KODO
ONE EARTH TOUR: LEGACY
Sunday, February 14, 2021, 7pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
After an electrifying performance in 2019, Kodo, the world’s preeminent taiko drumming group, returns to Orange County with the thunderous vibrations of their Legacy World Tour in this heart-racing Valentine’s Day performance.
Kodo—the world’s most celebrated professional taiko drumming troupe—bring their thrilling and powerful rhythms to Orange County in their One Earth Tour: Legacy. The tour focuses on preserving Kodo’s unique “DNA” by drawing on the iconic form found within classic Kodo pieces and carefully sharing the essence of those traditions with the next generation. (Sunday, February 14, 2021, 7pm, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
Led by Maestro Masaaki Suzuki, the internationally renowned Bach Collegium Japan performs an all-Bach program including selections from their recorded cycle of the complete Church Cantatas, which earned them a 2014 ECHO Klassik Award for Editorial Achievement of the Year. The program consists of Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, Orchestra Suite No. 1 in C major, Cantata “Herz and Mut und Tat und Leben,” and Cantata “Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen,” containing the famous “Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring.” (Saturday, January 23, 2021, 8pm)
PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY ANNOUNCES 2020-21 SEASON
Season Highlights Include:
West Coast exclusive engagement of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Riccardo Muti in an Orchestra Festival Residency
Orchestra appearances by Los Angeles Philharmonic with Gustavo Dudamel,
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra with Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla and Gidon Kremer,
National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico with Gabriela Montero and Carlos Miguel Prieto,
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra with Lahav Shani
The debut of a new piano series featuring Jeremy Denk, Seong-Jin Cho,
Leif Ove Andsnes, George Li, Jean-Yves Thibaudet
Appearances by Joshua Bell, Edgar Meyer, Sergio Assad, Anne Sofie von Otter,
Alisa Weilerstein, Vadym Kholodenko, Branford Marsalis
Chamber Music with the Danish String Quartet, Brentano Quartet and Dawn Upshaw,
Tetzlaff Quartet, Pinchas Zukerman and Amanda Forsyth with Jerusalem Quartet
Holiday concerts including the Vienna Boys Choir and Canadian Brass
IRVINE, CA – The Philharmonic Society of Orange County today announced its 67th season, featuring 37 performances by the world’s best artists and ensembles in a variety of classical, eclectic, and holiday performances. The Philharmonic Society is proud to continue the Donna L. Kendall Classical Series sponsored by the Donna L. Kendall Foundation for its twelfth season, and the Elizabeth and Henry Segerstrom Select Series sponsored by Elizabeth Segerstrom for its eleventh season. The Philharmonic Society also thanks Sam and Lyndie Ersan for their generous sponsorship of the Laguna Chamber Music Series and Judith and Howard Jelinek for their generous sponsorship of the Eclectic Orange Series.
“This will be a season reminiscent of the past, where the Philharmonic Society made its presence known in Orange County as the preeminent presenter of the greatest classical musicians and orchestras in the world,” said Tommy Phillips, President and Artistic Director. “This coming season, with orchestras such as the Israel Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, LA Phil, and our exclusive festival presentation of the world-renowned Chicago Symphony Orchestra, along with recital appearances and performances by Joshua Bell, Anne Sofie von Otter, Sergio Assad, Conrad Tao, Alisa Weilerstein, Pinchas Zukerman, and a new piano series with some of the most celebrated pianists of this decade, we are positioned to make a musical splash and truly redefine Orange County as ‘Where the world comes to play.’ We are beyond excited for our 67th season and look forward to experiencing these fantastic concerts with you.”
A focal point of this season, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Music Director Riccardo Muti make a West Coast exclusive appearance in a week-long Festival of concerts and community activities. The 62-time Grammy-winning orchestra will perform two unforgettable full-scale concerts, while also appearing in smaller ensemble performances including a chamber music concert and free pre-concert performances in the Argyros Plaza. In addition to these concerts, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will participate in outreach events across Orange County, engaging audiences of all ages with events such as the family-oriented presentation of “Once Upon a Symphony,” in-school ensemble performances, and coaching sessions for young musicians.
Additional highlights of the Philharmonic Society’s 2020-21 season are orchestral presentations featuring two American orchestras and nine international touring orchestras including the return of the Los Angeles Philharmonic with Gustavo Dudamel, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra with Music Director Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla and violin virtuoso Gidon Kremer, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of its newly appointed Music Director Lahav Shani, the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico with Musical America’s 2019 Conductor of the Year Carlos Miguel Prieto and pianist Gabriela Montero, Bach Collegium Japan in an all-Bach program, Martin Haselböck conducting his period-instrument orchestra Orchester Wiener Akademie in Mozart’s Requiem, and the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra with pianist Vadym Kholodenko. Season highlights also include the launch of a brand new piano series featuring Jeremy Denk, Seong-Jin Cho, Leif Ove Andsnes, George Li, and Jean-Yves Thibaudet, as well as a recital appearance by violinist Joshua Bell. Recipient of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant and eight consecutive ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Awards, pianist and composer Conrad Tao leads the 2021 Laguna Beach Music Festival as Artistic Director.
