors. His other honors include Canada’s National Arts Centre Award; a Royal Philharmonic Society Award; the Prix Denise-Pelletier, the highest distinction for the arts in Quebec; and an honorary doctorate by the University of Quebec in Montreal. To read Yannick’s full bio, please visit www.philorch.org/conductor. 6 The Philadelphia Orchestra 2012-2013 Season Yannick Nézet-Séguin Yumi Ninomiya Scott David Fay Music Director Dmitri Levin Duane Rosengard Walter and Leonore Annenberg Boris Balter Robert Kesselman Chair William Polk Some members of the string Wolfgang Sawallisch Violas sections voluntarily rotate Conductor Laureate Choong-Jin Chang, Principal seating on a periodic basis. Charles Dutoit Ruth and A. Morris Williams Conductor Laureate Chair Flutes Cristian Macelaru Kirsten Johnson, Associate Jeffrey Khaner, Principal Assistant Conductor Principal Paul and Barbara Henkels Kerri Ryan, Assistant Principal Chair First Violins Judy Geist David Cramer, Associate David Kim, Concertmaster Renard Edwards Principal Dr. Benjamin Rush Chair Anna Marie Ahn Petersen Rachelle and Ronald Juliette Kang, First Associate Piasecki Family Chair Kaiserman Chair Concertmaster David Nicastro Loren N. Lind Joseph and Marie Field Chair Burchard Tang Kazuo Tokito, Piccolo Marc Rovetti, Acting Che-Hung Chen Associate Concertmaster Rachel Ku Oboes Amy Oshiro-Morales, Acting Marvin Moon Richard Woodhams, Principal Assistant Concertmaster Jonathan Chu Samuel S. Fels Chair Herbert Light Peter Smith, Associate Larry A. Grika Chair Cellos Principal Barbara Govatos Hai-Ye Ni, Principal Jonathan Blumenfeld Wilson H. and Barbara B. Taylor Albert and Mildred Switky Edwin Tuttle Chair Chair Chair Elizabeth Starr Masoudnia, English Jonathan Beiler Yumi Kendall, Acting Associate Horn Hirono Oka Principal Joanne T. Greenspun Chair Richard Amoroso Wendy and Derek Pew Robert and Lynne Pollack Foundation Chair Clarinets Chair John Koen, Acting Assistant Ricardo Morales, Principal Yayoi Numazawa Principal Leslie Miller and Richard Jason De Pue Richard Harlow Worley Chair Lisa-Beth Lambert Gloria de Pasquale Samuel Caviezel, Associate Jennifer Haas Orton P. and Noël S. Jackson Principal Miyo Curnow Chair Sarah and Frank Coulson Elina Kalendareva Kathryn Picht Read Chair Daniel Han Winifred and Samuel Mayes Chair Raoul Querze Noah Geller* Robert Cafaro Peter M. Joseph and Susan Volunteer Committees Chair Rittenhouse Joseph Chair Second Violins Ohad Bar-David Paul R. Demers, Bass Clarinet Kimberly Fisher, Principal Catherine R. and Anthony A. Peter A. Benoliel Chair Clifton Chair Bassoons Paul Roby, Associate Derek Barnes Daniel Matsukawa, Principal Principal Mollie and Frank Slattery Richard M. Klein Chair Sandra and David Marshall Chair Mark Gigliotti, Co-Principal Chair Alex Veltman Angela Anderson Dara Morales, Assistant Holly Blake, Contrabassoon Principal Basses Anne M. Buxton Chair Harold Robinson, Principal Horns Philip Kates Carole and Emilio Gravagno Jennifer Montone, Principal Mitchell and Hilarie Morgan Chair Gray Charitable Trust Chair Family Foundation Chair Michael Shahan, Associate Jeffrey Lang, Associate Principal Booker Rowe Principal Jeffry Kirschen Davyd Booth Joseph Conyers, Assistant Daniel Williams Paul Arnold Principal Denise Tryon Lorraine and David Popowich John Hood Shelley Showers Chair Henry G. Scott ROSTER CONTINUES ON PG. 8 8 The Philadelphia Orchestra 2012-2013 Season Trumpets Tuba Piano and Celesta David Bilger, Principal Carol Jantsch, Principal Kiyoko Takeuti Marguerite and Gerry Lenfest Lyn and George M. Ross Chair Chair Harps Jeffrey Curnow, Associate Elizabeth Hainen, Principal Principal Timpani Patricia and John Imbesi Gary and Ruthanne Don S. Liuzzi, Principal Chair Schlarbaum Chair Dwight V. Dowley Chair Margarita Csonka Montanaro, Robert W. Earley Angela Zator Nelson, Associate Co-Principal Principal Trombones Patrick and Evelyn Gage Librarians Nitzan Haroz*, Principal Chair Robert M. Grossman, Neubauer Family Foundation Principal Chair Percussion Steven K. Glanzmann Matthew Vaughn, Acting Christopher Deviney, Principal Principal Mrs. Francis W. De Serio Chair Stage Personnel Eric Carlson Anthony Orlando, Associate Edward Barnes, Manager Blair Bollinger, Bass Principal James J. Sweeney, Jr. Trombone Ann R. and Harold A. Sorgenti James P. Barnes Drs. Bong and Mi Wha Lee Chair Chair Angela Zator Nelson *On leave Musicians Behind the Scenes Holly Blake Contrabassoon Chris Lee Where were you born? Philadelphia, PA. What piece of music could you play over