The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra Announces 2014-2015 Season - THE FOUR SEASONS, BOLERO! and More

The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra has announced plans for its 2014-15 Season, the 70th Anniversary Season for the Orchestra, which is being celebrated with the title "Season 70". This will be Music Director LARRY RACHLEFF's 19th season with the Orchestra. Beginning in September, eight Saturday classical concerts will take place at The Vets, 1 Avenue of the Arts in Providence. Four programs remain in the 2013-14 season, which concludes on May 10.

"It's an honor to mark our 70th season," said David Beauchesne, executive director. "Speaking for the artists and the staff of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School, I encourage you to share this season with us. Few American communities can boast of the extraordinary relationship we enjoy between orchestra and audience. Join us for eight concerts of celebration!"

The new season offers symphonies by Beethoven, Prokofiev and Sibelius; concerti by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Saint-Sa?ns and Tchaikovsky; and popular favorites Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, Ravel's Boléro and Orff'sCarmina Burana. Twentieth-century highlights include works by Adams, Orff, Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, Sibelius, Strauss, Stravinsky, and Weill. The season's final concert features the world premiere of a commissioned work by the New England native composer Pierre Jalbert in honor of the Orchestra's 70thAnniversary.

"This season offers a greater variety of music than any I can recall," said Larry Rachleff, music director. "From a Bach concerto to a freshly-minted world premiere, the season spans four centuries of musical masterpieces. With both rarely-heard gems and familiar fan favorites, we're delighted to offer something for everyone in our 70th season."

Several well-known guest artists will perform with the orchestra, including returning violinists Augustin Hadelich and Jennifer Koh, cellist Alban Gerhardt, mezzo-soprano Susan Lorette Dunn, and pianists Ilya Yakushev and Joyce Yang. Pianist Jon Nakamatsu will be making his debut with the Rhode Island Philharmonic.The Providence Singers, Christine Noel, artistic director, will share two performances with the Philharmonic:Carmina Burana in May and Handel's Messiah in December.

The Philharmonic's season features eight Classical concerts on Saturday nights at The Vets. Four are preceded by Amica Rush Hour concerts on Friday, and four have Friday Open Rehearsals. The Amica Rush Hour Series offers an early start time - 6:30pm - on Fridays October 17, November 14, April 10 and May 8. These shorter, informal, accessible concerts feature full performances of select repertoire from the Saturday Classical concerts. Open Rehearsals, on Fridays September 19, January 16, February 20 and March 20 at 5:30pm, offer insight into the collaboration between the conductor, guest artists and orchestra musicians as they prepare for the upcoming classical concert. Subscriptions are on sale now. Please call the Philharmonic box office at 401.248.7000, or visit www.riphil.org/tickets.?

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