Rossen Milanov And The Columbus Symphony Announce The 2018-19 Masterworks Season

The Columbus Symphony and Music Director Rossen Milanov today announced the 2018-19 Masterworks series, a celebration of the excellence of the orchestra. This season will mark Milanov's fourth as artistic leader of the organization, and first of his contract extension through 2025.

"Music is the universal language that unites people, bridges social divisions, inspires us to be the best we can be, and elevates our aspirations. The Columbus Symphony and I are fortunate to have the privilege of being your orchestra and source of inspiration," stated Milanov. "With these guiding principles, it is my great pleasure to present to you our 2018-19 Masterworks season. We would like to think of our concerts as a collection of irresistibly unique experiences that will provide a wide array of choices for you to consider. This year's primary focus will be on the Columbus Symphony itself-its wonderful musicians and their virtuosity!"

Preludes - 30 minutes prior to each Masterworks performance, the CSO will host a 30-minute, educational talk in the theatre. Prelude events can be hosted by WOSU's Christopher Purdy, or be part of the CSO's Subject Matter lecture series and hosted by a professor from OSU or other partnering universities.

Postludes - Patrons are invited to stay after the concert and enjoy a variety of Postlude events following select performances. Postludes could include the performance of an additional, related work for a smaller ensemble, a post-performance discussion with Maestro Milanov and/or the featured guest soloist(s), dance demonstrations, or food and drink tastings.

Friday Coffee Dress - Select Masterworks programs in 2018-19 will offer $10, general admission tickets to Friday morning rehearsals that will include free coffee and pastries for patrons.

Festivals - The CSO will hold five festivals at the Ohio Theatre, Palace and Southern Theatres that combine music with art, knowledge, and thematically related events. Each will be enhanced with a variety of educational and interactive offerings, enabling patrons to become immersed in the festival's focus across multiple disciplines.

Mozart to Matisse - The CSO and Columbus Museum of Art (CMA) will collaborate in a series of afternoon lectures that pair chamber music performances by CSO musicians with works from the CMA art collection. The presentations will focus on specific periods being presented in upcoming CSO Masterworks concerts, and explore the common themes and aesthetic influences between music and visual art.

College Club - This $25 student membership program provides unlimited access to concerts all season long, as well as post-concert events, special member emails, and discounts for the purchase of additional student tickets.

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IN FULL SPLENDOR: OPENING NIGHT AT THE SYMPHONY

Friday, September 21, 8pm

Saturday, September 22, 8pm

Ohio Theatre

Rossen Milanov, conductor

Program:

Bach/Stokowski - Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

Wagner - "Ride of the Valkyries" from Die Walküre

Dukas - L'apprenti sorcier ("The Sorcerer's Apprentice")

Strauss - Also sprach Zarathustra

The new Masterworks season opens with an irresistible selection of masterpieces inspired by the Disney classic, Fantasia. Bach's majestic music as seen through the eyes of the legendary conductor Stokowski and Wagner's terrifying "Ride of the Valkyries" are paired with the rich orchestral palettes of Dukas' The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Strauss' iconic Also sprach Zarathustra, made famous by the feature film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

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Leonard Bernstein CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Friday, October 12, 8pm

Saturday, October 13, 8pm

Ohio Theatre

Rossen Milanov, conductor

Daniel Rowland, violin

Jennifer Lynn Cherest, soprano

Columbus Symphony Chorus - Ronald J. Jenkins, chorus director

Program:

Bernstein - On the Town: Three Dance Episodes

Bernstein/Brohn - West Side Story: Suite for Violin and Orchestra

Bernstein - Candide: Overture

Bernstein - Candide: "Glitter and Be Gay"

Bernstein/Harmon - Candide: Suite

Legendary composer, conductor, and educator Leonard Bernstein is celebrated in this unique concert featuring a kaleidoscope of his most popular works inspired by Broadway.

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ITALIAN FESTIVAL

Friday, October 26, 8pm

Saturday, October 27, 8pm

Southern Theatre

Daniel Boico, conductor

Rachel Barton Pine, violin

Program:

Respighi - Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite III

Paganini - Violin Concerto No. 1

Mendelssohn - Symphony No. 4 "Italian"

The extraordinary violinist Rachel Barton Pine returns to Columbus to tackle Paganini's devilishly difficult Violin Concerto No. 1. Guest conductor Daniel Boico leads a marvelous tour of Italy with the music of Respighi and Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony.

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HANDEL: MESSIAH

Friday, November 9, 8pm

Saturday, November 10, 8pm

Ohio Theatre

Rossen Milanov, conductor

Alexandra Razskazov, soprano

Amanda Lynn Bottoms, mezzo-soprano

Jonas Hacker, tenor

Andrew Bogart, bass

Columbus Symphony Chorus - Ronald J. Jenkins, chorus director

Program:

Handel: Messiah

A performance of Messiah in its entirety is an unforgettable experience. After a long hiatus, Handel's masterpiece returns to the Columbus Symphony, featuring amazing soloists and the incredible Columbus Symphony Chorus.

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RUSSIAN WINTER FESTIVAL I: LENINGRAD SYMPHONY

Friday, January 4, 8pm

Saturday, January 5, 8pm

Ohio Theatre

Rossen Milanov, conductor

Program:

The War Symphonies: Shostakovich Against Stalin (film excerpt)

Shostakovich - Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad"

The Russian Winter Festival opens the new year in grandiose fashion with a performance of Shostakovich's iconic Leningrad Symphony, inspired by Nazi Germany's siege of the city during World War II. One of the composer's most powerful compositions, this work conveys tragedy, oppression, resistance, and ultimately, victory.

