SEATTLE SYMPHONY LAUNCHES 2020–2021 SEASON WITH NEW STREAMING SERVICE: SEATTLE SYMPHONY LIVE
SEASON OPENING CELEBRATION WELCOMES AUDIENCES ONLINE AND
IN-PERSON AT MARYMOOR PARK DRIVE-IN CONCERT SCREENING
ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2020
Seattle, WA — Despite challenges brought about by COVID-19, the Seattle Symphony remains dedicated to finding new ways to continue supporting its community through music. In that spirit, the Symphony will be launching its new subscription-based streaming service, Seattle Symphony Live, this month. Though in-person concerts with a live audience cannot resume until King County is safely in Phase 4 of the state’s reopening plan, the orchestra returns to the Benaroya Hall stage this month for weekly livestreamed concerts. Audiences everywhere will be able to preview the streaming service for free during the first concert of the season, Season Opening Reimagined, on Saturday, September 19.
“Seattle Symphony Live is a bright light this year,” says President & CEO Krishna Thiagarajan. “Thanks to the wonderful musicians and staff here, we’ve been able to turn this challenging time into an opportunity to accelerate our mission to support our community through music. With the upcoming season going digital, the Seattle Symphony looks forward to reconnecting with local fans, and through the new streaming service, we’re excited to introduce ourselves to a global audience in a way that has not been possible before.”
During September and October, the Seattle Symphony will livestream weekly concerts with shortened programs and a smaller, socially distanced, PPE-protected orchestra. Audiences can look forward to new concerts with featured guest conductors such as Shiyeon Sung and Joseph Young; acclaimed guest artists including violinist Simone Porter, vocalist and guitarist Whitney Mongé and pianist Tengku Irfan; and dynamic solo performances from the Symphony’s own Concertmaster Noah Geller and Principal Trumpet David Gordon. Due to travel restrictions, Music Director Thomas Dausgaard will join the orchestra onstage later in the season.
Of the new season, Music Director Thomas Dausgaard shares, “Our original 2020–2021 season was inspired by musically traveling beyond our own borders. To be able to do so seems pertinent now more than ever. I am thrilled that we will be sharing our orchestra’s new performances with audiences whether they are in Seattle or on the other side of the world, and I hope those who join in are uplifted by these musical moments.”
The season begins with the Season Opening Reimagined concert celebrating the return of the Seattle Symphony to the Benaroya Hall stage. Featuring a special performance by Seattle-based vocalist and guitarist Whitney Mongé with the orchestra led by Associate Conductor Lee Mills, this opening night concert weaves together the drama of Mozart’s Don Giovanni Overture and Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony; these energetic works bookend Whitney Mongé’s own soulful songs and the soaring, beautiful orchestral suite selection Five Movements in Color: Soul of Remembrance by American composer and pianist Mary D. Watkins.
In addition to enjoying the Symphony’s performance online, audiences can also experience Season Opening Reimagined in person from the safety of their vehicles at the Seattle Symphony’s first ever drive-in concert screening at King County’s Marymoor Park on Saturday, September 19, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the community event are free and will be available on September 4; a limited number of VIP packages are available starting at $2,500. For more information on how to RSVP for Season Opening Reimagined, visit seattlesymphony.org/seasonopening.
Seattle Symphony Live annual passes start at $9.99 per month, on sale September 8; Symphony donors and 2020–2021 season subscribers will receive complimentary access to the streaming service. Since the 2020–2021 season cannot proceed as originally planned, modifications are being made to the previously announced programming, including changes to repertoire and guest artist lineup. Breaking with tradition, the Symphony will be sharing season updates in regular installments in order to remain responsive to the latest developments from state and public health officials.
Inspired by the orchestra’s dedication to serving the community, more than 6,000 supporters have stepped forward with a donation since the closure of Benaroya Hall. These funds support the Seattle Symphony Future Fund, providing critical resources to ensure a bright future for symphonic music in our community. The Future Fund so far has raised more than half of the $10 million goal, and the Symphony continues to seek leadership gifts to support the orchestra’s upcoming digital season and prepare for our return to Benaroya Hall. To learn more about how to support the Seattle Symphony or to make a donation, visit seattleymphony.org/give.
