Williamsburg, Va. (June 12, 2019) – The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra(WSO) is pleased to announce its 2019-2020 concert season, which will begin on Sept. 13, 2019 with the first concert of its Masterworks series.
As the WSO searches for its next music director, it has invited each of the five finalists for the position to conduct one of the WSO’s Masterworks concerts during the 2019-20 season. After the concert, the audience will be invited to meet the candidate and submit comments through an online or written survey.
Each Masterworks concert will feature a guest artist. These guest artists will each give a Masterclass or take part in an educational activity during their stay in the community.
Masterworks will take place at the Williamsburg Community Chapel and will be performed on one night.
In addition to its Masterworks concerts, the season will also feature a number of special concerts, including the popular Holiday Pops concerts, performances of the Nutcracker with Virginia Regional Ballet, the Cabaret & Cocktails concert, Peter and the Wolf concerts in area schools, and a Side-by-Side concert with the Williamsburg Youth Orchestras.
“The Williamsburg Symphony audiences will be taken on an exciting journey from start to finish as they meet the candidates, enjoy the beautiful programs and exquisite guest artists,” said Carolyn Keurajian, executive director of the WSO. “ We are also thrilled to present our pops concerts and more educational programs for the community, including multiple performances of Peter and the Wolf in our local elementary schools. This season is a true turning point for the orchestra and we welcome all of our subscribers to take part and give feedback on the future of their symphony.”
WILLIAMSBURG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2019-2020 CONCERT SCHEDULE AND GUEST ARTISTS
September 13
Masterworks 1: Brahms and Sibelius
Music Director Candidate: Wesley Schulz
Guest Artist: Bella Hristova, violin
Oct. 22
Masterworks 2: Mendelssohn and Beethoven
Music Director Candidate: Paul Polivnick
Guest Artist: Chee Yun Kim, violin
Nov. 21
Masterworks 3: Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5
Music Director Candidate: Steven White
Guest Artist: Frank Rosenwein, oboe
Dec. 7 and 8
Holiday Pops concerts @ Kimball Theatre
Dec. 21
Nutcracker with Virginia Regional Ballet @ Ferguson Center for the Arts
Jan. 16
Masterworks 4: Dvorák Symphony No. 8
Music Director Candidate: James Blachly
Guest Artist: Kathryn Mueller, soprano
Jan. 25
Cabaret & Cocktails @ Williamsburg Lodge
Featuring: Ann Hampton Callaway
March 26
Masterworks 5: Romantics
Music Director Candidate: Andrés Lopera
Guest Artist: Eun Joo Chung, piano
May 3
Side-by-Side with the Williamsburg Youth Orchestras
ABOUT THE SEASON’S GUEST ARTISTS
Acclaimed for her passionate, powerful performances, beautiful sound, and compelling command of her instrument, violinist Bella Hristova is a young musician with a growing international career. Hristova has performed extensively as soloist with orchestras including with Pinchas Zukerman and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Lincoln Center, with the New York String Orchestra under Jaime Laredo at Carnegie Hall, as well as with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pasadena, Charleston, Asheville, Greenwich, Vermont, Kansas City, Delaware, Columbus symphonies and Orquesta Filarmónica de Boca del Río, Asturias Symphony Orchestra, Centro Nacional de la Música-la Orquesta, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra, and Korea’s Cheongju Symphony Orchestra. For images, please visit www.bellahristova.com.
Chee-Yun has performed with many of the world’s foremost orchestras and conductors. Orchestral highlights include her tours of the United States with the San Francisco Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas and Japan with the NHK Symphony, a concert with the Seoul Philharmonic conducted by Myung-Whun Chung that was broadcast on national television, and a benefit for UNESCO with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Avery Fisher Hall. For images, please visit www.chee-yun.net.
Frank Rosenwein joined The Cleveland Orchestra as principal oboe at the beginning of the 2005–06 season. He made his solo debut with the orchestra in February 2007, in Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2. Since 2006, Mr. Rosenwein has served as head of the oboe department at the Cleveland Institute of Music. An avid chamber musician, he has spent many summers at the Marlboro Festival and has performed with the Mainly Mozart Festival in San Diego, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, and the Seattle Chamber Music Society. For images, please visit www.clevelandorchestra.com.
American soprano Kathryn Muellerhas made a mark with her “appealing stage presence of personal warmth and musicianship,” singing a wide range of repertoire from period baroque performances to world premieres of new works. In concert, her performances have included those with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra; the Charlotte, Memphis, Phoenix, Tucson, New Mexico, and Winston-Salem Orchestras; American Bach Soloists, Portland Baroque Orchestra, and Santa Fe Pro Musica. For images, please visit www.schwalbeandpartners.com.
Ann Hampton Callaway is one of America’s most gifted and prolific artists. A leading champion of the great American Songbook, she has made her mark as a singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator, TV host and producer. Voted by Broadwayworld.com as “Performer of the Year” and two years in a row as “Best Jazz Vocalist,” Ann is born entertainer. Her unique singing style that blends jazz and traditional pop, making her a mainstay in concert halls, theaters and jazz clubs as well as in the recording studio, on television, and in film. She is best known for Tony-nominated performance in the hit Broadway musical Swing! and for writing and singing the theme song to the hit TV series The Nanny. For images, please visit www.annhamptoncallaway.com.
Eun Joo Chung‘s gripping interpretations of the piano literature, beautiful sound and superb musicianship have led her to major venues around the world. She has performed in the most prestigious concert halls; in past seasons she has given recitals at the Philharmonie in Berlin, the Musikverein in Vienna, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Most recently, Chung was invited to play at the 48th International Chopin Festival in Duszniki, Poland, as well as in Switzerland, at the renowned St. Moritz Piano Festival. She was presented in a series of solo and chamber music recitals in Florence, Italy, and Toulouse, France under the auspices of the La Gesse Foundation, who then sponsored her Carnegie Hall debut in 2004. For images, please visit www.ejchung.com
TICKET INFORMATION
Season subscriptions for the five concert Masterworks series are now on sale, starting at $210 each, by calling 757-229-9857. Season subscribers receive discounts on Holiday Pops tickets if the purchase is made with subscription.
ABOUT THE WILLIAMSBURG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) is an acclaimed professional orchestra performing in the heart of Williamsburg, Va. Its vision is to entertain, inspire and educate diverse audiences of all ages through musical excellence. For more information about The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra, visit williamsburgsymphony.org. Follow on Facebook and Instagram (The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra) and Twitter (@WMBGSymphony).
