News
February 23, 2017Albany Symphony Announces 2017-2018 Concert Season
The Albany Symphony board of directors is excited to announce the 2017-2018 season, their 88th season of serving the Capital Region community through a wide variety of music, featuring both current American pieces to beloved classics, all designed to entertain and engage audience members. The season will highlight the works of living composers, as well as those of the greatest composers of past eras. This is the third year in a row of record-breaking subscription growth, a feat very difficult to achieve in the orchestral world. The Albany Symphony team, led by Music Director David Alan Miller, has worked hard to establish itself as a pioneer in the world of new music. The organization is proud to serve as an incubator for composers of our time. “We are so thankful to the Capital Region community for its enthusiastic support of beautiful orchestral music and our innovative community projects. For decades, the Albany Symphony has enjoyed great acclaim in the orchestral world for its strong commitment to new music. Now, here at home, we continue to have record-breaking subscription numbers, thanks to our loyal subscribers and more new concertgoers from all corners of our region spreading the word about how exciting and enlightening the Albany Symphony can be,” said Chair of the Board Marisa Eisemann.
The season will feature a Gershwin Immersion weekend, a weekend of Mozart, Beethoven’s Fifth, Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, The Rite of Spring and the popular American Music Festival Concert, featuring composers Loren Loiacono, David Del Tredici, Reena Esmail and George Tsontakis. Patrons are encouraged to purchase season subscriptions for the Masterwork Series, which has recently gone on sale. (http://www.albanysymphony.com)
The Gershwin weekend is one of the many highlights of the season. “We are thrilled to be able provide a full weekend dedicated to Gershwin. Fans of the “Rhapsody in Blue” can enjoy the original jazz band version on Saturday and the orchestral version on Sunday. Those who attend this exciting weekend are guaranteed to learn something new about this beloved composer. We are honored to have the world’s greatest Gershwin interpreter, pianist Kevin Cole, join us to perform Gershwin’s complete works for piano and orchestra,” said Miller. Cole will perform on both Saturday, May 19th and Sunday, May 20th. He will also present a cabaret-style solo evening of classic Gershwin songs.
The Albany Symphony has also received a special accolade that will come to light during the 2017-2018 season. They are one of four orchestras nationally that have been invited to perform at the Shift Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. This will be the Symphony’s debut at this world famous concert hall in our nation’s capital. The Shift Festival is a week-long festival featuring the most innovative North American orchestras. The Albany Symphony is honored to be counted among those selected and will perform on April 11, 2018. Leading up to the concert, there will be a performance of the same works at the Palace Theatre. The theme of the concert is water, and there are two works for piano, one composed by Joan Tower and the other by Michael Torke. Michael Daugherty’s tuba concerto, “Reflections on the Mississippi”, will also be featured, along with Dorothy Chang’s “The Mightly Erie Canal” for children’s chorus and orchestra.
There will also be a weekend celebrating Mozart’s “miraculous year,” 1786, on Saturday, December 9, 2017 and Sunday, December 10, 2017 at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Symphony guests will enjoy three piano concertos, selections from “The Marriage of Figaro” and “Horn Concerto No. 4”.
The season will conclude with the popular American Music Festival Concert on June 2, 2018 in the EMPAC Concert Hall in Troy, NY. Composer David Del Tredici, who is also featured in November 2017, will return with his piece “Adventures Underground” from Alice in Wonderland. During the 1970s, Del Tredici became fascinated with the theme of Alice in Wonderland and decided to compose a series of major works based on Lewis Carroll’s books. Del Tredici, who turns 80 this season, will serve as the orchestra’s “mentor composer.” Composer Educator Loren Loiacono will also be featured along with Reena Esmail and George Tsontakis. In her role as “composer educator,” Loiacono will work with two local public schools to teach children how to compose and, even more importantly, help them develop a passion for music. The American Music Festival will embrace the theme of diversity.
The guest artists for the 2017-2018 season are among the most talented in the music world. Performers include: violist Richard O’Neill, trumpeter Craig Morris, pianist Joyce Yang, violinists Simone Porter and Amaud Sussman, pianist Kevin Cole, and soprano Hila Plittman. Gemma New will be the season’s guest conductor.
Featured living composers include: Loren Loiacono, David Del Tredici, Christopher Theofanidis, Christopher Rouse, Joan Tower, Michael Daugherty, Dorothy Chang, Michael Torke, Salina Fisher, Reena Esmail, and George Tsontakis.
