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.

October 31, November 1 & 2, 2008

Marek Janowski, conductor
Jonathan Biss, piano

Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 22, K. 482
Strauss: Alpine Symphony

Piano sensation Jonathan Biss performs Mozart’s charming Piano Concerto in E-flat Major. Strauss’ Alpine Symphony depicts the experiences of the composer’s own hikes in the Bavarian Alps.

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.

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 13 & 15, 2009

John Adams, conductor
Leila Josefowicz, violin

Adams: Dharma at Big Sur
Sibelius: Symphony No. 6
Britten: Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes

Adams’ Dharma at Big Sur is partly inspired by Kerouac’s book Big Sur as well as Buddhist and Hindu meditative traditions. International star Leila Josefowicz performs as soloist on the rarely featured electric violin. Britten’s orchestral suite is based on his own opera Peter Grimes, inspired by George Crabbe’s poem The Borough.

April 3, 4 & 5, 2009

Gianandrea Noseda, conductor
Simon Trpceski, piano
Sergey Murzaev, baritone
Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh

Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Rachmaninoff: Spring Cantata
Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 1

The opening concert of a 3-week Rachmaninoff Festival features pianist Trpceski in the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, inspired by Caprice No. 24 composed by violin virtuoso Paganini. Rachmaninoff’s rare jewel Spring Cantata is performed for the first time by the PSO and his Symphony No. 1 pleases with its beautiful melodies.

June 12 & 14, 2009

Manfred Honeck, conductor
Simona Saturová, soprano
Elizabeth DeShong, mezzo-soprano
Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh

Mahler: Symphony No. 2, “The Resurrection”

Manfred Honeck brings the 2008 • 2009 BNY Mellon Grand Classics Season to a close with Mahler’s sublime Symphony No. 2, known as “The Resurrection.” This monumental programmatic work, featuring full orchestra and chorus, proclaims the composer’s belief that there is life after death.