SEATTLE SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES CONCERTS THROUGH 2020
LUDOVIC MORLOT RETURNS TO GUEST CONDUCT, SETH PARKER WOODS PREMIERES NEW WORK BY TYSHAWN SOREY, AND SEATTLE SYMPHONY MUSICIANS TAKE CENTER STAGE
THOMAS DAUSGAARD AND SEATTLE SYMPHONY LAUNCH THEIR FIRST-EVER PODCAST ON OCTOBER 27, 2020
Seattle, WA — The Seattle Symphony boldly marched into its current season last month, starting with a celebration that brought the season opening concert to the community. Since then, the Symphony has been livestreaming new concerts every week through Seattle Symphony Live, its streaming service. Among the few orchestras in the region moving forward with fall programming, the Symphony is maintaining flexibility and responsiveness by announcing programming in regular installments. This November and December, slated performances close out 2020 with an exciting concert lineup that sees the return of Judith Fong Conductor Emeritus Ludovic Morlot, the world premiere of a commissioned work by Tyshawn Sorey, and a roster of acclaimed guest artists from within the orchestra’s own ranks and across the country.
At the start of November, the Seattle Symphony welcomes Judith Fong Conductor Emeritus Ludovic Morlot back to Benaroya Hall for two special performances. Morlot, who previously served as the Symphony’s Music Director from 2011–2019, returns for back-to-back concerts with phenomenal guest artists — Seattle Symphony’s own Principal Flute Demarre McGill, Principal Harp Valerie Muzzolini and acclaimed cellist Alisa Weilerstein. McGill and Muzzolini bring their artistry in Frank Martin’s Ballade and Debussy’s Danses sacrée et profane. Morlot’s second concert opens with Caroline Shaw’s Entr'acte followed by Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 2 performed by Weilerstein.
November will also see the world premiere of For Roscoe Mitchell, a new work by the Seattle Symphony’s 2019–2020 Composer in Residence, Tyshawn Sorey; debuting the work for cello and orchestra is cellist Seth Parker Woods, the Symphony’s 2019–2020 Artist in Residence. Sorey’s work was originally commissioned for last season’s Beethoven Festival, which had to be canceled due to the pandemic, with Woods set to premiere it with the orchestra. Commissioned to mark the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, For Roscoe Mitchell will receive its premiere alongside Brett Dean’s Testament and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4, in a concert conducted by David Robertson.
In addition to these anticipated performances, November and December concerts showcase the breadth and versatility of the Seattle Symphony with offerings from several signature series. Family and educational programming take the digital stage with Family Concert: Fire, which explores what ignites a young musician’s passion to perform, and two holiday concerts — Tiny Clips for Tiny Tots: A Winter Wonderland and Family Concert: Air. Seattle-based indie rock band Ivan & Alyosha feature in the second concert of The Essential Series, which unites musicians of the orchestra with local artists in cross-genre collaborations. The later part of December also celebrates the holiday season with a suite of festive concerts with performances by Broadway star N’Kenge and harpsichordist Jory Vinikour.
Music Director Thomas Dausgaard and the Seattle Symphony are excited to launch the Symphony’s first podcast, On a High Note with Thomas Dausgaard, later this month. The series features Dausgaard guiding listeners through an in-depth exploration of the Seattle Symphony this season. Episodes will bring a behind-the-scenes look at the Symphony to dedicated fans as well as engaging discussion between Dausgaard and Symphony musicians. The first episode of On a High Note with Thomas Dausgaard airs on October 27, 2020.
Due to health and safety travel concerns in conjunction with ongoing travel restrictions, Music Director Thomas Dausgaard will not be joining the orchestra onstage until later this season. The Seattle Symphony looks forward to sharing Thomas’ exhilarating performances from the podium again soon.
CONCERT SCHEDULE: NOVEMBER–DECEMBER
MORLOT CONDUCTS DEBUSSY & MARTIN
MASTERWORKS SEASON
Thursday, November 5, at 7:30 p.m.
Ludovic Morlot conductor
Demarre McGill flute
Valerie Muzzolini harp
Thomas Adès Three Studies from Couperin
Debussy Danses sacrée et profane
Martin Ballade
Honegger Symphony No. 2
Conductor Emeritus Ludovic Morlot returns to lead a program of enchanting and colorful scores. Seattle Symphony Principal Flute Demarre McGill takes center stage for Martin’s Ballade and Seattle Symphony Principal Harp Valerie Muzzolini showcases the full harmonic range of the harp with Debussy’s Danses sacrée et profane. Honegger’s brooding Symphony No. 2 rounds out the program.
2020–2021 Masterworks Season Sponsor: Delta Air Lines
Ludovic Morlot’s position has been generously underwritten as the Judith Fong Conductor Emeritus.
SHOSTAKOVICH CELLO CONCERTO NO. 2
MASTERWORKS SEASON
Thursday, November 12, at 7:30 p.m.
Ludovic Morlot conductor
Alisa Weilerstein cello
Caroline Shaw Entr'acte
Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 2
Beethoven Symphony No. 8
With her “technical brilliance” and “take-no-prisoners emotional investment that is evident in every bar” (The New York Times), Alisa Weilerstein is the perfect match for Shostakovich’s powerful Cello Concerto No. 2. Conductor Emeritus Ludovic Morlot takes the podium for this compelling program, opening the evening with Caroline Shaw’s evocative, Haydn-inspired Entr’acte and concluding with Beethoven’s spirited Symphony No. 8.