Additionally there are many exciting elements beyond the Masterwork Series. There is an opening night concert and gala with a theme of Hollywood Favorites: Star Wars and More. This event features composers John Williams, Erich Korngold and Loren Loiacono.
“We are so excited to present the new season to our magnificent Capital Region community. Whatever you are most passionate about, we have music on the season that will move and inspire you. You’ll meet emerging composers, our greatest living composers, the most awe-inspiring composers of past generations, and amazing performing artists,” said Miller.
The 2017-2018 season runs from October through June. Concerts will be held at the Palace Theatre, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, and EMPAC. Patrons can purchase a season subscription online, by phone or visiting the box office (see info below).
2016-2017 Season:
The Rite of Spring!
Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 7:30PM
Palace Theatre
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Dukas: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Del Tredici: “Rip van Winkle” for Narrator and Orchestra
Stravinsky: The Right of Spring
1786: Mozart’s Miraculous Year
Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 7:30PM
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Marriage of Figaro, Overture and Selections
Piano Concerto No. 23
Piano Concerto No. 24
Sunday, December 10, 2017 at 3:00PM
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Schauschpieldirektor, Overture and Selections
Piano Concerto No. 25
Horn Concerto No. 4
Symphony No. 38, “Prague”
Beethoven’s Fifth!
Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 7:30PM
Sunday, January 7, 2018 at 7:30PM
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Richard O’Neill, Viola
Schumann: Overture, Scherzo and Finale
Theofanidi: Viola Concerto
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
Valentine’s Weekend: Romeo & Juliet
Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 7:30PM
Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 3:00PM
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Craig Morris, Trumpet
Tchaikovsky: Romeo & Juliet
Rouse: Heimdall’s Trumpet
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 7
Bon Voyage: Albany Symphony Performs at the Kennedy Center
Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 7:30PM
Palace Theatre
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Joyce Yang, Piano
Tower: Still/Rapids
Daugherty: Reflections on the Mississippi
Dorothy Chang: The Mighty Erie Canal
Torke: Three Manhattan Bridges
Saint-Saëns: Organ Symphony
Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 7:30PM
Palace Theatre
Gemma New, Conductor
Amaud Sussman, Violin
Salina Fisher: World Premiere
Beethoven: Violin Concerto
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3 “ The Organ Symphony”
Gershwin Immersion: Complete Works for Piano and Orchestra by George Gershwin
Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 7:30PM
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Kevin Cole, Piano
Selected Overtures
Rhapsody in Blue for Orchestra
Piano Concerto in F
Sunday, May 20, 2018 at 3:00PM
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Kevin Cole, Piano
American In Paris
Rhapsody in Blue for Jazz Band
Second Rhapsody for Piano and Orchestra
“I Got Rhythm” Variations
American Music Festival Concert
Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 7:30PM
EMPAC Concert Hall
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Hila Plittman, Soprano
Del Tredici: Adventures Underground from Alice in Wonderland
Loiacono: World Premiere
Young Composer: World Premiere
Reena Esmail: World Premiere
George Tsontakis, New Work
Subscription Add-ons:
Hollywood Favorites: Star Wars & More
Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 7:00PM
Palace Theatre
David Alan Miller, Conductor
Simone Porter, Violin
Korngold: Suite from “The Sea Hawk”
Loiacono: World Premiere
Korngold: Violin Concerto
Williams: Star Wars Suite
American Music Festival: Dogs of Desire
Friday, June 1, 2018 at 7:30PM
EMPAC Theatre
The Albany Symphony’s inspired new music ensemble explores popular and world cultures through new multi-media compositions by America’s most adventurous composers.
Magic of Christmas
Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 3:00PM
Palace Theatre
Sparkling holiday favorites and carols led by David Alan Miller and the Albany Symphony. The program will also feature young musicians and dancers from The Music Studio, Capital District Youth Chorale, Boland School of Irish Dance and the World of Dance Studio with a special visit from Santa Claus.
To Purchase a Season Subscription:
Tickets for all Albany Symphony performances can be purchased by calling 518.694.3300, online at www.albanysymphony.com, or by visiting the Albany Symphony Box Office at 19 Clinton Ave., Albany, NY 12207. Special rates are available to groups of ten or more. Contact: 518.465.4755 ext. 35.