The Philharmonic Society continues its Eclectic Orange offerings with performances by internationally renowned guitarist Sergio Assad, the Danish String Quartet in a Nordic folk music program, bassist Edgar Meyer and the Scottish Ensemble, and a celebration of Astor Piazzolla’s centennial with violinist Philippe Quint and members of the Joffrey Ballet.
The Philharmonic Society continues its holiday offerings with performances by the angelic voices of the Vienna Boys Choir in a program of Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, Christmas hymns, and holiday carols, and the return of Canadian Brass with their virtuosic playing and heartwarming humor.
ORCHESTRA CONCERTS
The Philharmonic Society presents two American orchestras and nine international orchestras in eleven performances in the world-class Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla found her success after rising in the ranks of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, beginning as a Dudamel Fellow and making her way to Assistant Conductor and then Associate Conductor. She returns to Southern California for the opening night of the Philharmonic Society’s 2020-21 season with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the British orchestra known for establishing the careers of numerous revered conductors including Sir Simon Rattle and Andris Nelsons. The program is filled with French favorites including Ravel’s waltz-inspired La Valse and Debussy’s La Mer and also features the Orchestral Suite from Thomas Adès’ “Angel Symphony”—a new work from the dazzling imagination behind the hit opera The Exterminating Angel. Part of the Donna L. Kendall Classical Series. (Sunday, October 11, 2020, 3pm)
Grammy Award-winning conductor Gustavo Dudamel brings the Los Angeles Philharmonic for its annual Orange County visit. Named Musical America’s 2013 Musician of the Year and voted into the Gramophone Hall of Fame, Gustavo Dudamel is one of the most decorated conductors of his generation and masterfully leads the LA Phil with groundbreaking and diverse programming, demonstrating the orchestra’s artistry and vision on stage and in the community. Program to be announced. Part of the Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series. (Sunday, October 18, 2020, 7:30pm)
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra makes its first Orange County appearance in 12 years under the baton of its newly appointed Music Director Lahav Shani in his inaugural season with the revered orchestra. The program features Igor Stravinsky’s seminal ballet score The Rite of Spring, which, since its infamous premiere more than 100 years ago, has dramatically changed the landscape of music and solidified its place as one of classical music’s greatest hits. Additional works to be announced. Part of the Donna L. Kendall Classical Series. (Thursday, November 5, 2020, 8pm)
Master organist Martin Haselböck takes up the baton to lead his period-instrument orchestra Orchester Wiener Akademie in an all-Mozart program featuring the hauntingly beautiful choral masterpiece Requiem in D minor, K. 626 and Mozart’s Coronation Mass, K. 317, one of the most beloved pieces of Mozart’s collection of Missae breves. Part of the Donna L. Kendall Classical Series. (Friday, November 20, 2020, 8pm)
The conductor-less Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is joined by three-time Grammy-winner and revered jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis in a program comprised of Debussy’s Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra, Rossini’s Overture to The Barber of Seville, Rodrigo’s Suite from Soleriana, Turina’s La Oración del Torero (The Bullfighter’s Prayer), Bryan’s Carmen Jazz Suite on themes by Bizet (Orpheus commission), and Ibert’s Concertino da Camera, featured on Marsalis and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra’s collaboration album Creation, which reached the No. 2 spot on Billboard’s Classical Music Charts. Part of the Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series. (Saturday, January 9, 2021, 8pm)
Led by Maestro Masaaki Suzuki, the internationally renowned Bach Collegium Japan performs an all-Bach program including selections from their recorded cycle of the complete Church Cantatas, which earned them a 2014 ECHO Klassik Award for Editorial Achievement of the Year. The program consists of Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, Orchestra Suite No. 1 in C major, Cantata “Herz and Mut und Tat und Leben,” and Cantata “Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen,” containing the famous “Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring.” (Saturday, January 23, 2021, 8pm)
Winner of the 2013 Gold Medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, piano virtuoso Vadym Kholodenko performs with the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Pavel Kogan in a program of Tchaikovsky’s powerful Symphony No. 6 “Pathétique,” Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, and Weber’s masterful Overture to Oberon. Part of the Donna L. Kendall Classical Series. (Friday, January 29, 2021, 8pm)
Grammy-nominated and Latin Grammy-winning pianist Gabriela Montero joins Musical America’s 2019 Conductor of the Year Carlos Miguel Prieto and the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico in a performance featuring the thundering rhythms of Revuelta’s The Night of the Mayas, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, and Marquez’s Danzón No. 2. Part of the Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series. (Wednesday, March 3, 2021, 8pm)
The 62-time Grammy-winning Chicago Symphony Orchestra returns to Orange County for the Philharmonic Society’s 2021 Orchestra Festival with revered conductor Riccardo Muti, named Musical America’s 2010 Musician of the Year. Night one of the Festival opens with Mozart’s elegant Violin Concerto No. 4 featuring Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Concertmaster Robert Chen, and finishes with Shostakovich’s dramatically beautiful Symphony No. 10. Part of the Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series. (Friday, March 12, 2021, 8pm) On night two, Muti leads the orchestra in Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68, first performed by CSO in 1894; the Overture to Verdi’s immensely popular opera Nabucco; and Lalo Schifrin’s Baroque-Jazz crossover Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra written specifically for tuba soloist Gene Pokorny. Part of the Donna L. Kendall Classical Series. (Saturday, March 13, 2021, 8pm)
MacArthur Fellow cellist Alisa Weilerstein returns to Orange County with the 10-time Grammy-nominated Trondheim Soloists with selections from their highly praised album Verklarte Nacht, celebrated for its fluid, effortless dialogue between instruments. The program includes Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C major, Golijov’s Last Round, Vasks’ Presence, and Schoenberg’s Verklarte Nacht, based on Richard Dehmel’s poem of the same name. (Thursday, April 8, 2021, 8pm)
With an unbridled energy, dedication and exceptional sound, the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen and conductor Trevor Pinnock are joined by the lyrical vocals of internationally acclaimed Swedish mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter in a wide-ranging program of instrumental and vocal pieces. This performance comprises of Mozart’s bold Symphony No. 31 in D major, K. 297, “Paris”; Schubert’s Lieder for Mezzo soprano and orchestra; Poulenc’s Sinfonietta, FP 141; and various songs from South America. Part of the Donna L. Kendall Classical Series. (Saturday, May 29, 2021, 8pm)
CHAMBER MUSIC
The 2020-21 season features seven exceptional chamber performances.
