Marin Alsop to Lead the BSO in Haydn & Ravel Program, 3/20-22

Marin Alsop leads the BSO in a program of Viennese-inspired favorites, including Ravel's Valses nobles et sentimentales ("Noble and sentimental waltzes") and La Valse ("The Waltz"), Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier ("The Rose Cavalier") Suite, and Haydn's Cello Concerto, performed by Argentinean cellist Sol Gabetta, Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21 at 8 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and Sunday, March 22 at 3 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore. Ms. Gabetta is making her return after her highly acclaimed debut with the BSO in December 2012.

In 1961, Czech musicologist Oldrich Pulkert made a shocking discovery: buried in an unused drawer of the Prague National Museum was a manuscript for Haydn's Cello Concerto in C Major, penned by Haydn himself, which had been hidden away for more than 200 years. Since its debut in 1962, Haydn's "hidden" cello concerto-with its warm and noble opening movement, its shimmering aria for solo cello and strings in the adagio slow movement, and its lively and even daring finale-has become one of the most popular pieces of the repertoire. It will be performed by Argentinian cellist Sol Gabetta, whose 2012 BSO debut performance was praised by The Baltimore Sun as "mesmerizing" and noted for her "introspective eloquence."

Ravel conceived of La Valse in 1906, but did not write it until about 1919, following the devastation of World War I. Therefore, instead of creating what was formerly to be a graceful Viennese waltz, Ravel infused La Valse with dark, whirling melodies that collide and signify the violent end of the Romantic era.

Ravel's Valses nobles et sentimentales was originally created in 1911 as a work for piano, but he later expanded it to become a ballet, thanks to a commission from the Russian-French ballerina Natasha Trouhanova. The ballet tells the story of a courtesan who must decide between two suitors. Her courtship between each suitor is carried on as each bestows flowers upon her, each representing a different virtue or vice.

Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier comedy-drama opera tells the story of an older courtesan, The Marshallin, and a young girl, Sophie, who are both vying for the love of one man, Octavian. It is perhaps the most popular of the 15 operas that Strauss composed, thanks to its stirring plot and stunning musical moments, such as the Second Act's tender "Rose Presentation Scene," or the dramatic Act III trio, in which the Marchallin renounces her love for young Octavian. These musical moments along with the opera's other most beloved melodies comprise this Suite, arranged by an unknown arranger, apparently with the aging Strauss' blessing.

Marin Alsop is an inspiring and powerful voice in the international music scene, a music director of vision and distinction who passionately believes that "music has the power to change lives." She is recognized across the world for her innovative approach to programming and for her deep commitment to education and to the development of audiences of all ages.

Marin Alsop made history with her appointment as the 12th music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO). With her inaugural concerts in September 2007, she became the first woman to head a major American orchestra. Her success as the BSO's music director has garnered national and international attention for her innovative programming and artistry. Her success was recognized when, in 2013, her tenure was extended to the 2020-2021 season.

Alsop took up the post of principal conductor of the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra in 2012, and became music director in July 2013. There, she steers the orchestra in its artistic and creative programming, recording ventures and its education and outreach activities. She also holds the title of conductor emeritus at the Bournemouth Symphony in the United Kingdom, where she served as the principal conductor from 2002-2008.

In the summer of 2013, Maestra Alsop served her 22nd season as music director of the acclaimed Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in California. In September 2013, she made history as the first female conductor of the BBC's Last Night of the Proms in London. When Musical America named Maestra Alsop the 2009 Conductor of the Year, they commented, "[Marin Alsop] connects to the public as few conductors today can."

Sol Gabetta achieved international acclaim upon winning the Crédit Suisse Young Artist Award in 2004 and making her debut with the Wiener Philharmoniker and Valery Gergiev. Following her highly acclaimed debut with Berlin Philharmonic and Sir Simon in 2014, Gabetta performed her Staatskapelle Berlin this past December. Other highlights for the 2014-2015 season include her debut with Toronto Symphony Orchestra, a European tour with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Vladimir Jurowski as well as recitals across Europe with Bertrand Chamayou.

Gabetta's performances today include appearances with leading orchestras and conductors worldwide including the Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, National Symphony Orchestra Washington, Orchestre National de France, Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, and The Philadelphia, London Philharmonic and Philharmonia orchestras; and conductors Giovanni Antonini, Mario Venzago, and Thomas Hengelbrock. Sol Gabetta maintains an intensive chamber music activity, performing worldwide in halls such as Wigmore Hall in London, Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris.

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