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RUSSIAN WINTER FESTIVAL II: TCHAIKOVSKY PIANO CONCERTO

Friday, January 11, 8pm

Saturday, January 12, 8pm

Ohio Theatre

Rossen Milanov, conductor

Sergei Babayan, piano

BalletMet

Program:

Tchaikovsky - Suite from The Sleeping Beauty

Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No. 1

Prokofiev - Symphony No. 5

Tchaikovsky's passionate, romantic music is juxtaposed with Prokofiev's bold symphonic tableaux. The virtuosity and brilliant orchestral colors of the Columbus Symphony shine brightly in this magnificent concert.

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BEETHOVEN MARATHON: JOANNA PLAYS BEETHOVEN

Friday, January 25, 8pm

Saturday, January 26, 8pm

Ohio Theatre

Rossen Milanov, conductor

Joanna Frankel, violin

Program:

Beethoven - Violin Concerto

Beethoven - Symphony No. 3 "Eroica"

CSO Concertmaster Joanna Frankel makes her solo debut with the Columbus Symphony, performing Beethoven's spiritual Violin Concerto. The evocative "Eroica" Symphony completes this program devoted to the great German composer.

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SPANISH FLAMENCO FESTIVAL

Friday, March 1, 8pm
Saturday, March 2, 8pm
Palace Theatre

John Axelrod, conductor

Griset Damas, flamenco dancer

Program:

Turina - Danzas fantásticas

Falla - La Vida Breve: Danse Espagnole No. 1

Dvo?ák - Symphony No. 9 "From the New World"

The Columbus Symphony returns to the newly renovated Palace Theatre in a concert featuring flamenco star Griset Damas and American conductor John Axelrod, who join forces in music inspired by adventure and Spanish exoticism. Dvo?ák's richly melodic New World Symphony enchants with its rhythmic vitality.

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NORDIC MYTHS FESTIVAL

Friday, March 15, 8pm

Saturday, March 16, 8pm

Ohio Theatre

Rossen Milanov, conductor

Alessio Bax, piano

Jason Gay, video artist

Program:

Wagner - Tristan und Isolde: Prelude & Liebestod

Grieg - Piano Concerto

Sibelius - Lemminkäinen Suite (Four Legends from The Kalevala)

Celtic myths inspire Wagner's passionate love story of Tristan and Isolde, while Grieg's Piano Concerto immortalizes the beauty of the Nordic landscape. Finnish myths from The Kalevala come to life in the expansive music of Sibelius, accompanied by original video art by Jason Gay.

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MOZART: REQUIEM

Friday, March 29, 8pm

Saturday, March 30, 8pm
Ohio Theatre

Rossen Milanov, conductor

Alexandra Nowakowski, soprano

Hannah Ludwig, mezzo-soprano

Roy Hage, tenor

Adam Cioffari, bass

Columbus Symphony Chorus - Ronald Jenkins, chorus director

Program:

Bates - Auditorium

Mozart - Requiem

Mozart's last and unfinished masterpiece is haunting and enigmatic. The Columbus Symphony Chorus and a quartet of vocalists lead this emotional journey, preceded by a clever piece by Mason Bates that combines technology and live sound to depict an orchestra of historic instruments.

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THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND

Friday, April 5, 8pm

Saturday, April 6, 8pm

Ohio Theatre

Rossen Milanov, conductor

Dominic Cheli, piano

George Goad, trumpet

Program:

Janá?ek - Sinfonietta

Shostakovich - Piano Concerto No. 1

Stravinsky - The Fairy's Kiss: Divertimento

Three iconic 20th century works combine originality of musical language, intricate textures, and sonic beauty. Principal Trumpet George Goad makes his solo debut alongside rising-star pianist Dominic Cheli in Shostakovich's mercurial concerto for piano, trumpet, and string orchestra.

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MAHLER FIVE

Friday, May 3, 8pm

Saturday, May 4, 8pm

Ohio Theatre

Rossen Milanov, conductor

Leila Josefowicz, violin

Program:

Ades - Violin Concerto "Concentric Paths"

Mahler - Symphony No. 5

Mahler's most popular and life-affirming symphony opens a world full of beauty, love, nostalgia, and divine exuberance - a potentially life-changing experience! Leila Josefowicz returns to Columbus with one of her signature works in this grand season finale.

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Subscriptions go on sale Monday, March 5, at 10am. The following packages are available:

Masterworks 12 - Includes all 12 Masterworks programs in the Ohio, Palace, and Southern Theatres, free parking for one vehicle to each concert, and four free tickets for friends or family to attend any Masterworks performance. Subscription packages range from $276-$744.

Ohio 10 - Includes the ten Masterworks programs to be performed in the Ohio Theatre and two free tickets for friends or family to attend any Masterworks performance. Subscription packages range from $230-$620.

Festivals 5 - Includes the five Masterworks festivals-Italian Festival (Southern Theatre), Russian Winter Festival I (Ohio Theatre), Russian Winter Festival II (Ohio Theatre), Spanish Flamenco Festival (Palace Theatre), and the Nordic Myths Festival (Ohio Theatre). Festival subscription packages range from $115 - $325.

Build Your Own - Choose four (or more) of the 12 Masterworks programs in any theatre. Subscription packages start at $100.

Flex Ticket Subscription - Choose your own concerts-any night, any theatre, any series. Must purchase a minimum of six Flex Tickets. Subscription packages start at $270.

College Club - Students that purchase a $25 College Club membership will receive admission for one to all Masterworks concerts in the season. Membership also includes all post-concert events, special membership emails, and the ability to purchase up to four additional student tickets for $8 each.

Subscriptions can be purchased in person at the CAPA Ticket Center (39 E. State St.), by phone at (614) 469-0939, or online at www.ColumbusSymphony.com.

Single tickets will go on sale to the public at 10am on Monday, May 14.