The Lexington Philharmonic Proudly Announces the 2019/2020 Season: RESOUND Six Conductor Finalists Join LexPhil for Six Audition Performances
The Lexington Philharmonic Proudly Announces the 2019/2020 Season: RESOUND Six Conductor Finalists Join LexPhil for Six Audition Performances
The Lexington Philharmonic Society and Lexington Philharmonic Search Committee proudly announces the 2019/2020 Season, and the six outstanding Conductor Finalists who will lead the orchestra in six audition performances during the 2019/2020 Season, RESOUND.
The 2019/2020 Season is a milestone year in the Lexington Philharmonic's history and the musical life of central Kentucky. The season pairs the diverse voices of today alongside hallmark works of the classical canon, from Tchaikovsky's passionate Symphony No. 6 to Prokofiev's exuberant Symphony No. 5. Each Season Series program opens with a work by a female composer, including a work by composer Julia Perry, born in Lexington's East End neighborhood.
Major stars of the international stage join the orchestra as soloists, including world-renowned cellist Gary Hoffman for Bloch's powerful Schelomo; Hebraic Rhapsody and Lexington-native Richard Deane, principal horn of the NY Philharmonic for Strauss' Horn Concerto. Two Lexington holiday traditions, A Cathedral Christmas, and New Year's Eve at the Lexington Opera House, round out an exhilarating season of possibilities.
“This season, we will fill our city with music and possibilities as we embark on the important work of selecting a Music Director and Conductor. We are confident we have selected six conductor finalists worthy of stewarding our orchestra’s growth and legacy,” says the Lexington Philharmonic Board President, Carol McLeod. “Our candidates are diverse, experienced, and modern in their approaches into how music shapes the life of a community. We are seeking a musical leader who will build on the artistic achievements of our great orchestra, to the benefit and enrichment of the whole region. ”
A search committee of Lexington Philharmonic musicians, board members, and community members embarked on the process of selecting a new Music Director in August of 2018. The search committee received and reviewed over 200 applications in the subsequent months, and in January of 2019, narrowed the application to pool to eighteen. Following multiple interviews, the search committee selected six outstanding conductor finalists, selected for their diversity of experience, style and philosophy.
Each finalist will spend a week in Lexington, working with the orchestra, and getting to know the community. Their audition week culminates in a Season Series performance. Following the audition performance, LexPhil musicians, board members, and audience will have the opportunity to provide immediate feedback on each conductor. The Lexington Philharmonic expects to announce the next Music Director & Conductor in the summer of 2020.
“The 2019/2020 Season is going to be, in one word, thrilling. During our 2019/2020 season, each of the conductor finalists will bring their best to their audition week,” says Allison Kaiser, Executive Director of the Lexington Philharmonic. “We are so excited to share Lexington and all of its riches with our candidates, and are equally excited to have our community engaged in the process of helping LexPhil select an artistic leader that will influence the shape and future of the organization and music-making in Lexington for many years to come.”
2019- 2020 SEASON SERIES CONCERTS
OPENING NIGHT: HOME
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2019
Opening Night: Home , conducted by Music Director & Conductor Finalist Thomas Heuser opens the season with Julia Perry’s Short Piece for Orchestra on Saturday, September 21, 2019. Perry was born in Lexington’s East End neighborhood and went on to receive two Guggenheim fellowships, spend nearly a decade in Europe studying with prominent composers including Nadia Boulanger. By the 1960’s, she had achieved critical acclaim, and her works were performed by the New York Philharmonic and other major orchestras. Violinist Stefan Jackiw joins as soloist for Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto, a charming and technically challenging work that embodies all of the warmth and wit of the composer. The evening closes with the passionate emotional depths of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6.