Since making its debut in 2002, the Danish String Quartet has quickly become one of the most sought-after quartets in the world, earning numerous accolades, including Musical America’s 2020 Ensemble of the Year and a Grammy Award nomination for its recording, PRISM I. Returning to Orange County after a breathtaking performance in 2019, the Danish String Quartet will perform Mozart’s String Quartet No. 16 in E-flat major, K. 428; Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 10 in A-flat major, Op. 118; and Schubert’s String Quartet No. 15 in G major, D. 887. Part of the Laguna Chamber Music Series sponsored by Sam and Lyndie Ersan. (Sunday, November 15, 2020, 3pm, Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
Praised for its “dramatic, energetic playing of clean intensity” (The New York Times), the Tetzlaff Quartet rapidly established a reputation as one of the world's most fascinating chamber ensembles. The quartet returns to Orange County with an all-Beethoven program showcasing the composer’s String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat major, Op. 130, along with its original final movement, Große Fuge, Op. 133. The concert also features the String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135, the last major work Beethoven completed. Part of the Laguna Chamber Music Series sponsored by Sam and Lyndie Ersan. Part of Beethoven@250. (Friday, December 4, 2020, 8pm, Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
Five-time Grammy-winning vocalist Dawn Upshaw joins the inaugural members of Lincoln Center’s Chamber Music Society Two program, Brentano String Quartet, in “The Dido Project,” a soprano monodrama exploring the strong yet vulnerable character of Dido from Purcell’s famous opera Dido and Aeneas. The purity and piercing beauty of Upshaw’s interpretation of “Dido’s Lament” imagines Dido in the modern age, revealing that her steadfastness can be admired in any time period. Part of the Laguna Chamber Music Series sponsored by Sam and Lyndie Ersan. Co-presented by Soka Performing Arts Center. (Sunday, February 21, 2021, 3pm, Soka Performing Arts Center)
Established in 1985 as a chamber music ensemble of the world-renowned Berlin Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic Piano Quartet consists of three permanent members of the orchestra—Concertmaster Andreas Buschatz, violist Matthew Hunter, and cellist Knut Weber—with pianist Markus Groh, who gained international recognition after winning Belgium’s prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition in 1995. The program features Bridge’s Phantasy Quartet, Brahms’ Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, and Danny Elfman’s Piano Quartet, written specifically for the quartet and premiered in 2019. Part of the Laguna Chamber Music Series sponsored by Sam and Lyndie Ersan. Co-presented by Soka Performing Arts Center. (Saturday, February 27, 2021, 8pm, Soka Performing Arts Center)
Founded in 1934 by the legendary Czech pianist Josef Pálenícek, the Smetana Trio is today’s foremost Czech chamber ensemble. The trio became the first Czech ensemble to win the BBC Music Magazine Award in 2007 and its recording of works by Smetana, Suk and Novák received numerous awards from Diapason and Le Monde de la Musique. This program features Martinů’s Piano Trio No. 3 in C major, H. 332—a piece from the quartet’s 2017 recording that was voted to win a BBC Music Magazine Chamber Award. Also on the program is Rachmaninoff’s Trio élégiaque No. 1 in G minor and their namesake Smetana’s Piano Trio in G minor, Op 15. Part of the Laguna Chamber Music Series sponsored by Sam and Lyndie Ersan. (Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 8pm, Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
In the final performance of the Orchestra Festival, select members from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will appear in an intimate chamber concert. Audiences will see the versatility of these professional instrumentalists as they demonstrate their ability to captivate their listeners on any scale. Part of the Laguna Chamber Music Series sponsored by Sam and Lyndie Ersan. (Sunday, March 14, 2021, 3pm, Irvine Barclay Theatre)
Renowned for his expressive lyricism, singular beauty of tone, and impeccable musicianship, Grammy Award-winning violinist Pinchas Zukerman reigns as one of today's most sought after and versatile musicians. He is joined by cellist Amanda Forsyth, whose intense richness of tone, remarkable technique, and exceptional musicality enthrall audiences and critics alike, and the stunning Jerusalem Quartet with its wide-ranging repertoire and incredible depth of expression. The concert features Bruckner’s Adagio from String Quintet in F major, WAB 112; Dvořák’s Sextet for Strings in A major, Op. 48; and Brahms’ Sextet for Strings in B-flat major, Op. 18. Part of the Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series. (Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 8pm, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
RECITALS
Six extraordinary recitals showcasing sublime artistry.
