NOTICE OF CONDUCTOR CHANGE: FARKHAD KHUDYEV TO REPLACE LEE MILLS IN VIENNESE NEW YEAR CONCERTS
KHUDYEV WILL JOIN THE SYMPHONY FOR PERFORMANCES OF VIENNESE NEW YEAR ON DECEMBER 30 & JANUARY 2
SEATTLE, WA — Seattle Symphony Associate Conductor Lee Mills will be replaced by Farkhad Khudyev for the orchestra’s Viennese New Year program on Thursday, December 30, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 2, at 2 p.m. Mills has regretfully withdrawn from these performances due to illness.
Khudyev joins the Seattle Symphony at the podium to usher in 2022 in true Golden Age style, with music drawn from the glittering ballrooms of Vienna. Featuring a selection of waltzes, polkas and marches, including music by Mozart, Lehár and Johann Strauss and his family, the concerts bring Seattle Symphony Principal Second Violin Elisa Barston to centerstage, as well as guest tenor Nicholas Phan.
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 except in designated refreshment areas. This is in addition to numerous safety measures, including a hospital-grade air filtration system, increased cleaning and more. For additional information about how the Symphony is working to ensure a safe return to live music, please visit the Safety Page. Additionally, the Seattle Symphony is implementing a flexible exchange and return policy through the end of the year.
ELISA BARSTON | VIOLIN
Praised for her “glowing sound” and “technical aplomb” (The Strad), violinist Elisa Barston is the Seattle Symphony’s Principal Second Violin. Prior to the appointment, she served as the Associate Concertmaster of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for eight seasons and was a first violin section member of The Cleveland Orchestra. As a soloist and chamber musician, Barston has performed extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, appearing with the Chicago Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the St. Louis and Taipei symphony orchestras, among many others. In 1986, she made her European debut with the English Chamber Orchestra at the request of Sir Yehudi Menuhin. Barston studied at the University of Southern California and Indiana University.
NICHOLAS PHAN | TENOR
Described by The Boston Globe as “one of the world’s most remarkable singers,” American tenor Nicholas Phan is increasingly recognized as an artist of distinction. Praised for his keen intelligence, captivating stage presence and natural musicianship, he performs regularly with the world’s leading orchestras and opera companies. Also an avid recitalist, in 2010 he co-founded the Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago (CAIC) to promote art song and vocal chamber music, where he serves as artistic director.
FARKHAD KHUDYEV | CONDUCTOR
Described as a “magician on the podium” (Performing Arts Monterey Bay), with “the ability to connect with invisible worlds and to bring them alive in the music” (Herald), Mr. Khudyev has performed around the United States, Europe and Asia at world-class venues and festivals. Throughout his career, he has received many accolades, including the Gold Medal “Beethoven 250” Special Prize at the 1st International Arthur Nikisch Conducting Competition, the 3rd prize at the 8th International Sir Georg Solti Conducting Competition in Germany, and the Gold Medal and Grand Prize at the 2007 National Fischoff Chamber Music Competition in the US. Additionally, Mr. Khudyev has been recognized by the United States government as an Artist of Extraordinary Ability Currently, he serves as the Music Director of the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra and the Assistant Professor of Music in Orchestral Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, as well as the Music Director of the Orchestral Institute at the Hidden Valley Institute of the Arts in Carmel, California.
SEATTLE SYMPHONY LIVE
Seattle Symphony Live brings the orchestra’s dynamic performances to audiences anywhere in the world. Launched in 2020 to offer musical comfort despite the pandemic, the digital streaming service reached a global audience with its live concerts, behind-the-scenes interviews, educational videos and more. With subscriptions starting at $12.99 per month, Seattle Symphony Live makes engaging with the orchestra’s exceptional musical content more possible than ever before.
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 more than 750,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts.
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VIENNESE NEW YEAR PROGRAM
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES
Thursday, December 30, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 2, at 2 p.m.
Streaming: Thursday, December 30, at 7:30 p.m.
Farkhad Khudyev conductor
Elisa Barston violin
Nicholas Phan tenor
Johann, Jr. Strauss Die Fledermaus Overture
Korngold Straussiana
Mozart Abduction from the Seraglio: "Ich baue ganz auf deine Stärke"
Johann, Jr. Strauss Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka
Johann, Jr. Strauss Wine, Women, and Song
Von Suppé Light Cavalry Overture
Sarasate Zigeunerweisen
Johann, Jr. & Josef Strauss Pizzicato Polka
Lehár Schön ist die We
Lehár Das Land des Lächelns: "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz"
Josef Strauss Feuerfest
Johann, Jr. Strauss Emperor Waltzes
Lee Mills’ position is generously underwritten as the Douglas F. King Associate Conductor.