Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WHO: The Austin Symphony Orchestra
DATE: July 24, 2006
CONTACT: Don Hill, Director of Public Relations - 476-6064 x 213

AUSTIN SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES 96TH CONCERT SEASON
FROM BEETHOVEN TO THE BEATLES

Season Sponsor: JPMorganChase
Media Sponsors: Time Warner Cable/News 8 Austin, Austin American-Statesman and KVET 98.1 FM

The Austin Symphony Orchestra announces its 96th concert season beginning on September 1, 2006. The ASO will offer patrons a “Passport to Excellence” in a season that includes a series of eight classical concert pairs, family concerts, Holiday events and the Sarah & Ernest Butler Pops Series, all spanning September through May, 2007. Gaining on a century of service to the community, the Austin Symphony is performing more concerts, reaching more people and working harder to serve the people of Austin and Central Texas than ever before.

Highlighting the ASO’s season will be the beginning of a two-year festival of Beethoven works, including all nine symphonies, which will usher ASO patrons to the spectacular opening of the state-of-the-art Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Center for the Performing Arts. Each concert of the season also includes at least one work by a 20th century composer. The ASO launches its astounding classical season September 1st & 3rd with internationally-acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell performing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D. On September 22 & 24, the Austin Symphony continues its participation in the yearlong Shostakovich 100: Austin Celebrates festival, a celebration of the 100th birthday of Dmitri Shostakovich, with performances of the Piano Concerto No. 2 in F and the “Babi Yar” Symphony No. 13. Guest artists include pianist Melissa Marse and Russian bass Nikita Storojev.

October welcomes pianist Muza Rubackyte playing Johannes Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 on October 6 & 7. This concert also features the Beethoven Symphony No. 1. October 20 & 21’s concerts spotlight violist Nokothula Ngwenyama performing William Walton’s Viola Concerto.

The exquisite poise and tenderness of pianist Yefim Bronfman will highlight a “not-to-be-missed” pair of evenings November 10 & 11 when Bronfman performs two concertos, Mozart’s Concerto No. 24 in C Minor and the Fourth Concerto of Sergei Rachmaninoff.

Performances on December 1 & 2 will be filled with the glory and child-like wonder of the gift-giving season. Piano superstar Anton Nel joins the ASO in concerts for the child in all of us. Nel performs the Variations on a Nursery Song of Dohnányi, while the ASO delights with Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. This concert also features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2.

The ASO will ring in the New Year with the January 5 & 6 performances by classical duo Jaime Laredo, violin and Sharon Robinson, cello. Laredo and Robinson will perform Miklos Rózsa’s Sinfonia Concertante. Maestro Bay has also programmed Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony No. 3.

February 3 & 4 closes out the ASO’s condensed season and bids farewell to Bass Concert Hall. One of the world’s foremost percussionists, Evelyn Glennie, literally finishes the Austin Symphony Classical Concert season with a bang. Glennie performs two concertos, the contemporary Percussion Concerto of Joseph Schwantner and Vivaldi’s Piccolo Concerto arranged for vibraphone by Glennie, herself.

The Sarah & Ernest Butler Pops Series once again presents to Austin audiences the best in symphonic pops entertainment with an impressive list of award-winning artists. The series begins December 30 & 31 with Holiday Pops featuring The Association to Palmer Events Center. One of the most popular and successful bands to have come out of the Sixties, The Association has sold over 70 million records with such hits as “Never My Love”, “Windy” and “Cherish.” On February 17, the country/pop sounds of Glen Campbell return to Riverbend Centre. Back by popular demand, Campbell’s guitar-pickin’ talent, dimpled chin and blue-eyed good looks made him a star. Don’t miss one of country music’s first cross-over artists and Grammy® Award winner performing live in concert for one night only.

March Pops features the Austin Symphony debut of David Gates. As the lead singer, composer/arranger and signature voice of the super-group, Bread, Gates is responsible for some of the most memorable songs in popular music history. In a career that has spanned over three decades and 40 million records sold David Gates will thrill you with such hits as “If,” “Baby I’m-a Want You,” the title song from the Academy Award-winning film The Goodbye Girl, and many more. Promenade Pops closes the Butler Pops Series when the world’s most acclaimed tribute to The Beatles performs live in concert with the Austin Symphony. Classical Mystery Tour features performances of more than 30(!) Beatles tunes played and sung exactly as they were written by The Fab Four. Hear timeless classics including, “Yesterday,” “Hey Jude,” “All You Need is Love,” and much more!

Austin Holiday traditions continue December 12 when the Austin Symphony presents Handel’s Messiah at Riverbend Centre. Chorus Austin and guest soloists Sarajane Dailey, soprano; Lori Bade alto; Don Hill, tenor; and Chia-wei Lee, bass, join the ASO for an evening that is always a sell-out. The annual free Family Christmas Sing-Along sets “Silver Bells” ringing on December 19, also at Riverbend Centre.

There’s something for every family member in the Austin Symphony’s Family Series. October 8th brings the annual Children’s Halloween Concert at the Paramount Theater. This concert, filled with “chills and trills,” will leave you shaking in your boots. Wombah the Fool hosts this popular performance of spine-tingling sounds and young people’s favorites. Our Family Concert takes place on the evening of June 2nd at the Symphony Square Amphitheater with a performance by Trout Fishing in America.

Celebrating 96 years, the Austin Symphony continues to be the leading professional performing arts organization in Central Texas by remaining true to its mission: To enhance the cultural quality of life for the adults and young people of Austin and Central Texas by providing excellence in music performance and educational programming. Be a part of the excitement! Call the Austin Symphony for more information on programs and events that best suit your time and interest. Contact the ASO at (512) 476-6064 or (888) 4-MAESTRO, or visit us online at www.austinsymphony.org.