FRIDAY BRAVURA SERIES

October 17 & 19, 2008

Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Hila Plitmann, soprano
Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh

Adams: Slonimsky's Earbox
Bermel: “Pittsburgh 250” co-commission
Dvorák: Symphony No. 9, “ From the New World”

Celebrating Pittsburgh’s 250th Anniversary, the PSO co-commissions a work from Bermel, along with the Andy Warhol Museum and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, to celebrate the city’s illustrious history. PSO Composer of the Year John Adams’ Slonimsky’s Earbox is influenced by Stravinsky’s driving rhythms. The popular “New World” Symphony was inspired by Dvorák’s visit to America.

November 28 & 30, 2008

Manfred Honeck, conductor
Lars Vogt, piano

Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21, K. 467
Music of the Strauss Family

German pianist Lars Vogt performs Mozart’s Piano Concerto in C Major, and the concert features delightful and beloved waltzes, polkas and mazurkas by Johann Strauss, Jr., and his brothers.

January 23 & 25, 2008

Andrés Cárdenes, conductor
Gabriela Montero, piano

Barber: Symphony No. 1
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5, “Reformation”

Pianist Gabriela Montero joins conductor Andrés Cárdenes in Gershwin’s jazz-inspired and ever popular Rhapsody in Blue. Ms. Montero also performs a few of her own improvisations on the spot, a talent that has made her and her concerts uniquely famous. The concert ends with Mendelssohn’s moving “Reformation” Symphony.

February 6, 7 & 8, 2009

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, conductor
Andrés Cárdenes, violin

Beethoven: Symphony No. 8
Lalo: Symphonie espagnole
Ravel: Bolero

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 is lively and joyful. PSO Concertmaster Andrés Cárdenes shines in Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole, a charming violin concerto full of Spanish flavor. Ravel’s mesmerizing Bolero brings you to your feet for a grand finale!

March 5, 6 & 7, 2009

Charles Dutoit, conductor
Yuja Wang, piano

Debussy: Afternoon of a Faun
Debussy: La Mer
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2
Stravinsky: Dumbarton Oaks

Legendary conductor Charles Dutoit brings a program of French and Russian music, featuring Debussy’s colorful “The Sea” and peaceful Afternoon of a Faun. At the young age of 20, pianist Yuja Wang has become an international sensation. She performs Prokofiev’s virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 2 with its heart-pounding finale.

March 27 & 29, 2009

Gianandrea Noseda, conductor
Nikolaj Znaider, violin

Webern: Passacaglia, Opus 1
Korngold: Violin Concerto
Schubert: Symphony in C Major, "Great"

Violinist Nikolaj Znaider performs the sumptuous Violin Concerto by Korngold, a Viennese master who later became renowned for classic film scores of the 1940’s. Italian conductor Gianandrea Noseda brings Schubert’s “Great” Symphony to Heinz Hall for a rousing finale.

June 4, 5 & 6, 2009

Manfred Honeck, conductor
Frank Peter Zimmerman, violin

Beethoven: Egmont Overture
Mozart: Symphony No. 38, “Prague”
Beethoven: Violin Concerto

Beethoven’s powerful and expressive overture is based on the heroic life story of the Count of Egmont. Mozart dedicated his Symphony No. 38 as a gesture of appreciation to the people of Prague. Violin virtuoso Frank Peter Zimmerman performs Beethoven’s poignant and emotionally stirring Violin Concerto.