Hailed as “an artist you want to hear no matter what he performs” (The New York Times), Jeremy Denk is one of America’s foremost pianists. Winner of a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship and the Avery Fisher Prize, Jeremy Denk was recently elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2016. This recital of piano masterpieces showcases Schumann’s Kinderszenen, Op. 15; Rzewski’s “Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues”; Chopin’s Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-flat major, Op. 61; Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 32, Op. 111; four Mazurkas from Chopin; and three Mazurkas from Adés. (Saturday, November 21, 2020, 8pm, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
With an overwhelming talent and innate musicality, rising star pianist Seong-Jin Cho is rapidly embarking on a world-class career and is considered one of the most distinctive artists on the current music scene. In 2009, he became the youngest-ever winner of Japan’s Hamamatsu International Piano Competition, and two years later, he won third prize at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow at the age of 17. After graduating from the Paris Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique in 2015, he won First Prize at the Chopin International Competition in Warsaw. In this much anticipated appearance, he performs Brahms’ beloved Six Pieces for Piano, Op. 118; Schumann’s whimsical Humoresque in B-flat major, Op. 20; Berg’s Piano Sonata, Op. 1; and Liszt’s Piano Sonata in B minor, S. 178. (Wednesday, December 9, 2020, 8pm, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
Leif Ove Andsnes is called “a pianist of magisterial elegance, power, and insight” (The New York Times) and “one of the most gifted musicians of his generation” (The Wall Street Journal). With his commanding technique and creative interpretations, the celebrated Norwegian pianist performs Schumann’s Three Romances, Op. 28 and his Carnaval, Op. 9, drawing on musical themes from the world-wide Carnival celebration. Also on the program is Volume 1 of Janáček’s On an Overgrown Path and Bartók’s Three Burlesques, Sz. 47. (Thursday, January 21, 2021, 8pm, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
Classical music superstar violinist Joshua Bell is one of the most celebrated musicians of our time. “A charismatic performer with an effortless technique and sweet tone” (The New York Times), he has a career spanning more than thirty years as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist, conductor and director, along with countless honors, such as the Avery Fisher Prize and ECHO Klassik awards, as well as being named Musical America’s 2010 Musician of the Year. Program to be announced. Part of the Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series. (Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 8pm, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
After a showstopping performance with the Russian National Orchestra in 2019, piano virtuoso George Li returns in his Orange County recital debut. Since winning the Silver Medal at the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition, the young Harvard grad has rapidly established a major international reputation as a pianist with an effortless grace, brilliant virtuosity and poised authority far beyond his years. Program to be announced. (Thursday, March 4, 2021, 8pm, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
Two-time Grammy-nominated pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet possesses a depth and natural charisma that have made him one of today’s most sought-after soloists. He has performed around the world, recorded more than 50 albums, and became a Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame inductee in 2010. Thibaudet is celebrated for his musical interpretations of a wide range of compositions, including music beyond the standard repertoire, from jazz to opera, which he transcribes himself to play on the piano. In this performance, Thibaudet plays the entirety of Debussy’s Préludes, which showcase the composer’s expressive indulgences and free-spirited, lyrical musical tendencies. (Saturday, April 24, 2021, 8pm, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
ECLECTIC ORANGE
Five performances blending boundaries and exploring the relationships of multiple art forms and genres, as classical music meets voice, jazz, folk songs and dance.
The Eclectic Orange Series is sponsored by Judith and Howard Jelinek.
