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Contact:
Public Relations Director
The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra
Phone: 407/896-6700 x 223
Fax: 407/896-5512
gmiller@orlandophil.org
www.orlandophil.org |
Orlando, FL – August 13, 2006 –The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates a new Music Director and a new season of music as it kicks-off its 2006-2007 season on Saturday, September 30, 2006. The season begins with the first concert in the orchestra’s flagship series, Phil at Carr, titled Opening Night: Our Music Director’s Debut, featuring pianist Peter Serkin. The concert takes place at 8:30 PM at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, 401 W. Livingston Street, Orlando. The concert is sponsored by the Friends of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. The title sponsor of the Phil at Carr Series is Orlando Sentinel Communications.
The Philharmonic’s new Music Director, Christopher Wilkins, has assembled a dynamic program of masterpieces that embody both tradition and innovation. Included are Debussy’s La Mer, a musical poem about the sea that contains ideas considered to have changed orchestral composition forever; and Mendelssohn’s emotionally evocative work, The Hebrides. The program also features music of contemporary composer Kevin Puts; a movement from his third symphony, titled I have a recurrent dream.
Christopher Wilkins comes to Orlando with extensive experience. For ten seasons, he was Music Director of the San Antonio Symphony, and since 2001 has served that orchestra as Music Director Emeritus. He was Music Director of the Colorado Springs Symphony from 1989-1996. In addition to his job as Music Director of the Orlando Philharmonic, Wilkins recently accepted the position of Music Director of the Akron Symphony.
Guest pianist Peter Serkin takes the stage in this opening night celebration to perform Brahms’ great masterpiece, Piano Concerto No. 2 in B flat Major, which is artistically demanding for both piano and orchestra.
Serkin, recognized as an artist of passion and integrity, has successfully conveyed the essence of five centuries of repertoire throughout his career. His performances with symphony orchestras, recital appearances, chamber music collaborations and recordings are respected worldwide.
Maestro Wilkins describes his enthusiasm for our guest artist’s performance:
“Since I was a child, I have loved the Brahms piano concertos. I came to know them through a recording I prized. The pianist on that album was Rudolph Serkin. In college, I was spellbound by a recording of Messaien’s Quartet for the End of Time. The pianist on that album was Peter Serkin. It is with deep pleasure and pride that we welcome Peter Serkin to our stage on opening night. Our program combines the classic grandeur of Brahms with forward-looking pieces of the past and the present, as seems only appropriate when hosting a Serkin.”
The Philharmonic’s Opening Night Celebration begins with a gala dinner, hosted by the Friends of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. This gala dinner is held at Orlando Marriott Downtown Expo Center in the Lake Highland Room, located in the East Lobby. Dinner guests will enjoy music, mingling and wine in the foyer prior to a sumptuous, seated, three-course dinner in the ballroom. Dinner guests are invited to an exclusive backstage reception after the concert. The cost of the dinner event is $100 per person, and includes the pre-concert opening night dinner and post-concert reception. (Tickets to the concert, Opening Night: Our Music Director’s Debut, are sold separately.) To make dinner reservations, phone 407-896-6700, or mail a check to The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Attn: Gretchen Miller Basso, 812 E. Rollins Street, Suite 300, Orlando, FL 32803. Reservations are limited, so be sure to order your tickets early.
We hope that you will join the Orlando Philharmonic in this celebration of a new era and a new Music Director, Christopher Wilkins! This concert performance will be sure to set the stage for a dynamic new season of fabulous musical experiences.
Subscriptions to the Orlando Philharmonic’s Phil at Carr Series are presently on sale, and range in price from $36 to $490. Single tickets are $13, $26, $36, $46 and $60. To purchase subscriptions and single tickets, phone the Philharmonic’s box office at 407-770-0071, or visit the Philharmonic’s website at www.orlandophil.org.
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