DEEP MUSIC
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019
Music Director & Conductor Finalist Akiko Fujimoto leads the orchestra in a program of moving works at Deep Music on Friday, October 25, 2019. The evening opens with Grammy-award winning composer Libby Larsen’s Deep Summer Music, a textural work inspired by the last days of summer in her home state of Minnesota. Harpist Allegra Lilly, principal harp of the St. Louis Symphony, joins for Ginastera’s Harp Concerto. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 brings the evening to a joyous and boisterous close.
WIND POWER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2019
Music Director & Conductor Finalist Kelly Corcoran conducts an evening of works both powerful and ebullient at Wind Power on Friday, November 22, 2019. Jessie Montgomery’s Caught by The Wind opens the evening with a powerful meditation on the cycle of life. Lexington-native Richard Deane, Principal Horn of the New York Philharmonic, returns to his hometown orchestra as soloist for Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 1, followed by Brahms’ delightful Symphony No. 2.
BLUE BEETHOVEN
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020
Friday, February 21, 2020, Music Director & Conductor Finalist Enrico Lopez-Yañez kicks off the second half of the 2019/2020 Season at Blue Beethoven, an evening of some of the most deeply emotive works in the canon. The evening opens with Jennifer Higdon’s beautiful and contemplative blue cathedral, one of the most popular contemporary works of the last decade. Pianist Norman Krieger joins the orchestra for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, followed by Czech master Dvořák’s dynamic Symphony No. 7.
TRANSFIGURATIONS
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020
Music Director & Conductor Finalist Julia Tai leads the orchestra in a night of diverse and spirited works at Transfigurations on Friday, April 17, 2020. Inspired by the industrial landscape of Detroit composer Missy Mazzoli’s River Rouge Transfiguration transforms the grit and noise of Motor City into a resonant and unexpected work for orchestra. World-renowned cellist Gary Hoffman joins LexPhil as soloist for composer Ernest Bloch’s Schelomo; Hebraic Rhapsody, a work that embodies the spirit and sound of traditional Jewish music dating back thousands of years. The evening closes with Mendelssohn’s melodic Symphony No. 3, “Scottish.”
BEYOND THE SKY
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2020
The thrilling finale concert of the season Beyond the Sky will be led by the final Music Director & Conductor Finalist, Keitaro Harada on Saturday, May 16, 2020. The evening kicks off with a percussive bang with Loren Loiacono’s Smothered By Sky, commissioned and premiered by the Detroit Symphony in 2017. Rising star violinist Bomsori Kim joins the orchestra for Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 2.
Described by Prokofiev as "a hymn to pure and noble spirit,” his Symphony No. 5 concludes an exuberant season of vast musical possibilities.
2019- 2020 SPECIAL CONCERTS
A CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2019
8:00 PM · Cathedral of Christ the King
LexPhil is joined by The Lexington Singers at the magnificent Cathedral of Christ the King for a beloved Lexington holiday tradition. University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra Conductor John Nardolillo guest conducts this much-anticipated program of sacred orchestral and choral works.
NEW YEARS EVE: MARDI GRAS IN NEW ORLEANS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019
7:30 PM · Lexington Opera House
Byron Stripling, Trumpet & Conductor
The phenomenal Byron Stripling returns to Lexington, to make the good times roll with the music of New Orleans from Fats Domino to Louis Armstrong. Inspired by the street parades in the French Quarter and late night jams in the city’s famed clubs, this concert transforms the Lexington Opera House into an unforgettable celebration of New Orleans jazz, with Byron Stripling leading the parade.
LEXINGTON PHILHARMONIC
MUSIC DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR FINALISTS
OPENING NIGHT: HOME
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2019
7:30 PM · Singletary Center for the Arts
Thomas Heuser, Conductor Finalist
JULIA PERRY
A Short Piece for Orchestra
STRAVINSKY
Violin Concerto in D major
Stefan Jackiw, violin
TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No. 6 in B minor ‘Pathétique'
ABOUT THOMAS
www.thomasheuser.com
American conductor Thomas Heuser has been widely recognized for his stirring leadership and energetic presence both onstage and in the community. Currently he serves as Music Director of both the Idaho Falls Symphony and the San Juan Symphony, an innovative regional orchestra serving the Four Corners. The son of two molecular biologists, Thomas began violin lessons at an early age and studied piano at the St. Louis Symphony Music School. He graduated from Vassar College and went on to earn his Masters in Conducting from Indiana University and his Doctorate in Conducting from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. Thomas lives in Durango, Colorado, with his wife, violinist Lauren Avery, and their son Theodore.