Musical America’s 2020 Ensemble of the Year, the Danish String Quartet showcases musical treasures from their Nordic heritage with arrangements of beloved folk music set against the backdrop of a social Scandinavian scene. The quartet is known for delving into the works of great classical composers such as Beethoven and Mozart, but they are equally passionate about Scandinavian folk tunes. Their albums Wood Works and Last Leaf focus on the common ground between classical music and folk songs, and have both received wide-spread acclaim, as the music reveals “a freshness, immediacy and love that [grips] the heart and [won’t] let go”(The Washington Post). (Saturday, November 14, 2020, 5:30pm, Westside Museum/Boathouse Collective)
Hosted by jazz-funk-dance group Mwenso and the Shakes, Harlem 100 is a multi-media show that captures the sights and sounds of Harlem with tap dance, film, and music as it celebrates the legacy of icons such as Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Langston Hughes and Billie Holiday. This modern variety show pays homage to the presentations made famous in the Apollo Theater, Cotton Club and other celebrated venues of the Harlem Renaissance. Co-presented by Irvine Barclay Theatre. (Sunday, November 22, 2020, 7pm, Irvine Barclay Theatre)
In the centennial celebration of Astor Piazzolla, the single most important figure in the history of tango, multi-Grammy-nominated violinist Phillippe Quint, the Quint Quintet, and members of the world-class, Chicago-based Joffrey Ballet perform some of the most iconic tango pieces in a program that showcases the music and movement that define this historical dance. Co-presented by Irvine Barclay Theatre. (Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 8pm, Irvine Barclay Theatre)
For their debut North American tour, five-time Grammy-winning bassist and composer Edgar Meyer and the Scottish Ensemble, a string orchestra known for devising imaginative, innovative performances, join together for a special program featuring a new commission written and performed by Meyer. Meyer and the Scottish Ensemble first collaborated in 2008, successfully touring Scotland with their respective energies, genre-bending traditions, and unique musical influences. Now, they appear in Orange County in a program featuring a variety of classical and eclectic pieces, including Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro for Strings, Op. 47; Bach’s Gamba Sonata; Holst’s St Paul’s Suite in C major No. 2, Op.29; Adams’ Shaker Loops; and Meyer’s Concert Duo Mvt. 1. Co-presented by Soka Performing Arts Center. (Friday, April 23, 2021, 8pm, Soka Performing Arts Center)
Expressing themselves through guitar, voice, and percussion quartet, legendary guitarist Sergio Assad, along with Clarice Assad’s spellbinding vocals and the rhythms of Grammy Award-winning Third Coast Percussion, will explore global musical traditions taking the audience on a vast musical journey grounded in familiar stories. Their program Archetypes explores the universal symbolic archetypes that appear in stories, legends, and myths throughout the world as well as characters that appear across cultures, showing how some stories can sound almost identical, even if they originate from vastly different places across the globe. (Friday, May 28, 2021, 8pm, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
HOLIDAY
Two performances to ring in the holidays and celebrate the spirit of the season.
The angelic-voiced musicians of the Vienna Boys Choir celebrate the magic of the holiday season with a delightful program of Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, Christmas hymns, and holiday carols. For six centuries, these young cultural ambassadors have been adored around the world for their wide range of repertoire, purity of tone, and generosity of musical spirit. (Friday, November 27, 2020, 8pm, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
The internationally renowned, Grammy-winning Canadian Brass perform seasonal favorites, holiday classics, and brass standards in an entertaining evening of virtuosic playing and heartwarming humor. With an international reputation as one of the most popular brass ensembles today, Canadian Brass has truly earned the distinction of “the world’s most famous brass group.” Masters of concert presentations, Canadian Brass has developed a uniquely engaging stage presence and rapport with audiences. (Thursday, December 17, 2020, 8pm, Irvine Barclay Theatre)
WORLD MUSIC
Two performances celebrating music around the globe.
Kodo—the world’s most celebrated professional taiko drumming troupe—bring their thrilling and powerful rhythms to Orange County in their One Earth Tour: Legacy. The tour focuses on preserving Kodo’s unique “DNA” by drawing on the iconic form found within classic Kodo pieces and carefully sharing the essence of those traditions with the next generation. (Sunday, February 14, 2021, 7pm, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts)
The Philharmonic Society presents a Chinese New Year Celebration with the world’s premier pipa virtuoso Wu Man and a traditional Chinese orchestra in a variety of musical and visual performances ringing in the Year of the Ox. Wu Man has carved out a career as a soloist, educator, and composer giving her lute-like instrument—which has a history of over 2,000 years in China—a new role in both traditional and contemporary music. Her efforts were recognized when she was named Musical America’s 2013 “Instrumentalist of the Year,” making it the first time this prestigious award has been bestowed on a player of a non-Western instrument. Co-presented by Irvine Barclay Theatre. (Sunday, February 21, 2021, 7pm, Irvine Barclay Theatre)
LAGUNA BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL
Recipient of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant and eight consecutive ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Awards, pianist and composer Conrad Tao leads the 2021 Laguna Beach Music Festival as Artistic Director. Conrad Tao has emerged as a mature, thoughtful and thought-provoking pianist and composer with both an ambitious musical vision and the talent to realize it. He has earned numerous awards and distinctions for his performances, as well as his compositions, having been recognized as a Lincoln Center Emerging Artist, a Gilmore Young Artist, and a Presidential Scholar in the Arts by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. A co-presentation of Laguna Beach Live! and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, the Festival runs from March 24-28 featuring Tao and special guest artists including dancer Caleb Teicher, the JACK Quartet, violinist Stefan Jackiw, and the Westerlies in intimate performances, community outreach programs, and dynamic special events. Programs will feature music from Debussy, Gershwin, Caroline Shaw, Beethoven, Schubert, and more. (March 24-28, 2021, Laguna Beach)
TICKETS AND OTHER INFORMATION
The Philharmonic Society’s 2020-21 subscription packages go on sale Tuesday, January 28, 2020. Subscription series range from packages of three to sixteen concerts, and start at $108. Subscribers receive preferred seating, savings throughout the season, pre-sale access to single tickets, ticket exchange privileges, and many other benefits.
Single tickets for 2020-21 performances will go on sale to the general public in summer 2020. Members of the public who wish to receive a brochure or more information should contact the Philharmonic Society’s Patron Services Department at (949) 553-2422, or visit the Philharmonic Society’s website at www.PhilharmonicSociety.org.
