NOTICE OF ARTIST, PROGRAM CHANGE: ALESSIO BAX TO REPLACE PIANIST NICOLAS HODGES IN NOVEMBER 11 & 13 CONCERTS
SAINT-SAËNS PIANO CONCERTO NO. 2 TO REPLACE SIMON STEEN-ANDERSEN PIANO CONCERTO ON CONCERT PROGRAM
SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle Symphony will be joined by pianist Alessio Bax in place of Nicolas Hodges for the orchestra’s Brahms Symphony No. 1 program, with Music Director Thomas Dausgaard conducting, on November 11 at 7:30 p.m. and November 13 at 8 p.m. Unfortunately, the work visa requested on behalf of Hodges is delayed due to COVID-19-related travel issues.
The concerts feature Dausgaard conducting the orchestra for the first time since February 2020 — his return to Seattle was previously hindered by pandemic-related travel restrictions as well as delays to his work visa. In Dausgaard’s highly anticipated reunion with the orchestra, the performance opens with Beethoven’s Egmont Overture. Bax then takes the stage for Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2, which replaces Simon Steen-Andersen’s Piano Concerto on the program. The concert concludes with Brahms’ Symphony No. 1.
The Seattle Symphony is requiring all visitors to provide proof of vaccination (or present a negative COVID-19 test) with photo ID and wear masks at all times while in Benaroya Hall. This is in addition to numerous safety measures, including a hospital-grade air filtration system, increased cleaning, contactless ticketing systems and more. For additional information about how the Symphony is working to ensure a safe return to live music, please visit the Symphony’s Safety Page. Additionally, the Seattle Symphony is implementing a flexible exchange and return policy through the end of the year.
ALESSIO BAX | PIANO
Combining exceptional lyricism and insight with consummate technique, Alessio Bax is without a doubt “among the most remarkable young pianists now before the public” (Gramophone). He catapulted to prominence with First Prize wins at both the Leeds and Hamamatsu International Piano Competitions, and is now a familiar face on five continents, not only as a recitalist and chamber musician, but also as a concerto soloist who has appeared with more than 150 orchestras and collaborated with such eminent conductors as Marin Alsop, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Sir Andrew Davis, Sir Simon Rattle, Yuri Temirkanov, and Jaap van Zweden.
Bax constantly explores many facets of his career. He released his 11th Signum Classics album, Italian Inspirations, whose program was also the vehicle for his solo recital debut at New York’s 92nd Street Y as well as on tour. He recently embarked on a trio tour of Spain with violinist Joshua Bell and cellist Steven Isserlis. A Steinway artist, he lives in New York City with pianist Lucille Chung and their daughter, Mila. He was invited to join the piano faculty of Boston’s New England Conservatory in the fall of 2019.
THOMAS DAUSGAARD | CONDUCTOR
Music Director of the Seattle Symphony, Danish conductor Thomas Dausgaard is esteemed for his creativity and innovative programming, the excitement of his live performances and his extensive catalogue of critically acclaimed recordings. His programming in recent seasons has seen an increased focus on context, exploring the influences found in folk and liturgical music in orchestral works by a range of composers including Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Sibelius, Nielsen and Bartók.
Performing internationally with many of the world’s leading orchestras, Dausgaard is also the Chief Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. He also holds titles as Honorary Conductor of the Orchestra della Toscana (ORT) and the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, having previously served as its Chief Conductor from 2004–11; and Conductor Laureate of the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, having served as Chief Conductor from 1997–2019.
A renowned recording artist, Dausgaard’s releases with the Seattle Symphony have garnered critical acclaim resulting in international honors including a 2017 Gramophone Award nomination for Mahler’s Symphony No. 10 (Deryck Cooke version), Gramophone’s 2018 Orchestra of the Year Award, and a 2019 Best Orchestral Performance Grammy nomination for Nielsen’s Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4. An avid champion of contemporary works and the music of his homeland, Dausgaard and the Seattle Symphony are releasing the much-anticipated cycle of symphonies by Carl Nielsen throughout his tenure. A recent release with the orchestra features the world premiere live performance of George Walker’s Sinfonia No. 5, “Visions.”
Dausgaard has been awarded the Cross of Chivalry by the Queen of Denmark and elected to the Royal Academy of Music in Sweden. His interests beyond music are wide-ranging, and include architecture, landscape, and a love of learning the life and culture of different communities.
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 750,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts, and through the Seattle Symphony Live streaming service, the orchestra’s concerts reach audiences at home and around the world.
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BRAHMS SYMPHONY NO. 1
MASTERWORKS SERIES
Thursday, November 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 13, at 8 p.m.
Thomas Dausgaard conductor
Alessio Bax piano
Beethoven Egmont Overture
Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2
Brahms Symphony No. 1
2021–2022 Masterworks Season Sponsor: Delta Air Lines
Thomas Dausgaard’s position is generously underwritten as the Harriet Overton Stimson Music Director.