DEEP MUSIC
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019
7:30 PM · Singletary Center for the Arts
Akiko Fujimoto, Conductor Finalist
LIBBY LARSEN
Deep Summer Music
GINASTERA
Harp Concerto, op. 25
Allegra Lilly, harp
BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 7 in A Major
ABOUT AKIKO
www.akikofujimotoconductor.com
Akiko Fujimoto is the associate conductor for the Minnesota Orchestra, where she conducts education programs, special events and outdoor community concerts. Additionally, she serves as a link to the community, participating in engagement activities, school visits, and collaborations with other Minnesota arts and cultural institutions. Formerly, she served as the associate conductor of the San Antonio Symphony for five seasons and conducting associate for the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. During the 2018-2019 season, Fujimoto made her debut with the National Symphony Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, and the Mid-Texas Symphony. Born in Japan, Fujimoto moved to the United States at age 14 and attended Stanford University where she studied music and psychology. She holds masters degrees in conducting from Boston University and the Eastman School of Music.
WIND POWER
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2019
7:30 PM · Singletary Center for the Arts
Kelly Corcoran, Conductor Finalist
JESSIE MONTGOMERY
Caught by the Wind
R. STRAUSS
Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major
Richard Deane, horn
BRAHMS
Symphony No. 2 in D Major
ABOUT KELLY
www.kellycorcoran.net
Named “Best Classical Conductor” in 2015 by the Nashville Scene, Kelly Corcoran is a passionate advocate for the robust place of classical music in our lives and the lives of future generations. Corcoran is Artistic Director of Intersection, a contemporary music ensemble dedicated to redefining the traditional concert experience. Corcoran conducted the Nashville Symphony for nine seasons both as Associate Conductor and Director of the Symphony Chorus where she conducted the orchestra in hundreds of performances. Corcoran has appeared as a guest conductor with many orchestras including The Cleveland Orchestra, The Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Milwaukee, and National Symphonies, often with return engagements. Abroad, Corcoran has appeared with orchestras in Argentina, England, Spain, Mexico and Chile. Corcoran attended the Boston Conservatory and Indiana University. Her primary mentors are Leonard Slatkin and Marin Alsop.
BLUE BEETHOVEN
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020
7:30 PM · Singletary Center for the Arts
Enrico Lopez-Yañez, Conductor Finalist
JENNIFER HIGDON
blue cathedral
BEETHOVEN
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major
Norman Krieger, piano
DVORÁK
Symphony No. 7 in D minor
ABOUT ENRICO
https://www.enricolopezyanez.com/
Enrico Lopez-Yañez is the Assistant Conductor and Principal Pops Conductor Designate of the Nashville Symphony. He leads over 50 performances annually on the Symphony’s Pops Series, Family Series, Young People’s Concerts and Community Concerts. During the 2018/19 season, Lopez-Yañez will make appearances with the Detroit Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, Oklahoma City Philharmonic and Symphony NH, as well as return appearances with the Rochester Philharmonic and Omaha Symphony. An enthusiastic proponent of innovating the concert experience, he has created exciting education, classical and pops concerts that have been performed by orchestras across the United States. Lopez- Yañez previously held the position of Assistant Conductor with the Omaha Symphony. He holds a Master’s in Music from the University of Maryland and received a Master’s in Music and Baccalaureate from UCLA, where he graduated summa cum laude.