Although rare, all dates, times, programs, artists and prices are subject to change.
ABOUT THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
Founded in 1954, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County presents the world’s most acclaimed symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, soloists and international artists for the enjoyment and appreciation of Orange County audiences. A catalyst for cultural and educational development throughout the region, the Philharmonic Society is a key resident company in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and also presents concerts at various venues throughout Orange County.
For more than 60 years, the Philharmonic Society has presented artists who set the standards for artistic achievement: Sir Georg Solti, Itzhak Perlman, Jacqueline du Pré, Daniel Barenboim, Lorin Maazel, Yo-Yo Ma, Renée Fleming and Cecilia Bartoli, to name just a few. In addition, many of the world’s greatest orchestras have performed in Orange County by invitation of the Philharmonic Society, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, among others.
From 1999-2004, the Philharmonic Society celebrated the diversity of our cultural landscape with Eclectic Orange Festival presentations. Eclectic Orange events championed contemporary composers through commissions and sponsorship of regional and world premieres. Among the living composers presented were Tan Dun, Philip Glass, Osvaldo Golijov, John Adams, Edgar Meyer, Burhan Öçal and Mikel Rouse. Past presentations include the West Coast premiere of Steve Reich’s “The Cave,” the Southern California premiere of Terry Riley’s “Sun Rings,” the United States exclusive engagement of Théâtre Zingaro, and the West Coast premiere of “Orion” by Philip Glass. The Philharmonic Society revived its Eclectic Orange brand in 2015 to offer diverse programming such as cross-genre or world music performances to celebrate and serve Orange County’s diverse demographics.
The Philharmonic Society’s nationally recognized Youth Music Education Programs, one of the most extensive music education programs of its kind in the country, are offered free of charge to schools, students and parents, and each year reach more than 160,000 students from elementary through high school. These programs are made possible by the tireless volunteerism and fundraising of The Committees of the Philharmonic Society.
The Philharmonic Society’s volunteer force and one of its principal fundraising sources, The Committees are made up of 700 volunteer members who provide more than 90,000 hours of in-kind service each year in developing, implementing and evaluating the music education programs. The Committees also present a wide variety of fundraising events, including the Philharmonic House of Design and the Huntington Harbour Cruise of Lights®.
In 2017, the award-winning Orange County Youth Symphony merged with the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, representing a natural evolution for the two organizations after more than 30 years of partnership. The exceptional young musicians of the Youth Symphony have exciting opportunities to further develop and nurture their talents through engaging in exclusive opportunities with some of classical music’s most celebrated artists, performing in concerts at world-class venues, learning and playing professional repertoire, and experiencing concerts by the greatest classical musicians of our time at Philharmonic Society presentations.
2020-21 SEASON
CONCERT CALENDAR
OCTOBER
CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, conductor
Gidon Kremer, violin
Sunday, October 11, 2020, 3pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Donna L. Kendall Classical Series
RAVEL: La Valse
WEINBERG: Violin Concerto in G minor, Op. 67
ADÉS: Orchestra Suite from “Angel Symphony”
DEBUSSY: La Mer
LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
Sunday, October 18, 2020, 7:30pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series
Grammy Award-winning conductor Gustavo Dudamel brings the LA Phil for its annual Orange County visit to perform a riveting program.
NOVEMBER
ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC
Lahav Shani, conductor
Thursday, November 5, 2020, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Donna L. Kendall Classical Series
STRAVINSKY: The Rite of Spring
Additional works to be announced
DANISH STRING QUARTET
Frederik Øland, violin
Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen, violin
Asbjørn Nørgaard, viola
Fredrik Schøyen Sjölin, cello
Saturday, November 14, 2020, 5:30pm
Westside Museum/Boathouse Collective
Part of the Eclectic Orange Series
Musical America’s 2020 Ensemble of the Year, the Danish String Quartet showcases musical treasures from their Nordic heritage with arrangements of beloved folk music.
DANISH STRING QUARTET
Frederik Øland, violin
Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen, violin
Asbjørn Nørgaard, viola
Fredrik Schøyen Sjölin, cello
Sunday, November 15, 2020, 3pm
Samueli Theater
Part of the Laguna Chamber Music Series
MOZART: String Quartet No. 16 in E-flat major K. 428
SHOSTAKOVICH: String Quartet No. 10 in A-flat major, Op. 118
SCHUBERT: String Quartet No. 15 in G major, D. 887
MOZART’S REQUIEM WITH ORCHESTER WIENER AKADEMIE
Martin Haselböck, conductor
Friday, November 20, 2020, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Donna L. Kendall Classical Series
MOZART: Coronation Mass, K. 317
MOZART: Requiem in D minor, K. 626
JEREMY DENK, PIANO
Saturday, November 21, 2020, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
SCHUMANN: Kinderszenen, Op. 15
CHOPIN: Mazurka in A-flat major, Op. 50, No. 2
ADÉS: Mazurka No. 1
CHOPIN: Mazurka in A minor, Op. 7, No. 2
ADÉS: Mazurka No. 2
CHOPIN: Mazurka in B-flat minor, Op. 24, No. 4
ADÉS: Mazurka No. 3
CHOPIN: Mazurka in C-sharp minor, Op. 63, No. 3
RZEWSKI: “Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues”
CHOPIN: Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-flat major, Op. 61
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 32, Op. 111
HARLEM 100
Mwenso and the Shakes
Sunday, November 22, 2020, 7pm
Irvine Barclay Theatre
Part of the Eclectic Orange Series
Co-presented by Irvine Barclay Theatre
Experience the sights and sounds of the Harlem Renaissance in an exciting multi-media show led by jazz-funk-dance group Mwenso and the Shakes, as they celebrate the music of Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Ethel Waters, and many more.
