Leif Bjaland and the Orchestra perform seven dynamic concerts that are programmed thematically to a World of Music. The series incorporates numerous epic works and dynamic guest artists.

SERIES SUBSCRIBER PACKAGES
DISCOVERY $125 – $340 per sub. 8 p.m., Van Wezel MW1 Fri Nov 12 MW3 Fri Jan 7 MW4 Sat Jan 29 MW6 Thur Mar 10 MW7 Thur Mar 31	NEEL FANFARE $160 – $260 per sub. Fridays 8 p.m., Neel MW2 Dec 3 MW4 Jan 28 MW5 Feb 18 MW6 Mar 11 MW7 Apr 1	SATURDAY SIGNATURE $169 – $450 per sub. 8 p.m., Van Wezel MW1 Nov 13 MW2 Dec 4 MW3 Jan 8 MW5 Feb 19 MW6 Mar 12 MW7 Apr 2	SUNDAY MATINEE $179 – $399 per sub. 2:30 p.m., Van Wezel MW1 Nov 14 MW2 Dec 5 MW3 Jan 9 MW4 Jan 30 MW5 Feb 20 MW6 Mar 13 MW7 Apr 3

Virtuoso

Leif Bjaland, conductor | Vadim Gluzman, violin
November 12, 13, 14, 2010 (MW1)

In a thrilling program of short, colorful works, the Orchestra and guest artist prove their virtuosity. Revel in the passionate Gypsy violin of Ravel's Tzigane and the pyrotechnics of Wieniawski's Brilliant Fantasy. The finale presents three virtuoso tales of people acting badly: the vengeful Medea, the libertine Salome and the prankster Till.

Vadim Gluzman: A highly acclaimed recording artist and soloist, Israeli violinist Vadim Gluzman is lauded as a performer of great virtuosity and technical brilliance. He has performed from London’s Wigmore Hall to Carnegie Hall.

ADAMS • Short Ride in a Fast Machine | RAVEL • Tzigane • Vadim Gluzman, violin
TCHAIKOVSKY/GLAZUNOV • Méditation from Souvenir d’un lieu cher • Vadim Gluzman, violin
WEINIAWSKI • Fantasie brillante on Themes from Gounod’s Faust • Vadim Gluzman, violin
BARBER • Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance
R. STRAUSS • Dance of the Seven Veils from Salome | R. STRAUSS • Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks

Russia

Leif Bjaland, conductor | Ya-Fei Chuang, piano
December 3, 4, 5, 2010 (MW2)

Russian literature, ballet, and classical music are distinctive and passionate. Experience Mily Balakirev's musical work entitled Russia. Enjoy Rachmaninoff's second Piano Concerto, which has become the most enduring and popular of his works. The evening's journey will conclude with the high voltage Prokofiev 5th Symphony, which is a triumphant testament to the Russian spirit. 

Ya-Fei Chuang: Award-winning pianist Ya-Fei Chuang is turning heads. She has been described as performing with excitement and power, tender and heroic, full of vibrant flourishes.

BALAKIREV • Russia | RACHMANINOFF • Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor • Ya-Fei Chuang
PROKOFIEV • Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major

España

Leif Bjaland, conductor | Caroline Goulding, violin | Jeanine DeBique, vocalist | Robert Belinic, guitar
January 7, 8, 9, 2011 (MW3)

A collage of 10 brilliant works with a Spanish accent. From Ravel's Bolero, to Sarasate's passionate Carmen Fantasy and Chabrier's rousing España, instrumental color and rhythm flows through the concert hall. Featuring three dynamic guest artists, this flowing program, without intermission, promises to be an unforgettable experience. 

Caroline Goulding: Aspen Music Festival’s Concerto Competition winner Caroline Goulding has appeared as soloist with many great orchestras.
Robert Belinic: Winner of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions in New York, Belinic’s impressive U.S. engagements include Carnegie Hall.
Jeanine DeBique: Soprano Jeanine DeBique won First Prize in the Young Concert Artists International Auditions and recently debuted in New York and Washington.

