2006-2007 Season Highlights
Throughout its 105 year history, The Philadelphia Orchestra has enjoyed relationships with the world’s most esteemed classical musicians. The 2006-07 season brings you an exciting array of artists who have maintained lasting relationships with the ensemble, as well as rising stars performing here for the first time. You’ll also hear solo performances by six of the Orchestra’s own extraordinary musicians.
Conductors
A lineup of internationally acclaimed conductors leads the Orchestra this season. Former Music Director Riccardo Muti, whose thrilling benefit concert was a highlight of 2005, returns to Philadelphia for a special week of subscription concerts. The renowned Valery Gergiev makes his second appearance with the Orchestra, and venerable conductors Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos and Charles Dutoit also return. Newer favorites appear as well, including the popular Peter Oundjian, and Vladimir Jurowski, whose sensational debut the Philadelphia Inquirer described as “among the most magnificent musical achievements of the Orchestra’s last dozen years.”
Returning Guest Artists
Equally esteemed soloists return, many of whom have long histories with the Orchestra. For pianist André Watts, the season is a momentous one, marking both his 60th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his Philadelphia Orchestra debut. Mr. Watts made his debut at age 10 after winning the Orchestra’s Student Competition.
Other returning artists who regularly appear with the Orchestra include pianists Lang Lang, Yefim Bronfman, and Martha Argerich; violinists Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Leonidas Kavakos, Gil Shaham, and Julia Fischer; and cellist Truls Mørk. American sopranos Dawn Upshaw and Barbara Bonney and highly-praised German singers Matthias Goerne, baritone, and Thomas Quasthoff, bass-baritone, also make appearances.
Rising Stars
Performances by rising classical music stars add a special luster to the 2006-07 season. Four exciting young soloists – all major recording artists garnering accolades worldwide – make Philadelphia Orchestra debuts: violinists Baiba Skride and Janine Jansen, and pianists Lars Vogt and Piotr Anderszewski. In addition, soprano Marisol Montalvo returns following her spectacular debut in 2004.
The Orchestra’s Own
Joining this stellar roster of guest artists are six of the Orchestra’s own world-class musicians. Concertmaster David Kim and Principal Bass Harold Robinson each perform concertos with the Orchestra, and Principal Trumpet David Bilger is a featured artist on Shostakovich’s First Piano Concerto. Four principal violinists – Concertmaster David Kim, First Associate Concertmaster Juliette Kang, Principal Second Violin Kimberly Fisher, and Associate Principal Second Violin Paul Roby – each play one of the movements of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons under Maestro Eschenbach’s direction. The Maestro himself returns to the role of soloist, conducting two Mozart concertos from the piano.
On the Program
A variety of different threads are woven throughout the season’s programming. “Each program has its own life, its own spice, its own appeal,” says Maestro Eschenbach. Music of Mozart and Shostakovich (who each celebrate anniversaries in 2006) takes a prominent position. Mahler is again showcased, as the Orchestra performs his Second and Fourth symphonies and Kindertotenlieder. The Kimmel Center’s new organ is featured throughout the season. |
