SEATTLE SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES NEW SEATTLE SYMPHONY LIVE SEASON
SELECT IN-PERSON CONCERTS WILL BE BROADCAST ON THE SYMPHONY’S STREAMING SERVICE
Seattle, WA –The Seattle Symphony is excited to announce a second season of livestreamed concerts on Seattle Symphony Live as part of its ongoing efforts to expand access to symphonic music. Launched in September 2020 to bring the thrill and comfort of music to audiences while the pandemic prevented in-person gatherings, Seattle Symphony Live now serves as a digital extension of the Symphony’s regular musical offerings, enabling viewers to watch dynamic performances from their own homes.
Livestreamed concerts will be broadcast in real-time on Seattle Symphony Live and will then be made available for on demand viewing for a full week after the initial airdate. Among the concerts slated for streaming are those considered season highlights, including multiple premieres and commissions, free family concerts, special performances and more.
“When the pandemic struck, we needed to transform if we wanted to offer music to our community. Within six weeks, we essentially launched our own production studio with Seattle Symphony Live, and that platform allowed us to bring our orchestra’s dynamic performances to audiences both here in Seattle and across the globe,” said Krishna Thiagarajan, President & CEO of the Seattle Symphony. “We now look forward to sharing concert broadcasts as part of our regular offerings to our supporters, expanding access to include premieres of new works, commissions from leading composers, free educational programs and more. While we are undeniably eager to open the doors of Benaroya Hall to the public this September, we are just as ecstatic to engage with our at-home audiences.”
Commissions and Premieres of New Works
Regarded as an orchestra “avid for new music” (The New Yorker), the Seattle Symphony extends its steady support for new works and current composers in the 2021–2022 season to streamed concerts on Seattle Symphony Live.
The Seattle Symphony is proud to present in the upcoming season: the world premiere of Composer in Residence Reena Esmail’s RE|Member, which will open the Symphony’s season on September 18; the world premiere of Han Lash’s The Peril of Dreams, a commissioned work for two harps with the composer themself debuting the work alongside Seattle Symphony Principal Harp Valerie Muzzolini; a new co-commissioned work by Joel Thompson; the U.S. premiere of Tan Dun’s Trombone Concerto (a Seattle Symphony co-commission) and the world premiere of Reena Esmail and Kala Ramnath’s Violin Concerto (a Seattle Symphony commission); and new works by Angélica Negrón and Ellen Reid as part of the Symphony’s Sibelius Cycle with Seattle Symphony Music Director Thomas Dausgaard.
World Class Soloists
Throughout the season, viewers at home can enjoy lively performances from acclaimed guest artists. On November 4, violinist Ray Chen joins the Symphony for the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. Grammy Award-nominated Avi Avital returns to Benaroya Hall on January 22 with his electric mandolin performance. Violinist Isabelle Faust performs the original version of the Sibelius Violin Concerto on April 22.
Other exciting guests sharing the digital stage this season include: pianist Hélène Grimaud in Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G conducted by Peter Oundjian on December 2; Garrick Ohlsson performing Stenhammar’s Piano Concerto No. 2 on February 3; pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard, making his Seattle Symphony debut with conductor Dalia Stasevska on March 3; violinist James Ehnes performing Korngold Violin Concerto on March 17; and pianist Wayne Marshall performing an all-Gershwin program on June 22.
Pops Programs From Holiday Hits to Classic Rock
This season, Seattle Symphony Live also shares performances from the John & Ginny Meisenbach Foundation Pops Series. From holiday hits to classic rock, audiences at home can also enjoy the Symphony’s popular programming that brings new shows representing a broad spectrum of musical styles and entertainment to the Benaroya Hall stage. Featured guests in the digital season include Broadway star N’Kenge with conductor Stuart Chafetz, who bring lighthearted holiday cheer; and Shem von Schroeck, Micah Wilshire and Lori Zabka on vocals and guitar with conductor Michael Krajewski bringing anthemic classic rock hits to audiences.
