National Philharmonic Announces 2019-20 Season Concerts

BETHESDA, MD — From National Philharmonic:

Music Director and Conductor Piotr Gajewski and the National Philharmonic at Strathmore announced its 2019-2020 season today. The Philharmonic's dynamic and varied 2019-20 season, led by Maestro Gajewski, opens with Beethoven's Eroica Symphony and unique Triple Concerto, with the acclaimed Eroica Trio, on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 8 pm and Sunday, September 22, 2019 at 3 pm at The Music Center at Strathmore. All 2019-20 concerts will be held at the Music Center at Strathmore's Concert Hall. Subscriptions for the new season are now on sale. Tickets are free for young people age 7-17. Strathmore is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nationalphilharmonic.org or call 301.581.5100.

The season is filled with outstanding soloists, including first-rate Mozartean Orli Shaham, who performs Mozart's sublime Piano Concerto No. 20 on Jan. 18 and 19, 2020; Sphinx Competition winner Melissa White, recently heard on the soundtrack of the hit movie US, who takes the stage for Florence Price's Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major on February 22, 2019; clarinetist Jon Manasse, who plays Mozart's Clarinet Concerto on March 21, 2020; and Grammy-winner cellist Zuill Bailey, who is showcased in Michael Daugherty's Tales of Hemingway on April 18, 2020. In addition, the Eroica Trio, winner of the prestigious Naumburg Award, performs Beethoven's Triple Concerto with the Philharmonic on September 21 and 22, 2019.

As part of the worldwide celebration of Beethoven's 250th birthday, two concerts showcase several of his masterpieces including the powerful Missa Solemnis on May 30, 2020, a work Beethoven declared to be his very best. The season also celebrates the genius of Mozart with several special evenings — one featuring his majestic Jupiter Symphony and Piano Concerto No. 20 on March 21, 2020, and two performances of his stirring Requiem and gorgeous Clarinet Concerto on January 18 and 19, 2020. In addition, pianist Brian Ganz celebrates the 10th year of his quest to play the complete works of the great Romantic composer Frederic Chopin on February 1, 2020. The award-winning pianist explores masterpieces such as the great Polonaise-Fantaisie, the Funeral March, the brilliant Waltzes, Op. 34 and the expressive Nocturnes, Op. 27, along with the surprisingly engaging youthful efforts that made them possible.

The National Philharmonic will also present many special performances such as the Music of ABBA on November 2, 2019, with the ABBA tribute band performing the group's greatest hits, including Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen and Fernando. On November 23, 2019, experience the moving work for solo voices, chorus and orchestra Voices of Light, which accompanies the classic silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc. The special fun and festive Holiday Singin' Pops on December 6, 2019 with top Broadway and international talent will feature fresh new takes on traditional holiday songs. The Philharmonic's popular performances of Handel's Messiah on December 21 and 22, 2019 will showcase soprano Esther Heideman and mezzo-soprano Magdalena Wór. An evening dedicated to black classical music pioneers on Feb. 22, 2020, features works by Wynton Marsalis, George Walker and William Grant Still, and a concert exploring the connection between music and the written word on April 28, 2020, highlights Henry Dehlinger's Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock and Michael Daughtery's Tales of Hemingway.

In its fourteenth year of residency at the Music Center at Strathmore, the National Philharmonic is performing to nearly 50,000 people each year. The Philharmonic will continue its commitment to education and outreach by offering free concerts to every second grader in Montgomery County Public Schools, free pre-concert lectures, master classes with renowned guest soloists, chamber music performances in the community and high-quality summer string and choral programs. The Philharmonic is offering several Meet the Musicians (September 22, 2019 and January 19, 2020), during which young people explore orchestral instruments with members of the orchestra. In addition, the Philharmonic's Color the Music Project encourages young people to submit artwork or poetry related to specific music (November 2, 2019 and May 30, 2020) for display in the Strathmore lobby during the concert weekend. The Young Composer-in-Residence program continues with a performance of a work by young composer Alistair Coleman, who grew up in Bethesda and now attends the Julliard School in New York.

The National Philharmonic is once again offering its subscribers a Custom Series, allowing subscribers to create their own packages and receive substantial discounts. To purchase tickets for the performances and for a complete schedule, please visit www.nationalphilharmonic.org or call the Strathmore Ticket Office at 301.581.5100. Tickets for young people 7-17 are free through the ALL KIDS, ALL FREE, ALL THE TIME program. ALL KIDS tickets can be purchased online, in person or by phone. Complimentary parking is available.

