The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Announces 2011 Great Orchestra Series

The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall unveiled its exciting lineup today for the 2011 Great Orchestra Series.

Subscriptions to the complete series are now available, with priority seating going to current subscribers who renew prior to the June 1 deadline. All subscribers receive a 15% discount and special subscriber privileges.

The series features five of the most distinguished, world-class ensembles on tour. They include: Toronto Symphony Orchestra (Jan. 10, 2011); Philharmonic of Poland (Jan. 24); Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (Feb. 13); Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra (Mar. 15) and St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra (Apr. 8).

Founded in 1922, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra is under the baton of the dynamic and compelling conductor Peter Oundjian, known for his probing musicality, collaborative spirit and engaging personality. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 89th season. The program is tentatively scheduled to include Barber's Violin Concerto, op. 14 (with violin soloist James Ehnes) and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5, op. 64, E minor as well as a Canadian work still to be announced. Soloist James Ehnes has been hailed as "the Jascha Heifetz of our day" (Globe and Mail).

One of Poland's leading orchestras, the Philharmonic of Poland stops at the Van Wezel as part of its first transcontinental tour of the United States. Founded in 1947, the orchestra has participated regularly in prestigious Polish cultural events such as the Festival of Contemporary Music, the Chopin Festival, the Moniuszko Festival, Poznan Musical Spring and the International Festival of Oratorio and Cantata Music. Under the leadership of Maestro Boguslaw Dawidow, the Philharmonic of Poland has hosted a continually growing number of world-famous musicians, winners of international piano, violin and conducting competitions. The Philharmonic of Poland was the only Polish Orchestra invited to participate in the Gala Concert in Rome to mark the 80th birthday of Pope John Paul II in May 2000.

The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, South Africa's "orchestra for all seasons," delivers a world-class musical experience to all communities of the Western Cape. The CPO is one of only three full-time professional symphony orchestras in South Africa. Its renowned conductor Martin Panteleev is considered one of the most exciting rising stars of a new generation of European conductors. The concert at the Van Wezel also will feature violin soloist Philippe Quint, a Grammy® nominated artist whom critics have called "a legend in the making," "flawless," "dazzling," "extraordinary" and "astonishing."

The Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra featuring Conductor Keith Lockhart returns to the Van Wezel by popular demand having sold out its last performance here. Known as "America's Orchestra," the Boston Pops has been cited by The New York Times as "...the best-known, most recorded and arguably most popular orchestra in the United States." Marking its 125th season this year, the Boston Pops combines light classical music, tunes from current hits of the musical theater and an occasional novelty number. The orchestra was for many years linked with the name of Arthur Fiedler, who in 1930 became its 18th conductor and launched the first Esplanade Concerts on the banks of the Charles River in 1929. John Williams was appointed Conductor in January 1980, followed by Keith Lockhart in February 1995. "Evening at Pops" is the longest running concert program on TV, featuring 13 nationwide broadcasts each season.

The Orchestra Series at the Van Wezel concludes with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra with Maestro Nikolai Alexeev and soloist Alisa Weilerstein. Russia's oldest symphonic ensemble, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic was founded in 1882 on the Order of Alexander III. Tchaikovsky conducted the premiere of his Symphony No 6 (Pathetique) with the orchestra shortly before his death. The orchestra also hosted the first Russian performances of Richard Strauss' symphonic poems Ein Heldenleben and Sprach Zarathustra, Mahler's First Symphony, Bruckner's Ninth Symphony and Skryabin's Poem of Ecstasy. The New York Times has called today's orchestra "voluptuous, seductive, almost bursting out of its clothes," adding, "No acoustical properties in any hall can account for the string sound this orchestra makes, which seems to emanate out of the stage floorboards...this Russian musical institution is quite a beauty..."

American cellist Alisa Weilerstein has attracted widespread attention for playing that combines a natural virtuosic command and technical precision with impassioned musicianship. Following her Zankel Hall recital debut in New York City, Justin Davidson of New York Magazine said, "Whatever she plays sounds custom-composed for her, as if she has a natural affinity with everything."
The program scheduled at this time for the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra is as follows: RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: RussIan Easter Overture, Op. 36, SHOSTAKOVICH: Concerto for Cello No. 1, Op. 107, intermission, BRAHMS: Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98.

Dinner is available prior to most shows by Michael's on East at the Van Wezel by calling (941) 366-0007 or logging onto www.bestfood.com.

Set along Sarasota's beautiful bayfront, the landmark Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is beginning its 41st anniversary of entertaining audiences with a variety of music, dance, theater, comedy and children's shows.

Current Van Wezel subscribers can renew their same seats, if desired. After renewal subscriptions are filled, new subscriptions will be processed in the order they are received.

Subscriptions are available by calling the Box Office at (941) 953-3368 or toll free at (800) 826-9303 or stopping in-person at the box office. Subscriptions range in price from $495.80 to as little as $185.50 which include fees & sales tax. The 2011 Orchestra Series at the Van Wezel is sponsored by WUSF Public Broadcast.

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