2020–2021 Masterworks Season Sponsor: Delta Air Lines
Ludovic Morlot’s position has been generously underwritten as the Judith Fong Conductor Emeritus.
FAMILY CONCERT: FIRE
FAMILY CONCERTS
Saturday, November 14, at 11 a.m.
Danielle Kuhlmann host
Lee Mills conductor
Rachell Ellen Wong conductor & violin
Joseph Young conductor
Xian Zhang conductor
Tengku Irfan piano
David Gordon trumpet
Featuring spirited selections from our fall broadcasts on Seattle Symphony Live, this fire-themed family concert showcases artist stories from Seattle and across the globe. Learn what ignites a young musician’s passion to perform and be inspired to persevere through difficult times.
Extend your experience by joining online activities featuring downloadable crafts and instrument exploration videos.
Seattle Symphony Family Programs supported by The Klorfine Foundation.
SOREY & BEETHOVEN
MASTERWORKS SEASON
Thursday, November 19, at 7:30 p.m.
David Robertson conductor
Seth Parker Woods cello
Brett Dean Testament
Tyshawn Sorey For Roscoe Mitchell for Cello & Orchestra (Seattle Symphony commission & World Premiere)
Beethoven Symphony No. 4
Tyshawn Sorey’s effortless mastery and extraordinary ability to blend composition and improvisation are on full display in his world premiere piece for cello and orchestra, For Roscoe Mitchell, featuring cellist and former Seattle Symphony Artist in Residence Seth Parker Woods. Beethoven’s joyful Fourth Symphony completes a special evening juxtaposing old with new, classical with modern, 19th century Europe with 21st century America.
2020–2021 Masterworks Season Sponsor: Delta Air Lines
Tyshawn Sorey's For Roscoe Mitchell is presented in partnership with Goethe Pop Up Seattle.
TINY CLIPS FOR TINY TOTS: A WINTER WONDERLAND
TINY CLIPS FOR TINY TOTS
Friday, December 4, at 11 a.m.
John Turman host
Andy Liang violin
Brittany Breeden violin
Olivia Chew viola
Eric Han cello
Jordan Anderson bass
Tiny Clips for Tiny Tots, modeled after the Symphony's Tiny Tots concert series, offers short performances full of fun and discovery for the young and young at heart. Host and Seattle Symphony Horn John Turman will introduce young viewers to the instruments of the string family. For this festive December program, Seattle Symphony musicians create a magical winter wonderland through classic sing-a-longs and your favorite holiday music. These virtual, interactive and fun concerts are approximately 18 minutes.
Seattle Symphony Family Programs supported by The Klorfine Foundation.
IVAN & ALYOSHA WITH THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY
THE ESSENTIAL SERIES
Friday, December 4, at 8 p.m.
Lee Mills conductor
Ivan & Alyosha
Seattle-based indie rock band Ivan & Alyosha, also known as I&A, is led by vocalist Tim Wilson, his songwriting partners Ryan Carbary (guitar) and Pete Wilson (bass), as well as guitarist Tim Kim and drummer Cole Mauro. Known for their sweet, Beatles-esque pop harmonies and jangly guitar licks, this five-piece group has toured with everyone from Aimee Mann, Needtobreathe and Brandi Carlile. Now, with a decade of touring and recording under their belts, Ivan & Alyosha continue to hone their creative voice, unafraid to let their sound evolve while staying true to their folk-pop roots.
2020–2021 Essential Series Title Sponsor: The John & Ginny Meisenbach Foundation
Media Sponsor for The Essential Series: KEXP 90.3 FM
HOLIDAY POPS WITH THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY
POPS SERIES
Friday, December 11, at 8 p.m.
Stuart Chafetz conductor
N’Kenge vocals
Join conductor Stuart Chafetz and Broadway star N’Kenge for a dazzling program full of holiday favorites, traditional carols and plenty of yuletide cheer. All of the heartwarming sounds of the season await you at this lighthearted and joyful concert.
2020-2021 Pops Series Sponsor: The John & Ginny Meisenbach Foundation
J.S. BACH BRANDENBURG CONCERT NO. 5
HOLIDAY SPECIAL
Thursday, December 17, at 7:30 p.m.
Jory Vinikour conductor & harpsichord
Handel Selections from Rodrigo
Rameau Selections from Hippolyte et Aricie
W.F. Bach Harpsichord Concerto, F. 41
J.S. Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
Celebrate the holidays with acclaimed harpsichordist Jory Vinikour and the masters of the Baroque. Wilhelm Friedemann Bach’s sprightly Harpsichord Concerto continues the musical language of his father, Johann Sebastian Bach, which is exemplified in the elder Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5.
FAMILY CONCERT: AIR
FAMILY CONCERTS
Saturday, December 19, at 11 a.m.
John DiCesare host & tuba
David Gordon trumpet
Alexander White trumpet
Jeffrey Fair horn
Ko-ichiro Yamamoto trombone
Celebrate the Holidays with your family and the Seattle Symphony brass quintet. This frosty air-themed concert invites you to enjoy your festive favorites and more.
Extend your experience by joining online activities featuring downloadable crafts and instrument exploration videos.
Seattle Symphony Family Programs supported by The Klorfine Foundation.
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 730,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts.
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