NOTICE OF PROGRAM CHANGE: BARBER VIOLIN CONCERTO TO REPLACE VIVALDI FOUR SEASONS IN SEATTLE SYMPHONY’S MAY 16, 17 & 18 PERFORMANCES
VIOLINIST JAMES EHNES RETURNS TO BENAROYA HALL, JOINED BY GUEST CONDUCTOR ELIM CHAN
CONCERT FEATURES UNSUK CHIN’S SUBITO CON FORZA FOR ORCHESTRA, BARBER’S VIOLIN CONCERTO AND BEETHOVEN’S SYMPHONY NO. 1
Seattle, WA – The Seattle Symphony presents a newly revised program featuring the Barber Violin Concerto and works by Beethoven and Unsuk Chin. This replaces the previously announced Vivaldi Four Seasons program on May 16, 17 & 18 in the upcoming 2023/2024 season at Benaroya Hall. The Symphony is thrilled to be joined by conductor Elim Chan and violinist James Ehnes for this concert, which features Ehnes performing Barber’s magnificent Violin Concerto and Chan leading the orchestra for Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 and Unsuk Chin’s subito con forza for orchestra.
The concert program opens with Unsuk Chin’s subito con forza, written for Beethoven’s 250th anniversary year and inspired by the late composer’s conversation books. Next, James Ehnes, internationally acclaimed violinist, returns to the Benaroya Hall stage for a performance of Barber’s Violin Concerto, which features two lyrical, melodic movements followed by a virtuosic, break-neck speed finale. Rounding out the program is Beethoven’s First Symphony, an homage to Viennese traditions and a work with widespread influence as it introduced some of Beethoven’s original revolutionary techniques to the classical canon.
Ticket Information
For more information on tickets to Barber Violin Concerto, please visit seattlesymphony.org or contact the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office. The Seattle Symphony Ticket Office is located in Benaroya Hall, at Third Avenue and Union Street. The Ticket Office can be reached by phone at 206.215.4747 during the following times: Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
ELIM CHAN | CONDUCTOR
Elim Chan has been Principal Conductor of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra since 2019 and the Principal Guest Conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra since 2018. During the 2022/2023 season, she toured Spain with the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra as well as debuting with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and San Francisco Symphony. Other appearances included conducting orchestras in Toronto, Cincinnati and Atlanta, and her return to perform with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
In 2014, she was the first female winner of the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition, enabling her to spend the 2015/2016 season as Assistant Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, where she worked closely with renowned conductor Valery Gergiev. Chan was also a recipient of the prestigious Dudamel Fellowship program with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Chan studied at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, and the University of Michigan.
JAMES EHNES | VIOLIN
James Ehnes has established himself as one of the most sought-after violinists on the international stage. Gifted with a rare combination of stunning virtuosity, serene lyricism and unfaltering musicality, Ehnes is a favorite guest of many of the world’s most respected conductors. Ehnes’s long list of orchestras includes the Boston, Chicago, London, NHK and Vienna symphony orchestras, the Los Angeles, New York, Munich and Czech philharmonic orchestras, and the Cleveland, Philadelphia, Philharmonia and DSO Berlin orchestras. Following the launch of his online series ‘Recitals from Home’ in June 2020, Ehnes was described as being “at the absolute forefront of the streaming evolution” (Le Devoir), and his recordings have since been met with great critical acclaim by audiences worldwide.
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
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, 27 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 750,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts, and through the Seattle Symphony+ streaming service, the orchestra’s concerts reach audiences at home and around the world.
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BARBER VIOLIN CONCERTO
MASTERWORKS SERIES
Thursday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 17, at 12 p.m.
Saturday, May 18, at 8 p.m.
Elim Chan conductor
James Ehnes violin
Seattle Symphony
Unsuk Chin subito con forza for orchestra
Barber Violin Concerto
Beethoven Symphony No. 1