2010-2011 KeyBank MasterWorks Series
Released April 30, 2010
Canton Symphony Announces 2010-11 MasterWorks Classical Season
Music Director Gerhardt Zimmermann’s 30th Anniversary Season with CSO
Canton Symphony Orchestra’s 2010-2011 season will be a celebration of favorites by longtime Music Director Gerhardt Zimmermann as he celebrates his 30th season with the orchestra.
The season opens with one of Maestro Zimmermann’s favorite pieces – Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, on Sunday, October 10. He has often said this was the piece that inspired him to become an orchestral conductor. As is tradition at the Canton Symphony, the concert will open with a piece written by an American composer. This year will feature Inspiring Beethoven written by American composer Kevin Puts. Continuing the American theme, the orchestra will also perform American Suite by Antonin Dvorak.
On Sunday, November 14 , the Canton Symphony will feature world-renowned pianist and close friend of Maestro Zimmermann, André Watts, performing his signature piece, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Opening the concert is the prelude to Wagner’s wonderful opera Die Meistersinger as well as Strauss’ Death and Transfiguration, a work of such compassion it is sure to leave audiences breathless.
The December concert on Sunday, December 5, will feature nationally acclaimed soprano Christine Brandes performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 and two concert arias by Handel. Returning to her hometown, Ms. Brandes will bring her radiant, crystalline voice and superb musicianship to this concert.
We begin 2011 on Saturday, January 22, with an Orchestral Showcase featuring three principal members of the orchestra performing concertos. Jessica Oudin, principal violist will perform Bruch’s Romance to Viola and Orchestra. Following will be principal clarinetist, Randy Klein, performing Mozart’s Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra. The final concerto features Concertmaster Nathan Olson performing Bartok’s Concerto for Violin No. 1. Rounding out the concert is Hérold’s overture to Zampa and Liszt’s dramatic orchestral work, Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2. This is sure to be a concert to remember.
After a smashing success of the fully-staged opera Madama Butterfly in 2009, the Canton Symphony Orchestra will once again present a fully-staged, fully-costumed opera on Sunday, February 27. Audiences will delight in Rossini’s wonderful Barber of Seville. This opera is considered his most popular and is the most widely performed. Thomson Smillie will return as stage director and the opera will feature David Small in the title role.
Two of Maestro Zimmermann’s romantic favorites will be featured on Saturday, March 26: Sibelius and Brahms. Almost reminiscent of Beethoven, Sibelius’ Symphony No. 3 is among his most beloved. Pianist Norman Krieger joins the orchestra in the second half of the concert performing Brahms’ monumental Piano Concerto No. 1, a true romantic symphony for both piano and orchestra.
The final concert of the season on Saturday, April 30, features the combined voices of the Canton Symphony Chorus, VOCI and Kent State University Chorus alongside the orchestra. Their gorgeous sounds will thrill the audiences on two pieces: Handel’s Coronation Anthem “Zadok the Priest” and Ralph Vaughn Williams’ Dona nobis pacem. Included on the season finale will be Elgar’s Serenade in for Strings in e minor and Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes.
Subscription ticket prices for the season (7 concerts) are $120, $150 and $200 are now available. Season tickets for seniors and students are $100. Subscribers can see all 7 concerts for the price of 6 regardless of where they sit. Subscription benefits also include discounted single tickets, no wait at the box office, reserved seating for the entire season, free ticket exchange and a subscription to the CSO newsletter Fanfare. Subscriptions and single tickets can be purchased online at www.cantonsymphony.org; calling the box office at (330)452-2094; or in person at the Canton Symphony’s administrative offices located in the Cultural Center of the Arts, 1001 Market Ave. N., weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Founded in 1973, the Canton Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional ensemble and organization dedicated to performing concerts that enrich, educate and entertain residents of Stark County and beyond. The orchestra performs classical, holiday, and a variety of educational programs in Umstattd Hall, 2323 17th Street NW, Canton, Ohio, as well as other venues in Stark County. For more information, please visit www.cantonsymphony.org or call (330)452-2094. Administrative offices are located at 1001 Market Ave. N., Canton, Ohio, 44702.