TRANSFIGURATIONS
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2020
7:30 PM · Singletary Center for the Arts
Julia Tai, Conductor Finalist
MISSY MAZZOLI
River Rouge Transfiguration
BLOCH
Schelomo; Hebraic Rhapsody Gary Hoffman, cello
MENDELSSOHN
Symphony No. 3 in A minor ‘Scottish'
ABOUT JULIA
http://www.juliatai.com/
Praised by the Seattle Times as "poised yet passionate," Julia Tai has conducted orchestras around the world, including the American Youth Symphony, Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic (Czech Republic), Brandenburger Symphoniker (Germany), Orquesta Filarmónica de la UNAM (Mexico), Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil Charlos Chávez (Mexico), and the Seattle Symphony. As the Music Director of Philharmonia Northwest, Julia Tai has established a reputation for her creative programming and community partnerships. Tai is also the conductor and Co-Artistic Director of the Seattle Modern Orchestra. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Tai received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in orchestral conducting from the University of Washington.
BEYOND THE SKY
SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2020
7:30 PM · Singletary Center for the Arts
Keitaro Harada, Conductor Finalist
LOREN LOIACONO
Smothered by Sky
WIENIAWSKI
Violin Concerto No. 2 in D Minor Bomsori Kim, violin
PROKOFIEV
Symphony No. 5 in B-Flat Major
ABOUT KEITARO
http://kharada.com/
Conductor Keitaro Harada maintains a burgeoning career throughout North America, Asia, Mexico, and Europe. His pursuits encompass opera, symphonic and chamber works, pops, film scores, ballet, educational and outreach programming, and multi-disciplinary projects. In his fourth season as Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops, Harada assists Music Director Louis Langrée, conducts the CSO, POPS, and has assisted James Conlon and Juanjo Mena for the May Festival. He is a three-time recipient of The Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award (2016, 2015, 2014), Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview (2013), the Seiji Ozawa Conducting Fellowship at Tanglewood Music Festival, and was a student of Lorin Maazel at Castleton Festival and Fabio Luisi at Pacific Music Festival. Harada is a native of Tokyo, Japan.
All concerts begin at 7:30 PM, unless otherwise noted, and are presented at the Singletary Center for the Arts, with the exception of New Year’s Eve: Mardis Gras in New Orleans at the Lexington Opera House and A Cathedral Christmas at the Cathedral of Christ the King.
LexPhil is currently accepting renewals for Full Season Series Subscribers. Subscriptions will be available to the public for purchase beginning Thursday, May 2, 2019. Full Season Series Subscriptions include the six Season Series concerts led by the conductor finalists, plus one Special Concert. Single concert tickets go on sale Monday, July 1, 2018. To renew or order subscriptions, or for more information, please contact the Lexington Philharmonic at 859.233.4226, or visit lexphil.org.
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The mission of the Lexington Philharmonic is to foster excellence and innovation in the performance and
presentation of great music; to enrich the lives of our diverse citizenry; to educate current and future
audiences and to bring distinction to our community through the orchestra’s presence and standing. Through LexPhil’s four core values of Artistic Excellence, Innovation, Collaboration and Accessibility, LexPhil will continue to grow artistically and purposefully, providing world-class musical experiences and impactful educational opportunities for Lexington, the Bluegrass Region, and beyond.
All Lexington Philharmonic programs are made possible through the generous support of LexArts. In 2018-2019, the Lexington Philharmonic received $170,000 in unrestricted support. The Lexington Philharmonic is supported by the Dupree Initiative for Innovation, funded by the tremendous generosity of Thomas and Ann Todd Dupree. The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, provides operating support to the Lexington Philharmonic with state tax dollars and along with federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Hamilton Saykaly Garbulinska Foundation funds LexPhil’s commitment to continued artistic growth and brings world-renowned artists to perform with LexPhil and participate in outreach for the Lexington community.
Special thanks to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government for its continued partnership in ensuring a flourishing future for the arts in Lexington and central Kentucky.