SPAC Strikes Deal to Broadcast Philadelphia Orchestra Concerts

As part of Saratoga Performing Arts Center's expanding artistic collaboration with The Philadelphia Orchestra, it announced a new partnership with public radio stations WMHT in upstate New York and WRTI in Philadelphia to record and broadcast four Philadelphia Orchestra concerts in Saratoga this summer. This new series is part of a reciprocal agreement between WRTI and WMHT and marks the first time in the Orchestra's storied 52-year residency that SPAC concerts have held a dedicated broadcast slot on WMHT and the first time that Saratoga performances have aired on WRTI in Philadelphia. The live performances slated for August 8, 10, 15 and 17 will be conducted by Yannick Nezet-Séguin, music director of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and will feature soloists Janai Brugger, the Jussen 'Piano Brothers,' Jennifer Koh, Serhiy Salov and Joshua Bell.

"Yannick Nezet-Séguin, who starts his new role as Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera this September in addition to his current position as Music Director of The Philadelphia Orchestra, is one of the most compelling and sought-after conductors in the world," said Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. "Having Yannick on the podium for two weeks this season is a cultural coup for Saratoga. For those who aren't able to attend his performances at SPAC, we are delighted that classical music lovers will have the opportunity to tune in to WMHT and WRTI for four virtuosic, distinct performances."

The Philadelphia Orchestra has a long history of radio broadcasts, as the first orchestra with its own commercially sponsored national radio series, beginning in 1929 on NBC. Kicking off the new series will be two previously WRTI recorded and produced Philadelphia Orchestra programs featuring pianist Garrick Ohlsson under the baton of Herbert Blomstedt, airing on July 21 at 6pm on WMHT and a program with pianist Denis Kozhukhin and conductor Stéphane Denève, airing on July 28 on WMHT.

"This new partnership with WMHT and WRTI marks a new chapter in our historic collaboration with our friends at The Philadelphia Orchestra and is part of our strategy to engage our artistic partners in new and exciting projects that extend beyond the scope of our performance schedule," added Sobol. "Having our concerts broadcast to the greater Capital Region, and to audiences in Philadelphia, is part of our mission to make the world-class programming created here available to listeners beyond the SPAC grounds and spark a curiosity in orchestra fans who live outside of New York State."

The four Saratoga performances recorded by WMHT will be broadcast on select Sundays at 6pm on the "WMHT Live" segment. The concerts will also be broadcast on WRTI 90.1 on Sundays at 1:00pm throughout the month of October, reaching audiences in Philadelphia and beyond in addition to being featured on The Philadelphia Orchestra's "On Demand" online portal.

The Philadelphia Orchestra will be in residence at Saratoga Performing Arts Center this summer from August 1 - August 18, 2018. For tickets or more information, visit spac.org.

The full WMHT and WRTI recording schedule is as follows:

AUGUST 8 @ 8PM: Mozart & Mahler

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor

Lucas and Arthur Jussen, duo pianos

Janai Brugger, soprano

Mozart Concerto for Two Pianos, K. 365

Mahler Symphony No. 4

Internationally recognized Dutch piano duo LUCAS AND ARTHUR JUSSEN will perform at SPAC and with The Philadelphia Orchestra for the first time. Already a sensation from New York to Shanghai, the brothers are in their early twenties and are known for their ability to perform virtuosic repertoire with panache. Lucas and Arthur Jussen's debut album on Deutsche Grammophon, featuring compositions of Beethoven, won the "Edison Klassiek Publieksprijs Audience Award."

AUGUST 10 @ 8PM: All Bernstein: Celebrating 100 Years

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor

Jennifer Koh, violin

Guest singers Ryan Silverman, Isabel Santiago, and Julia Udine

Bernstein Symphonic Suite from On the Waterfront

Bernstein Serenade (after Plato's Symposium) for Solo Violin, Strings, Harp, and Percussion

Bernstein Scenes from West Side Story

Bernstein Symphonic Dances from West Side Story

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin pay homage to the birth centennial of the composer-conductor with an ALL-BERNSTEIN program featuring an orchestral suite from his only film score, On the Waterfront; the Serenade featuring violinist JENNIFER KOH; and scenes from West Side Story. Making her SPAC debut, Jennifer Koh, Musical America's 2016 Instrumentalist of the Year, is recognized for her intense, commanding performances. Collaborating with artists of multiple disciplines, she has premiered more than 60 works written especially for her.

AUGUST 15 @ 8PM: The Orchestra Unleashed!

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor

Serhiy Salov, piano

Strauss Don Juan

Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, for piano and orchestra

Bartók Concerto for Orchestra

Born into the exceptional pianistic tradition of the Ukraine, SERHIY SALOV is recognized as an outstanding pianist, whose playing is both energetic and imbued with sensitivity. Salov, who will be making his SPAC and Philadelphia Orchestra debuts, is Artist-in-Residence at the Orchestre Métropolitain.

AUGUST 17 @ 8PM: Joshua Bell with The Philadelphia Orchestra

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor

Joshua Bell, violin

Dvo?ák Otello Overture

Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1

Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 ("Pathétique")

Returning to SPAC for two encore performances is celebrated violinist Joshua Bell. With a career spanning more than 30 years as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist and conductor, Joshua Bell's performance on August 17 will feature Bruch's ravishing Violin Concerto No. 1.