About Maestro Piotr Gajewski

Maestro Gajewski is one of a select group of American conductors equally at home in nearly all musical genres. He is the music director and conductor of the National Philharmonic at theMusic Center at Strathmore, and a sought-after guest conductor. He was a student and disciple of the late Leonard Bernstein and is described by The Washington Post as an "immensely talented and insightful conductor, whose standards, taste and sensitivity are impeccable." With one foot in the United States and the other in Europe, as Principal Guest Conductor of the Silesian Philharmonic (Katowice, Poland) and frequent guest at other orchestras, the jet-set maestro's seemingly limitless repertoire, most conducted without a score, amazes critics and audiences alike.

About the National Philharmonic

Led by Maestro Gajewski, the National Philharmonic is known for performances that are "powerful," "impeccable," and "thrilling" (The Washington Post). In July 2003, the NationalChamber Orchestra and Masterworks Chorus merged to create the National Philharmonic, an ensemble with more than 50 years of combined history, bringing high caliber musical performances to the Washington area. The National Philharmonic took up residence at the state-of-the-art Music Center at Strathmore upon its opening in February 2005. Now, more than 250 performances later, and with far-reaching educational programming, the National Philharmonic is the largest and most active professional orchestra based in Montgomery County. The National Philharmonic boasts a long-standing tradition of reasonably priced tickets and free admission to all young people age 7-17, assuring its place as an accessible and enriching component in Montgomery County and the greater Washington, D.C., area.

As the Music Center at Strathmore's orchestra-in-residence, the National Philharmonic showcases world-renowned guest artists in time-honored symphonic masterpieces conducted byMaestro Gajewski, and monumental choral masterworks under National Philharmonic ChoraleArtistic Director Stan Engebretson.

National Philharmonic's 2019-20 Season at Strathmore

Eroica & Beethoven
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, 8 pm
Saturday, Sept. 22, 2019, 3pm
Sat: Pre-concert lecture, 6:45-7:15pm; Sun: 1:45-2:15pm
Sat + Sun: Member Encore Q&A
Sun 2-2:30pm: Meet the Musicians

Eroica Trio
Erika Nickrenz, piano
Sara Parkins, violin
Sara Sant'Ambrogio, cello

Piotr Gajewski, conductor

Beethoven Triple Concerto in C Major
Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major ("Eroica")

The acclaimed Eroica Trio, winner of the prestigious Naumberg Award, teams up with theNational Philharmonic for a performance of Beethoven's Triple, one of the most unusual concertos in the Western tradition. It is a work of irresistible appeal, at once intimate and symphonic in style. The "Eroica" Symphony, composed in 1803-04, is a groundbreaking work in Beethoven's stylistic development, bringing together classical control and romantic exuberance. Famously, Beethoven had originally dedicated the work to Napoleon Bonaparte, in recognition of what he thought were Napoleon's democratic ideals. The dedication was scratched out, however, after an angry Beethoven discovered that Napoleon proclaimed himself Emperor of theFrench, and the title "Eroica" was used instead.

Sponsored by Ms. Jane Liu & Mr. Edward Brinker

The Music of ABBA

Arrival from Sweden
Saturday, November 2, 2019, 8 pm
NOTE: No pre-concert lecture

Relive the musical and movie Mamma Mia! Original ABBA musicians perform the group's greatest hits including Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Take a Chance, Waterloo, Fernando and more!

ARRIVAL from Sweden was founded by Vicky Zetterberg in 1995 in Gothenburg, Sweden and soon became one of the world's most popular ABBA tribute band. The band has toured in 60 countries and has appeared in several TV and radio shows all over the world.

For Young People
Participate in the Color the Music Project
For more information, visit nationalphilharmonic.org

Voices of Light

Silent Film with Live Orchestra & Chorale
Featuring The Passion of Joan of Arc
Saturday, November 23, 2019, 8 pm
Pre-concert lecture 6:45 pm

Suzanne Karpov, soprano
Katherine Pracht, mezzo-soprano
Matt Smith, tenor
Kerry Wilkerson, baritone
National Philharmonic Chorale
Stan Engebretson, conductor

The original version of Theodor Dreyer's iconic silent film The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) was rediscovered in 1981. The recovery and remastering of the film caused an international sensation. In 1994, American composer Richard Einhorn wrote a brand-new soundtrack for the film, Voices of Light, for solo voices, chorus and orchestra. Einhorn's libretto interestingly draws from a variety of medieval and renaissance sources, including religious texts, mystic writings by women, and excerpts from the actual trial of Joan of Arc. The luminous, otherworldly, powerfully evocative music creates an unforgettable counterpoint to the film, resulting in a memorable and deeply affecting artistic experience.