VIENNA BOYS CHOIR
Friday, November 27, 2020, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
The angelic-voiced musicians of the Vienna Boys Choir celebrate the magic of the holiday season with a delightful program of Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, Christmas hymns, and holiday carols.
DECEMBER
Beethoven@250
TETZLAFF QUARTET
Christian Tetzlaff, violin
Elisabeth Kufferath, violin
Hanna Weinmeister, viola
Tanja Tetzlaff, cello
Friday, December 4, 2020, 8pm
Samueli Theater
Part of the Laguna Chamber Music Series
BEETHOVEN: String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat major, Op. 130
BEETHOVEN: Große Fuge, Op. 133
BEETHOVEN: String Quartet No. 16 in F major, Op. 135
SEONG-JIN CHO, PIANO
Wednesday, December 9, 2020, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
BRAHMS: Six Pieces for Piano, Op. 118
SCHUMANN: Humoresque in B-flat major, Op. 20
BERG: Piano Sonata, Op. 1
LISZT: Piano Sonata in B minor, S. 178
THE HOLIDAYS WITH CANADIAN BRASS
Brandon Ridenour, trumpet
Caleb Hudson, trumpet
Chuck Daellenbach, tuba
Jeff Nelsen, horn
Achilles Liarmakopoulos, trombone
Thursday, December 17, 2020, 8pm
Irvine Barclay Theatre
Known as the “Kings of Brass,” Canadian Brass combines heart-warming humor and remarkable talent in a joyous performance of seasonal favorites that is sure leave audiences feeling festive and delighted.
JANUARY
ORPHEUS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Branford Marsalis, saxophone
Saturday, January 9, 2021, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series
ROSSINI: Overture to The Barber of Seville
RODRIGO: Suite from Soleriana
DEBUSSY: Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra
IBERT: Concertino da Camera
TURINA: La Oración del Torero (The Bullfighter’s Prayer), Op. 34
BRYAN: Carmen, Jazz suite on themes by Bizet (Orpheus Commission)
LEIF OVE ANDSNES, PIANO
Thursday, January 21, 2021, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
SCHUMANN: Three Romances, Op. 28
JANÁČEK: On an Overgrown Path, Volume 1
BARTÓK: Three Burlesques, Sz. 47
SCHUMANN: Carnaval, Op. 9
BACH COLLEGIUM JAPAN
Masaaki Suzuki, conductor
Saturday, January 23, 2021, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
BACH: Orchestra Suite No.1 in C major, BWV 1066
BACH: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048
BACH: Cantata “Jauchzet Gott” BWV 51
BACH: Cantata “Herz und Mut und Tat und Leben” BWV 147
MOSCOW STATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Pavel Kogan, conductor
Vadym Kholodenko, piano
Friday, January 29, 2021, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Donna L. Kendall Classical Series
WEBER: Oberon Overture
GRIEG: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
TCHAIKOVSKY: Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, “Pathétique”
FEBRUARY
JOSHUA BELL, VIOLIN
Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series
Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell returns to Orange County in a recital that will enchant audiences with his breathtaking virtuosity and captivating stage presence.
KODO
ONE EARTH TOUR: LEGACY
Sunday, February 14, 2021, 7pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
After an electrifying performance in 2019, Kodo, the world’s preeminent taiko drumming group, returns to Orange County with the thunderous vibrations of their Legacy World Tour in this heart-racing Valentine’s Day performance.
BRENTANO QUARTET WITH DAWN UPSHAW
Serena Canin, violin
Mark Steinberg, violin
Misha Amory, viola
Nina Lee, cello
Dawn Upshaw, soprano
Sunday, February 21, 2021, 3pm
Soka Performing Arts Center
Part of the Laguna Chamber Music Series
Co-presented by Soka Performing Arts Center
Five-time Grammy-winning vocalist Dawn Upshaw joins the Brentano String Quartet in “The Dido Project,” a soprano monodrama exploring the strong yet vulnerable character of Dido from Purcell’s famous opera Dido and Aeneas.
CHINESE NEW YEAR CONCERT
Wu Man, pipa
Traditional Chinese Orchestra
Sunday, February 21, 2021, 7pm
Irvine Barclay Theatre
Co-presented by Irvine Barclay Theatre
Usher in the Year of the Ox with the world’s premier pipa virtuoso Wu Man in a variety of musical and visual performances celebrating the Lunar New Year.
ASTOR PIAZZOLLA AT 100
WITH PHILIPPE QUINT AND MEMBERS OF THE JOFFREY BALLET
Philippe Quint, violin
Quint Quintet
Members of the Joffrey Ballet
Tuesday, February 23, 2021, 8pm
Irvine Barclay Theatre
Co-presented by Irvine Barclay Theatre
Multi-Grammy-nominated violinist Phillippe Quint and members of the world-class, Chicago-based Joffrey Ballet celebrate the centennial of tango legend Astor Piazzolla in a performance of music and dance.