For more information about the Seattle Symphony’s 2021–2022 season and the programs mentioned above, please visit the Seattle Symphony Press Room.
Delta Masterworks Season | Baroque & Wine Series, In Recital Series & more | The John & Ginny Meisenbach Foundation Pops Series
Seattle Symphony Live subscriptions will go on sale mid-September. Monthly subscriptions to Seattle Symphony Live are priced at $12.99 per month; annual subscriptions are $129.99. Symphony donors at the Friends level and above enjoy complimentary access to the streaming service. Please visit Seattle Symphony Live to learn more.
SEATTLE SYMPHONY LIVE
Seattle Symphony Live brings the Seattle Symphony’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, streamed concerts and radio broadcasts.
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SEATTLE SYMPHONY LIVE CONCERT LISTINGS
OPENING NIGHT
Saturday, September 18, at 6:30 p.m.
Thomas Dausgaard conductor
Mary Lynch oboe
Reena Esmail RE|Member (Seattle Symphony Co-commission & World Premiere)
R. Strauss Don Juan
Stravinsky The Firebird Suite (1919 version)
R. SCHUMANN SYMPHONY NO. 3
Thursday, September 23, at 7:30 p.m.
David Robertson conductor
Natalie Dietrich aeolian dust
Ives Three Places in New England (Original Version)
R. Schumann Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish”
RACHMANINOV SYMPHONIC DANCES
Thursday, October 7, at 7:30 p.m.
Thomas Dausgaard conductor
Patricia Kopatchinskaja violin
Rossini Semiramide Overture
Francisco Coll Violin Concerto (Seattle Symphony Co-commission & U.S. Premiere)
Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances
FROM BACH TO RAMEAU
Friday, October 22, at 8:00 p.m.
Jory Vinikour conductor & harpsichord
Eduardo Rios violin
Jeffrey Barker flute
Handel Selections from Rodrigo
Rameau Selections from Hippolyte et Aricie
J.S. Bach Harpsichord Concerto in D minor
J.S. Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
RAY CHEN PLAYS TCHAIKOVSKY VIOLIN CONCERTO
Thursday, November 4, at 7:30 p.m.
Michael Sanderling conductor
Ray Chen violin
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto
Shostakovich Symphony No. 11, “The Year 1905”
BEACH GAELIC SYMPHONY
Thursday, November 18, at 7:30 p.m.
Thomas Dausgaard conductor
Han Lash harp
Valerie Muzzolini harp
Han Lash The Peril of Dreams (Seattle Symphony Commission & World Premiere)
Beach Symphony No. 2, “Gaelic”
BARBER SYMPHONY NO. 1
Thursday, December 2, at 7:30 p.m.
Peter Oundjian conductor
Hélène Grimaud piano
Stephen Newby narrator
Price/arr. Oundjian Andante cantabile from String Quartet No. 2
Ravel Piano Concerto in G
Joel Thompson To Awaken the Sleeper (Seattle Symphony Co-commission)
Barber Symphony No. 1
HOLIDAY POPS
Friday, December 10, at 8:00 p.m.
Stuart Chafetz conductor
N’Kenge vocalist
VIENNESE NEW YEAR
Thursday, December 30, at 7:30 p.m.
Lee Mills conductor
Nicholas Phan tenor
AVI AVITAL THE FOUR SEASONS
Thursday, January 13, at 7:30 p.m.
Avi Avital conductor & mandolin
Nell Snaides soprano
Vivaldi The Four Seasons
Traditional Venetian Gondolier Songs
DAUSGAARD SIBELIUS SYMPHONY NO. 1
Thursday, February 3, at 7:30 p.m.
Thomas Dausgaard conductor
Garrick Ohlsson piano
Ellen Reid New Work (Seattle Symphony Commission & World Premiere)
Stenhammar Piano Concerto No. 2
Sibelius Symphony No. 1
DVOŘÁK NEW WORLD SYMPHONY
Thursday, March 3, 7:30 p.m.