Voices of Light has been hailed as "a triumph" (Los Angeles Times) and praised as "lush,"
"brilliantly effective" and "moving" by The New York Times.

Sponsored by Rochelle Stanfield & Edward Grossman

Holiday Singin' Pops

Saturday, December 6, 2019, 7:30pm
Note: No pre-concert lecture

Ali Ewoldt - Phantom of the Opera
Hilary Morrow - Birdland Jazz Club
Kevin Rose - international vocalist
Evan Ruggiero - acclaimed tap dancer
National Philharmonic Chorale
Luke Frazier conductor

Create memories with your family and friends as you share in the sights and sounds of the holidays at the National Philharmonic's annual Holiday Singin' Pops. Join top-level Broadway and international talent for a fun and festive evening featuring fresh new takes on traditional and beloved holiday songs. Broadway singer/actress performer Ali Ewoldt of Phantom of the Opera;Hilary Morrow of the Birdland Jazz Club; international vocalist Kevin Rose; and acclaimed tap dancer Evan Ruggiero, who recently performed at the Oscars, perform holiday favorites such asSanta Baby, I'll be Home for Christmas, No Place Like Home for the Holidays, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. The evening will include audience participation. Come early to take a festive photo with Santa, decorate an ornament and hear young carolers.

Hallelujah! Handel's Messiah

Saturday, December 21, 2019, 8 pm
Saturday, December 22, 2019, 3pm
Sat: Pre-concert lecture, 6:45-7:15pm; Sun: 1:45-2:15pm

Esther Heideman, soprano
Magdalena Wór, mezzo-soprano
Matthew Smith, tenor
Kevin Deas, bass
National Philharmonic Chorale
Stan Engebretson, conductor

No Christmas celebration is complete without a performance of Handel's uplifting oratorio Messiah, a work that has delighted and inspired audiences worldwide since its premiere in 1741. The perennial favorite features such timeless highlights as "And the Glory of the Lord" and the "Hallelujah Chorus."

"The chorus was phenomenal, totally responsive to [National Philharmonic Chorale Artistic Director Stan] Engebretson’s directions." -- The Washington Post

Chords of Kindness: Participate in a holiday toy drive hosted by the Community Ministries of Rockville and the National Philharmonic on Dec. 23.

Jupiter Symphony

Saturday, January 18, 2020, 8 pm
Saturday, January 19, 2020, 3pm
Sat: Pre-concert lecture, 6:45-7:15pm; Sun: 1:45-2:15pm
Sat + Sun: Member Encore Q&A
Sun 2-2:30pm: Meet the Musicians

Orli Shaham, piano
Piotr Gajewski, conductor

Mozart

Overture to Il Re Pastore (The Shepherd King)
Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor with Beethoven cadenzas
Symphony No. 41 ("Jupiter")

Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20, one of Beethoven’s favorites, has a verve and intensity that one seldom associates with the musical genius. It is no wonder that Beethoven not only favored this concerto, but also wrote a cadenza that evokes, in a Beethovenian way, the energy and intensity of the work. The Symphony No. 41, appropriately nicknamed "Jupiter," is a towering and majestic work. The charming Overture to Il re Pastore (1775), written when he was only 19, is quintessential Mozart – a microcosm of drama, elegance and ease.

Orli Shaham is "a first-rate Mozartean" says The Chicago Tribune.

10th Year! Brian Ganz

Chopin — The Growth of Genius
Saturday, January 18, 2020, 8 pm
NOTE: No pre-concert lecture

Join pianist extraordinaire Brian Ganz as he celebrates the 10th year in his monumental quest to perform the complete works of the great Romantic composer Frédéric Chopin. Ganz explore searly waltzes, polonaises, nocturnes and marches to demonstrate the seed of Chopin's genius,followed by mature examples of the same genres. Featured will be masterpieces such as the great Polonaise-Fantaisie, the Funeral March, the brilliant Waltzes, Op. 34 and the gloriously expressive Nocturnes, Op. 27, along with the surprisingly engaging youthful efforts that made them possible.