BERLIN PHILHARMONIC PIANO QUARTET
Luis Esnaola, violin
Matthew Hunter, viola
Knut Weber, cello
Markus Groh, piano
Saturday, February 27, 2021, 8pm
Soka Performing Arts Center
Co-presented by Soka Performing Arts Center
Part of the Laguna Chamber Music Series
BRIDGE: Phantasy Quartet
ELFMAN: Piano Quartet
BRAHMS: Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor
MARCH
SMETANA TRIO
Jan Talich, violin
Jan Pálenícek, cello
Jitka Cechová, piano
Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 8pm
Samueli Theater
Part of the Laguna Chamber Music Series
RACHMANINOFF: Trio élégiaque No. 1 in G minor
MARTINŮ: Piano Trio No. 3 in C major, H. 332
SMETANA: Piano Trio in G minor, Op 15
NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF MEXICO
Carlos Miguel Prieto, conductor
Gabriela Montero, piano
Wednesday, March 3, 2021, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series
MARQUEZ: Danzón No. 2
RACHMANINOFF: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
REVUELTAS: The Night of the Mayas
GEORGE LI, PIANO
Thursday, March 4, 2021, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
After a showstopping performance with the Russian National Orchestra in 2019, International Tchaikovsky Competition Silver Medalist George Li returns in his Orange County recital debut.
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Riccardo Muti, conductor
Robert Chen, violin
Friday, March 12, 2021, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series
MOZART: Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major, K. 218
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Riccardo Muti, conductor
Gene Pokorny, tuba
Saturday, March 13, 2021, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Donna L. Kendall Classical Series
VERDI: Overture to Nabucco
LALO SCHIFRIN: Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra
BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: CHAMBER CONCERT
Sunday, March 14, 2021, 3pm
Irvine Barclay Theatre
Part of the Laguna Chamber Music Series
In the last performance of the Orchestra Festival, see select members from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in an up-close setting, as musicians from the renowned symphony charm audiences in an intimate chamber concert.
2021 Laguna Beach Music Festival
Festival Artistic Director: Conrad Tao, piano
JACK Quartet
The Westerlies
Caleb Teicher, dancer
Stefan Jackiw, violin
March 26-28, 2021
Locations in Laguna Beach
Recipient of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant and eight consecutive ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Awards, pianist and composer Conrad Tao leads the 2021 Laguna Beach Music Festival as Artistic Director, dazzling audiences with his astonishing musical innovation and artistry.
APRIL
ALISA WEILERSTEIN AND TRONDHEIM SOLOISTS
Alisa Weilerstein, cello
Thursday, April 8, 2021, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
GOLIJOV: Last Rounds
VASKS: Presence
HAYDN: Cello Concerto in C major
SCHOENBERG: Verklarte Nacht
JERUSALEM QUARTET WITH ZUKERMAN AND FORSYTH
Alexander Pavlovsky, violin
Sergei Bresler, violin
Ori Kam, viola
Kyril Zlotnikov, cello
Pinchas Zukerman, violin
Amanda Forsyth, cello
Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series
BRUCKNER: Adagio from String Quintet in F major, WAB 112
DVOŘÁK: Sextet for Strings in A major, Op. 48
BRAHMS: Sextet for Strings in B-flat major, Op. 18
EDGAR MEYER & THE SCOTTISH ENSEMBLE
Edgar Meyer, bass
Friday, April 23, 2021, 8pm
Soka Performing Arts Center
Co-presented by Soka Performing Arts Center
Part of the Eclectic Orange Series
ELGAR: Introduction and Allegro for Strings, Op. 47
BACH: Gamba Sonata
EDGAR MEYER: Newly commissioned work
EDGAR MEYER: Concert Duo Mvt. 1
HOLST: St Paul’s Suite in C major No. 2, Op. 29
JOHN ADAMS: Shaker Loops
JEAN-YVES THIBAUDET, PIANO
Saturday, April 24, 2021, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
DEBUSSY: Préludes Books 1 and 2
MAY
SERGIO ASSAD, CLARICE ASSAD, AND THIRD COAST PERCUSSION
Sergio Assad, guitar
Clarice Assad, piano/voice
Third Coast Percussion
Friday, May 28, 2021, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Part of the Eclectic Orange Series
In their program Archetypes, legendary guitarist Sergio Assad, along with Clarice Assad’s spellbinding vocals and the rhythms of Grammy-winning Third Coast Percussion, will take audiences on a vast musical journey exploring the symbolic archetypes that appear in stories, legends, and myths across cultures and throughout the world.
DEUTSCHE KAMMERPHILHARMONIE BREMEN
Trevor Pinnock, conductor
Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano
Saturday, May 29, 2021, 8pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Donna L. Kendall Classical Series
MOZART: Symphony No. 31 in D major, K. 297, “Paris”
SCHUBERT: Lieder for mezzo-soprano and orchestra
POULENC: Sinfonietta, FP 141
Various songs from South America
