2016-17 Season Brochures 2016-2017 Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Season | Page 12

JAN / FEB Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 Dima Slobodeniouk, conductor Paul Lewis, piano Marin Alsop, conductor Valentina Peleggi, conductor* Jonathan Carney, violin Stravinsky: Symphonies of Wind Instruments (BSO Premiere) Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique” Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio espagnol* Walton: Violin Concerto Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 FRI, JAN 6, 8 PM SUN, JAN 8, 3 PM The finest British pianist of his generation, Paul Lewis makes his BSO debut with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. From the beginning of this lyrical work the piano firmly takes the lead, and so does this thrilling artist, a recognized Beethoven specialist. Dima Slobodeniouk, a conductor with deep Russian roots, frames the concerto with two masterpieces of his native land: the first-ever BSO performance of Stravinsky’s 1920 miniature gem—a perfect showcase for the BSO’s winds —and Tchaikovsky’s profoundly stirring “Pathétique” Symphony. THU, JAN 12, 8 PM From the vivid first notes of the Capriccio espagnol to the joyous close of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, this program is sheer delight. The Capriccio, a feast of Spanish melodies and a showpiece for soloists within the orchestra, introduces newcomer Valentina Peleggi, the current winner of Marin Alsop’s Taki Concordia fellowship. Concertmaster Jonathan Carney takes center stage in Walton’s tempestuous Violin Concerto, shining a light on his virtuosic talents. Beethoven called his Seventh Symphony “one of the happiest products of my poor talents.” Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 FRI, JAN 20, 8 PM SUN, JAN 22, 3 PM Johannes Debus, conductor Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, piano Rossini: Overture to The Barber of Seville Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 Brahms: Symphony No. 1 PAUL LEWIS MARKUS STENZ While the prolific Gioachino Rossini could toss off an entire opera in a matter of weeks, not so for our other two composers. Beethoven labored so long over his first piano concerto that it inevitably became his second. Acclaimed debut artist JeanEfflam Bavouzet gives an elegant interpretation of this witty and expansive work. And Brahms, keenly aware of Beethoven’s long shadow, did not finish his transporting First Symphony, often dubbed “Beethoven’s Tenth,” until he was 42. BSO debut conductor Johannes Debus proves that this program of treasured and timeless classics was well worth the wait.