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
Led by Music Director Thomas Dausgaard, the Seattle Symphony unleashes the power of music, brings people together and lifts the human spirit. Recognized as one of the “most vital American orchestras” (NPR), the Seattle Symphony is internationally acclaimed for its inventive programming, community-minded initiatives and superb recordings on the Seattle Symphony Media label. With a strong commitment to new music and a legacy of over 150 recordings, the orchestra has garnered five Grammy Awards, 26 Grammy nominations, two Emmy Awards and was named Gramophone’s 2018 Orchestra of the Year. The Symphony performs in Benaroya Hall in the heart of downtown Seattle from September through July, reaching over 500,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts.
The Seattle Symphony thanks the Season Opening Reimagined supporters whose generosity made possible bringing the musical celebration of a new season to Seattle and beyond.
This year’s event honors longtime Seattle Symphony supporter Judith Fong.
Presented by Nordstrom
Supporting Sponsor | Laird Norton Wealth Management
Contributing Sponsor | Microsoft • Foster Garvey • The Boeing Company • Seyfarth
Additional Support | Aetna
Symphony | Pam and Dan Baty • Anonymous
Overture | Larry Benaroya Family Foundation • Leslie & Dale Chihuly • Judith Fong • Carolyn & Gerald Grinstein • Parul & Gary Houlahan • Paul Leach & Susan Winokur • Kelly & Benjamin Martz • Nakajima Family • John and Susan Pohl • Pat & Jon Rosen • Grant & Dorrit Saviers • Patricia Tall-Takacs & Gary Takacs • Ann P. Wyckoff
Cadenza | René and April Ancinas • Marco Argenti • Paula Boggs and Randee Fox • Brittni & Larry Estrada • Senator and Mrs. Daniel J. Evans • Richard Meyer & Susan Harmon • John and Laurel Nesholm • Rosalind Poll • Andrea & Lyle Snyder • Leena & Mel Sturman • Gary Wood & Mika Nakamura • Anonymous
Encore | Rebecca Benaroya • Sue & Robert Collett • Diena & Russ Mann • Elizabeth & Jonathan Roberts • Norm & Elisabeth Sandler • Vivian & Jim Schwab
In-Kind Sponsors | Browne Family Vineyards • Red Element Studios
Season Opening Reimagined Committee
Jon and Pat Rosen, Co-Chairs • April Ancinas • Leslie Jackson Chihuly • Lyn Grinstein • Susan Gulkis Assadi • Parul Houlahan • Eric Jacobs • Nader Kabbani
Seattle Symphony Live is generously sponsored by the Scan|Design Foundation by Inger & Jens Bruun.
2020-2021 Masterworks Series Sponsor: Delta Air Lines.
Seattle Symphony Family Programs supported by the Klorfine Foundation.
Principal Trumpet David Gordon's performance on October 15th is generously underwritten by Robert and Sue Collett.
Concertmaster Noah Geller's performance on October 29th is generously underwritten by Betty Graham.
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FALL CONCERT SCHEDULE: SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER
SEASON OPENING REIMAGINED
Saturday, September 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Lee Mills conductor
Fred Northup, Jr. emcee
Whitney Mongé vocals & guitar
Mozart Don Giovanni Overture
Whitney Mongé "Tomorrow", "Crash", "Day N Nite", "Gracefully"
Mary D. Watkins Five Movements in Color: Soul of Remembrance
Beethoven Symphony No. 7
MOZART & BEETHOVEN
Thursday, September 24, at 7:30 p.m.
Xian Zhang conductor
Jon Kimura Parker piano
Still Mother and Child
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21
Beethoven Symphony No. 5
TINY CLIPS FOR TINY TOTS: WELCOME BACK ORCHESTRA
Friday, October 2, at 11 a.m.
John Turman host
Seattle Symphony musicians
BARBER VIOLIN CONCERTO
Thursday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m.
Shiyeon Sung conductor
Simone Porter violin
Korngold Dance in the Old Style
Barber Violin Concerto
Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings
SHOSTAKOVICH & HAYDN
Thursday, October 15, at 7:30 p.m.
Joseph Young conductor
Tengku Irfan piano
David Gordon trumpet
Carlos Simon An Elegy: A Cry from the Grave
Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 1
Haydn Symphony No. 104, “London"
VIVALDI THE FOUR SEASONS
Thursday, October 22, at 7:30 p.m.
Rachell Ellen Wong conductor & violin
Vivaldi The Four Seasons
MENDELSSOHN VIOLIN CONCERTO
Thursday, October 29, at 7:30 p.m.
Lee Mills conductor
Noah Geller violin
Jessie Montgomery Starburst
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 3, “Scottish”