Ann Arbor Symphony Presents THE RITE OF SPRING Tonight

Step inside the mind of composer, Igor Stravinsky, as his musical choreographic work The Rite of Spring comes to life through the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra on opening night, tonight, September 21, 8:00 p.m. at the Michigan Theater. The concert features a riotous compilation of some of the greatest symphonic works of the repertoire, and lifts the audience back into the symphony season.

"I am thrilled to begin the season with such a unique and bold piece by Stravinsky. The Rite of Spring changed all the rules and launched symphonic music - and society - in bold new directions. I look forward to putting our signature on this giant in the repertoire," said Arie Lipsky, A2SO Conductor and Music Director.

Celebrating its centennial anniversary, Stravinsky's innovative Rite of Spring expresses the great outpouring of the imaginative power of spring. This explosive experience of theme, music and choreography are angular and jolting, and display new sounds created by extreme registers for both woodwind and string instruments.

Since its premiere in 1956, Leonard Bernstein's Overture to Candide has been one of the most recognizable overtures in the repertoire, a light-hearted start to a musical written just a year before West Side Story. With lively writing in 7/4 time, Bernstein's bubbly overture evokes Voltaire's much- beloved story pitting "the best of all possible worlds," with "cultivating one's own garden."

The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra is pleased to perform a piece by hometown Grammy-Winning composer William Bolcom, his Commedia for "Almost" 18th Century Orchestra. This ten-minute piece is packed with a medley of themes that integrate an early orchestra sound through musical quotes including Mozart's Papageno's Magic Flute aria to Chopsticks.

Schubert's Symphony No. 8 in B minor, "Unfinished," is among Schubert's most beautiful instrumental works, showcasing dramatic melody, brilliant harmony, and orchestral tone. This "unfinished" symphony features only two movements filled with beautiful horn passages, stunning clarinet and oboe solos.

The A2SO is proud to have the 2013-14 season's opening concert, The Rite of Spring, sponsored by the Ray and Eleanor Cross Foundation with support from the NEA and MCACA.

The A2SO is a premier professional orchestra offering live symphonic music to over 76,000 patrons of all ages in venues ranging from the historic Michigan Theater and Hill Auditorium to schools, daycares, libraries, and senior citizen centers in the five-county area. For tickets visit a2so.com, email tickets@a2so.com or call (734) 994-4801. Single tickets range from $12 to $60, subscriptions start at $48; Student, Senior, and Group discounts are available. First-time subscribers may buy one season subscription and get one free.

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