DEBUSSY • Syrinx • Betsy Hudson Traba, flute| AGUILA • Conga
CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO • Guitar Concerto No. 1 in D Major • Robert Belinic, guitar
SCHICKELE • Last Tango in Bayreuth | BRITTEN • Playful Pizzicato from Simple Symphony
CHABRIER • España | SARASATE • Fantasy on Bizet’s Carmen • Caroline Goulding, violin
VILLA-LOBOS • Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 • Jeanine De Bique, soprano
ROUSE • Ku-Ka-llimoku | RAVEL • Boléro

Rome

Leif Bjaland, conductor | Alessio Bax, piano
January 28, 29, 30, 2011 (MW4)

Berlioz' Roman Carnival Overture has been a success from the moment it premiered. Brilliant Italian pianist, Alessio Bax, will play a passionate rendition of Mozart's turbulent Piano Concerto No. 24. Mendelssohn lost his heart to the eternal city and penned his joyful Italian symphony. Respighi's Roman Festivals, a musical love letter to his adopted city, is a virtuoso show-stopper.

Alessio Bax: Winner of the 2009 Avery Fisher Career Grant, pianist Alessio Bax is praised for his lyrical playing and insightful interpretations. At just 33, he has appeared with more than 80 orchestras.

BERLIOZ • Roman Carnival Overture | MOZART • Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor • Allesio Bax, piano
MENDELSSOHN • Symphony No. 4 in A Major (Italian) | RESPIGHI • Feste romane (Roman Festivals)

Finlandia

Anu Tali, guest conductor | Jennifer Frautschi, violin
February 18, 19, 20, 2011 (MW5)

Join our guest conductor, Estonian maestra Anu Tali, as she leads the Orchestra in Sibelius' blazing hymn to the spirit of his homeland, Finlandia and Tchaikovsky's epic Fifth Symphony. Our guest violinist lends her bright and beautiful artistry to one of the most romantic and lyrical violin concertos, the Bruch Concerto in G minor.

Anu Tali: One of the most intriguing young conductors on the scene today, Anu Tali is co-founder of the Nordic Symphony Orchestra. She has been described as “dynamic” and “sparkling.”
Jennifer Frautschi: An Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient, Jennifer Frautschi is acclaimed as an adventurous performer with a wide-ranging repertoire. She made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2004.

SIBELIUS • Finlandia | BRUCH • Violin Concerto No.1 in G Minor • Jennifer Frautschi
TCHAIKOVSKY • Symphony No. 5, E Minor

Hero

Leif Bjaland, conductor | Yevgeny Sudbin, piano
March 10, 11, 12, 13, 2011 (MW6)

This season, the Allan Friedman Memorial Piano Concert is an all Beethoven program. Beethoven’s heroic struggle is never more apparent than in the second overture for his only opera, Leonore (Fidelio). Yevgeny Sudbin will perform the stormy Piano Concerto No. 3. This concert’s heroic climax features the  majestic Eroica Symphony, which turned the traditions of classical music upside down.

Yevgeny Sudbin: At just 21 years old, Yevgeny Sudbin has already been hailed one of the greatest pianists of the 21st century. He has appeared with many of the world’s most distinguished orchestras.

BEETHOVEN • Leonore Overture | BEETHOVEN • Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor • Yevgeny Sudbin
BEETHOVEN • Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major (Eroica)

Paradise

Leif Bjaland, conductor | Jennifer Hines, mezzo-soprano;  Key Chorale;  Sarasota Young Voices
March 31,  April 1, 2, 3, 2011 (MW7)

The Third Symphony, in Mahler's own words is "one great hymn to the glory of every aspect of life." Its musical and choral themes range from the enjoyment of nature to the pleasures of heaven, from spiritual darkness to romantic love. In this gigantic work, Mahler explores every corner of the world and every shade of human emotion in one masterful symphony.  

Jennifer Hines: Lauded for “a rich and colorful voice,” mezzo-soprano Jennifer Hines made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 2003.

MAHLER • Symphony No. 3 in D Minor • Jennifer Hines • The Women of the Key Choral
Sarasota Young Voices