Marin Alsop to Lead the BSO in Strauss' 'A HERO'S LIFE,' 10/23 & 26

Music Director Marin Alsop will lead the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) in Strauss's Ein Heldenleben: A Hero's Life on Thursday, October 23 at 8 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and Sunday, October 26 at 3 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore. Also on the Classical Concert Series program are Christopher Rouse's Rapture and Scriabin's rarely performed Poem of Ecstasy. Ein Heldenleben is the subject of Maestra Alsop's first Off the Cuff program of the 2014-2015 season, held Friday, October 24 at 8:15 p.m. at Strathmore and Saturday, October 25 at 7 p.m. at the Meyerhoff. Capitalizing on Marin Alsop's charismatic way of illuminating classical music, the Off the Cuff programs focus on one masterwork, allowing the Maestra to discuss the back story of the piece and the composer's life. Please see below for complete program details.

In the presumed autobiographical Ein Heldenleben ("A Hero's Life"), Strauss sends the protagonist off to do battle with music critics and casts a solo violin as his wife Pauline. The 1898 tone poem is known for its innovative use of the modern orchestra, and is considered to be one of the great symphonic works in the repertoire. Last performed by the BSO in March 2006, this is the first time Music Director Marin Alsop will lead the Orchestra in this stunning piece.

Also on the Classical Concert Series program is Rapture, a piece by Baltimore native Christopher Rouse. An unrestrained celebration of the glories of a large symphony orchestra, the composer has described Rapture as a way "to convey a sense of spiritual bliss, religious or otherwise. The entire work inhabits a world devoid of darkness - hence the almost complete lack of sustained dissonance." The BSO has collaborated with Rouse more than 50 times since 1985.

Another work on the Classical Concert Series program is Scriabin's Poem of Ecstasy. Composed between 1905 and 1908, Alexander Scriabin's symphonic poem is rarely performed because of the size of the orchestra required. The piece's gigantic conclusion delivers one of the great emotional rushes in music as it expresses the poem's final lines: "And thus the universe resounds, with joyful cry, I AM!"

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 2014, Maestra Alsop served her 23rd 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."

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