Annual Fund Benefits

As a member of our Orchestra family we want you to enjoy the benefits of your membership gift with access to open rehearsals, “Meet the Artist” Salon Series events, and much much more. Thank you for your commitment to our Fabulous Philadelphians.

Free CD

It is our pleasure to send our 2012-13 Annual Fund Concert Circle members and above (gifts of $250 or more) one exciting CD. 

To make your selection, please review the titles below and complete the form to redeem your Free Philadelphia Orchestra CD.

CD Form

 

Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 2

Music for the soul - One of the great Mahler conductors of our time, Christoph Eschenbach has a particularly close connection to the spiritual spheres of pain and relief in the music of Gustav Mahler. This recording features the Second Symphony ("Resurrection"), which was one of Mahler's most popular and successful works during his lifetime. The celestial "Urlicht" song of the fourth movement is performed by the celebrated mezzo-soprano Yvonne Naef. The famous chorus of the Finale ("Auferstehung") features Simona Šaturová and Yvonne Naef with The Philadelphia Singers Chorale.

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)
Symphony No. 2 in C minor "Resurrection" 87:31
I. Allegro maestoso 22:35
II. Andante moderato 11:14
III. [Scherzo] In ruhig fließender Bewegung – 10:34
IV. "Urlicht" (from Des Knaben Wunderhorn). Sehr feierlich, aber schlicht. - 5:50
V. Im Tempo des Scherzo – 37:14

Peter Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Tchaikovsky - a relationship on which a legend was built. Tchaikovsky's vibrant and emotionally charged Fourth Symphony resounds here with the magnificent beauty of the lush "Philadelphia Sound" in a white-hot interpretation under Christoph Eschenbach. As an added bonus this CD also includes the final six piano movements (July-December) from Tchaikovsky's The Seasons with Christoph Eschenbach as pianist.

Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36 46:49
I. Andante sostenuto - Moderato con anima - Moderato assai, quasi andante - Allegro vivo 9:46
II. Andantino in modo di canzone 11:14
III. Scherzo. Pizzicato ostinato – Allegro 5:40
IV. Finale. Allegro con fuoco 9:55

The Seasons, Op. 37b 21:27
VII. July: Reaper's Song 1:56
VIII. August: Harvest 3:43
IX. September: Hunting 2:33
X. October: Autumn Song 5:18
XI. November: Troika 2:58
XII. December: Christmas-Tide 4:42

Peter Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5

The legend lives on as never before...The Philadelphia Orchestra combines Tchaikovsky's famous Fifth Symphony with a special bonus, the first half of the piano cycle The Seasons. The latter is Christoph Eschenbach's first extensive solo piano recording in nearly thirty years. Before turning to conducting in the 1970s, Christoph Eschenbach had earned a distinguished reputation as the foremost pianist to emerge from post-war Germany, making his United States concert debut in 1969.

Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64 50:38
I. Andante - Allegro con anima 16:21
II. Andante cantabile, con alcuna licenza 15:37
III. Valse: Allegro moderato 6:01
IV. Finale: Andante maestoso - Allegro vivace 12:31

The Seasons, Op. 37b 25:21
I. January: At the Fireside 5:25
I. February: Carnival 2:46
III. March: Song of the Lark 2:43
IV. April: Snowdrop 4:02
V. May: Starlight Nights 4:27
VI. June: Barcarolle 5:59

Peter Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6

One might well call The Philadelphia Orchestra playing a Tchaikovsky symphony the perfect marriage. Few ensembles have built such a legacy and strong association with the great Russian master. This recording features the final Symphony No. 6 'Pathétique'. Written in the last year of his life, this most melancholic of Tchaikovsky's symphonies is forever associated with the tragedy of his sudden death in 1893. As an added bonus, the disc includes the seldom-heard piano masterpiece Dumka, performed by Christoph Eschenbach on piano.

Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74 "Pathétique" 49:45
I. Adagio - Allegro non troppo 19:48
II. Allegro con grazia 7:56
III. Allegro molto vivace 9:12
IV. Finale. Adagio lamentoso – Andante 12:36

Dumka, Op. 59 (Russian rustic scene) 9:43

Peter Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet/ Victor Ewald Brass Quintets Nos. 1 & 3

A double love affair... Romeo & Juliet meet The Philadelphia Orchestra - The Philadelphia Orchestra's performances of Tchaikovsky are legendary. The release, under Christoph Eschenbach, features works where The Philadelphia Orchestra is definitive in its interpretation and sound: Romeo and Juliet, String Serenade, and Francesca da Rimini. Am added bonus will be, for many, the discovery of two brass quintets by Victor Ewald, a Tchaikovsky contemporary, which here highlights the world-renowned brass members of The Philadelphia Orchestra.

CD1
Peter Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture (1869, rev. 1880) 22:21
Serenade in C major for String Orchestra, Op. 48
I. Pezzo in forma di sonatina: Andante non troppo - Allegro moderato 10:46
II. Valse: Moderato. Tempo di valse 4:03
III. Elegia: Larghetto elegiaco 11:17
IV. Finale (Tema russo): Andante - Allegro con spirito 8:16

CD2
Peter Tchaikovsky
Francesca da Rimini, Symphonic Fantasy, Op. 32 26:24

Victor Ewald (1860-1935)
Brass Quintet No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 5 12:19
I. Moderato 4:47
II. Adagio - Allegro – Adagio 3:47
III. Allegro moderato 3:45

Brass Quintet No. 3 in D flat major, Op. 7
I. Allegro moderato 5:31
II. Intermezzo 4:36
III. Andante 3:52
IV. Vivo 3:48

Aaron Copland and the American Vernacular

Everyone agrees that Aaron Copland's music reflects America, but why it does so is another matter. This cd explores that link, putting Copland into his musical context. Michael Cone, Board of Directors member, shows Copland's classical sources, illustrating them with many clips, some familiar, others surprising.

1. Introduction  6:10
2. Copland and 'Appalachian Spring', Pt. 1  23:09
3. History, Folk Song and Copland  15:20
4. Copland and 'Appalachian Spring', Pt. 2  11:57
5. Copland as Performer  14:24

Hummel—the Trumpet: Balance and Change

Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Beethoven’s contemporary, was arguably the most famous pianist of his time and a well-known composer. He wrote an astonishing trumpet concerto for an experimental instrument. Today, he is nearly forgotten. David Bilger, principal trumpet of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Michael Cone, Orchestra Board of Directors member, discuss that concerto and why Hummel is forgotten.

Webern Demystified

Anton Webern (1878–1945), Arnold Schoenberg, and Alban Berg forever changed music. Nevertheless, Webern’s music is difficult, little played, and less understood. Philadelphia Orchestra Board Member Michael Cone loves Webern. He explains how his music works, when it is written, and how to enjoy it as much as he does. A wide range of music dating from 1500 to 1978 is played to illustrate his lecture.

 

Annual Fund