Dalia Stasevska conductor
Pierre-Laurent Aimard piano
Adolphus Hailstork Epitaph for a Man who Dreamed
Bartok Piano Concerto No. 2
Dvořák Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”
TCHAIKOVSKY SYMPHONY NO. 5
Thursday, March 17, at 7:30 p.m.
Joshua Weilerstein conductor
James Ehnes violin
Still Poem for Orchestra
Korngold Violin Concerto
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5
CELEBRATE ASIA
Sunday, March 20, at 4:00 p.m.
Kahchun Wong conductor
Ko-ichiro Yamamoto trombone
Kala Ramnath Hindustani violin & composer
Toshio Hosokawa Meditation
Tan Dun Trombone Concerto (Seattle Symphony Co-commission & U.S. Premiere)
Reena Esmail/Kala Ramnath Violin Concerto (Seattle Symphony Commission & World Premiere)
Debussy La Mer
MAHLER SYMPHONY NO. 6
Thursday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m.
Thomas Dausgaard conductor
Francesco Piemontesi piano
R. Strauss Burleske
Mahler Symphony No. 6
DAUSGAARD SIBELIUS SYMPHONY NO. 2
Thursday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m.
Thomas Dausgaard conductor
Isabelle Faust violin
Angélica Negrón Commission (World Premiere)
Sibelius Violin Concerto (Original Version)
Sibelius Symphony No. 2
THE MIRACULOUS MANDARIN
Thursday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m.
Roderick Cox conductor
Noah Geller violin
Dawson Negro Folk Symphony
Glazunov Violin Concerto
Bartok The Miraculous Mandarin Suite
THE VINYL YEARS: A CLASSIC ROCK SONGBOOK
Friday, May 6, at 8:00 p.m.
Michael Krajewski conductor
Lori Zabka guitar & vocals
Shem von Schroeck guitar & vocals
Micah Wilshire guitar & vocals
FROM PURCELL TO BACH
Friday, May 20, at 8:00 p.m.
Anthony Romanuik conductor, harpsichord & organ
Muffat Sonata No. 1, Armonico tributo
Purcell/arr. Romanuik An Imaginary Suite
Handel Organ Concerto in F major
J.S. Bach Sinfonia from Cantata No. 106
J.S. Bach Harpsichord Concerto No. 6
WAYNE MARSHALL PLAYS & CONDUCTS GERSHWIN
Thursday, June 9, at 7:30 p.m.
Wayne Marshall conductor & piano
Gershwin Concerto in F
Gershwin Second Rhapsody
Gershwin An American in Paris
Sponsors
2021–2022 Masterworks Season Sponsor: Delta Air Lines
2021-2022 Pops Series Sponsor: The John and Ginny Meisenbach Foundation
Krishna Thiagarajan's position is generously underwritten as the Leslie Jackson Chihuly President & CEO.
Thomas Dausgaard's position is generously underwritten as the Harriet Overton Stimson Music Director.
Lee Mills’ position is generously underwritten as the Douglas F. King Associate Conductor.
Noah Geller’s position is generously underwritten as the David & Amy Fulton Concertmaster.
Principal Oboe Mary Lynch's position is generously supported by Anonymous donors.
Beach Gaelic Symphony is generously underwritten by The Richard E. Lang and Jane Lang Davis Living Music Program.
Reena Esmail's RE|Member, Han Lash's The Peril of Dreams, Francisco Coll's Violin Concerto, Joel Thompson's To Awaken the Sleeper, Ellen Reid's New Work and Angélica Negrón's New Work, are all presented as part of the Seattle Symphony’s New Music WORKS initiative, which is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. New Music WORKS features commissions, concerts and educational activities that use composition as a catalyst for collaboration and engagement in music.