"There isn't much about Chopin that Brian Ganz doesn't know. His delight and wonder in this
music seem to grow, apparently without bounds, as time goes on." -- The Washington Post

Black Classical Music Pioneers

Saturday, February 22, 2020, 8 pm
Pre-concert lecture 6:45pm

Melissa White, violin
Piotr Gajewski, conductor

Wynton Marsalis Wild Strumming of Fiddle (from All Rise)
Florence Price Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Major
George Walker Lyric for Strings
William Grant Still Symphony No. 1 ("Afro-American")

Wild Strumming of Fiddle, by Wynton Marsalis (born 1961), comes from a remarkable 12-movement work that fuses jazz and symphonic music to create a dizzying array of sounds, rhythms and melodies. The Violin Concerto No. 1 (1939) by Florence Price (1887-1953) is a highly accomplished work in the models of the European classical concerto, by the first African-American woman to be widely recognized as a symphonic composer. The Lyric for Strings (1946) by George Walker (1922-2018), the first African-American composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music, is a work of intimate beauty. The Symphony No. 1 (1930) by William Grant Still (1895-1978) is the first symphony written by an African-American composer. Its subtitle ("Afro-American") points to the unique style of the work, which includes elements of blues and jazz.

Sphinx Competition winner violinist Melissa White is "bringing a new attitude to classical music, one that is fresh, bracing and intelligent." – The Cincinnati Enquirer

Sponsored by Patricia Haywood Moore & Roscoe M. Moore Jr.

Mozart's Requiem

Saturday, March 21, 2020, 8 pm
Pre-concert lecture 6:45pm
Member Encore Q&A

Suzanne Karpov, soprano
Magdalena Wór, mezzo-soprano
Norman Shankle, tenor
Kevin Deas, bass
Jon Manasse, clarinet
Piotr Gajewski, conductor

Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A Major
Requiem in D minor

The genius of Mozart found its last expressions in two works of transcendent beauty and power,each of them an iconic masterpiece in its genre: the Clarinet Concerto (Mozart's last completed instrumental work) and the Requiem (which remained unfinished at his death). The elegantClarinet Concerto, completed in October 1791, features some of the most sublime melodies thatMozart ever wrote.

According to Mozart's wife Constanze, in the last months of his life, when he was beset by illness and financial woes, Mozart received a mysterious commission for a Requiem Mass from an anonymous patron. In his confused state of mind, Mozart believed he was composing a Requiem for his own death. He worked feverishly, literally racing against time, but the work remained unfinished at the time of his death.

Music + Prose

Saturday, April 18, 2020, 8 pm
Meet the Composers 6:45-7:30pm
Member Encore Q&A

Danielle Talamantes, soprano
Zuill Bailey, cello (three-time Grammy winner)
Piotr Gajewski, conductor

Samuel Barber Overture to The School for Scandal
Henry Dehlinger The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
A Rhapsody for Voice and Orchestra (orchestral premiere)
Alistair Coleman Concerto for Cello and Orchestra (world premiere)
Michael Daugherty Tales of Hemingway

Hear cellist Zuill Bailey's Grammy-winning performance of Michael Daugherty's Tales of Hemingway, a musical meditation on four different literary works by Ernest Hemingway, and two world premieres! Henry Dehlinger's The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, based on the famous poem by T.S. Eliot, was composed specifically for the gifted soprano Danielle Talamantes. The program also includes a newly commissioned work from Alistair Coleman,continuing the National Philharmonic tradition of showcasing the work of younger composers.

"If you have not heard [Zuill] Bailey in live performance, you have not experienced all that the cello is capable of." — The Spokesman Review

Danielle Talamantes' "instrument commands the full scope of expression and blend (not to mention range) demanded by the role...." -- The Roanoke Times said of Ms. Talamantes performance of Susannah Polk in Carlisle Floyd's Susannah

Sponsored by the Prufrock Fund

Beethoven's Missa Solemnis

Saturday, May 30, 2020, 8 pm
Pre-concert lecture 6:45pm
Esther Heideman, soprano
Shirin Eskandani, mezzo-soprano
Norman Shankle, tenor
Kerry Wilkerson, baritone
National Philharmonic Chorale
Piotr Gajewski, conductor

Majestic. Visionary. Transcendent. Beethoven's Missa Solemnis is a powerful testimony of his own motto that "music is a higher revelation than any philosophy." Beethoven himself considered it to be his greatest work. When it premiered on April 7, 1824 in St. Petersburg,Russia, the Missa Solemnis was instantly recognized as a masterpiece and meditation on mortality and transcendence.

For Young People
Participate in the Color the Music Project
For more information, visit nationalphilharmonic.org