The Romance of Irving Berlin and Ellin MacKay

One final valentine on this St. Valentine's Day. The romance of Irving Berlin and Ellin MacKay was unlikely. But one should never underestimate the power of love, and love songs such as those written by Irving Berlin.

SA Symphony: This one goes to eleven

More details about the San Antonio Symphony 72nd Season 2011-12:

October 14 & 15, 2011
Scheherazade
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor
Alexander Gravylyuk, piano

Barber The School for Scandal Overture
Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in D minor
Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, S.124
Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade, Op.35

October 28 & 29, 2011
Paganini Rhapsody
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor
Bernd Glemser, piano

Pärt Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten
Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43
Liszt Totentanz, S.126
Schumann Symphony No. 2 in C major, Op.61

November 4 & 5, 2011
SLL Salutes America
Laurie Auditorium
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor

Music Director Sebastian Lang-Lessing brings his favorite American popular music to the POPS, including works by Bernstein and Gershwin.

November 11 & 12, 2011
Brahms Sings
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor
San Antonio Symphony Mastersingers, John Silantien, director

Brahms/Glanert Four Serious Songs, Op.121
Brahms A German Requiem, Op.45

November 18 & 19, 2011
Rachmaninoff 2
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor
Kolja Blacher, violin

Mozart Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, K.492
Berg Violin Concerto
Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op.27

NOVEMBER 25-27 and DECEMBER 2-4, 2011
The Nutcracker
Performed by Ballet San Antonio
Majestic Theatre
Ken-David Masur, conductor

December 16 & 17, 2011
Holiday POPS
Majestic Theatre
Ken-David Masur, conductor

BEETHOVEN FESTIVAL
January 13 & 14, 2012
Beethoven 1 & 3
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor

Beethoven Coriolan Overture, Op.62
Beethoven Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op.21
Beethoven Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op.55, “Eroica”

January 20 & 21, 2012
Beethoven 2, 4 & 5
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor

Beethoven Symphony No. 2, in D major, Op.36
Beethoven Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Op.60
Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

January 27 & 28, 2012
Beethoven 6 & 7
8 p.m., Majestic Theatre
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor

Beethoven Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op.68, “Pastorale”
Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op.92


February 10 & 11, 2012
Beethoven 8 & 9
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor
Vocal soloists TBA
San Antonio Symphony Mastersingers, John Silantien, director

Beethoven Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op.93
Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op.125, “Choral”

February 12, 2012
Beethoven 9 Sunday Matinee
3 p.m., Majestic Theatre
NOTE: Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 3 p.m. Symphony No. 9 only, not part of Classics series

Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op.125, “Choral”

February 3 & 4, 2012
Broadway Rocks
Laurie Auditorium
Ken-David Masur, conductor

Broadway rocks with your Orchestra and stars from “The Great White Way” in high energy selections from Broadway blockbusters, such as Mamma Mia, Tommy, Rent, The Lion King, Hairspray and The Phantom of the Opera!

March 2 & 3, 2012
The Sea
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor
Latica Honda-Rosenberg, violin

Wagner Overture to The Flying Dutchman
Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op.77
Britten Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, Op.33a
Debussy La mer

Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Renée Fleming
7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre
Special Event (not part of Classics series)
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor
Renée Fleming, soprano

March 9 & 10, 2012
Bugs Bunny at the Symphony
Majestic Theatre
George Daugherty, creator and conductor

Bugs Bunny is back! This new production is the sequel to the original Bugs Bunny on Broadway that was one of the biggest POPS hits of recent years. Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, features a new fusion of on-screen Looney Tunes and live symphony orchestra accompaniment, and spotlights some of the original cartoon treasures of Bugs Bunny on Broadway, while adding an enlarged “cast” of Warner Bros.’ animated characters and cartoons to this celebrated melding of classical music and classic animation.

March 23 & 24, 2012
Nancy Zhou Returns
Ken-David Masur, conductor

Nancy Zhou, violin
Children’s Chorus of San Antonio, Marguerite McCormick, director

Respighi Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite I
Corigliano The Red Violin: Chaconne
Ravel Tzigane
Liszt Dante Symphony
April 13 & 14, 2012
Bach, Handel & Vivaldi
8 p.m., Majestic Theatre
Patrick Duprè Quigley, conductor
Tess Wakim, soprano and Reggie Mobley, countertenor
San Antonio Symphony Mastersingers, John Silantien, director

J. S. Bach. arr. Stokowski Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565
Vivaldi In furore iustissimae irae, RV 626
J. S. Bach Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068
Handel Zadok the Priest
Handel Chandos Anthem No. 4: O Sing Unto the Lord, H249b
Carpentier Te Deum

April 20 & 21, 2012
Fiesta POPS
Majestic Theatre
Ken-David Masur, conductor

May 4 & 5, 2012
Mozart in Old Style
Barry Douglas, conductor and piano

Rossini Overture to La Cenerentola (Cinderella)
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K.466
Górecki Three Pieces in Old Style
Haydn Symphony No. 104 in D major, “London”

May 18 & 19, 2012
Stars Wars and other Space Odysseys
Laurie Auditorium
Michael Krajewski, conductor

Michael Krajewski and the Symphony Pops will boldly go where no orchestral pops concert has gone before! Space has inspired some of the greatest symphonic film music and Star Wars, Star Trek, and E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial are just a few of the thrilling scores that will transport you to a special place filled with fun and fantastic music.

May 25 & 26, 2012
Alondra conducts Copland

Alondra de la Parra, conductor
Mikhail Simonyan, violin

Khachaturian Concerto for Violin
Copland Symphony No. 3

June 1 & 2, 2012
Bruckner Blockbuster
Sebastian Lang-Lessing, conductor
Olga Scheps, piano

Liszt Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S.125
Bruckner Symphony No. 7 in E major

Grammy Winners 2011

Congrats to the winners:
Best Classical Album: Verdi Requiem
Crossover Album: Tin, Christopher: Calling All Dawns
Contemporary Composition: Michael Daugherty
Vocal Performance: Cecilia Bartoli
Small Ensemble Performance: Jordi Savall & Hesperion XXI
Chamber Music Performance: Parker Quartet
Solo Instrumental Performance: Paul Jacobs
Soloist Performance: Mitsuko Uchida
Choral Performance: Chicago Symphony Chorus/Muti
Opera Recording: Saariaho L'Amour de Loin
Orchestral Performance: Nashville Symphony
Producer of the Year: David Frost
Best Engineered Album: Tie - Daugherty & Porter

(presented 2/13/11)

The Greatest Opera Pianist Ever?

Franz Liszt may have only composed one opera, but he is associated with many of the greatest operas of all time through his many opera paraphrases. During this Liszt Year the Piano will explore many of the facts of this amazing artist. Up first, Liszt at the Opera with performances that conjour up skating, the Mute of Portici by Auber and we finish with the barn storming Danse Infernale from Robert le Diable where the ghosts of naughty nuns consort with the Devil.

Amazing performances and thousands of notes, on the Piano, this Sunday afternoon at 5 on KPAC and KTXI.

host, Randy Anderson

Making beautiful music together

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we wanted to share some Classical bon bons for you...the Top Ten Classical Music Couples:

10. James & Jeanne Galway (flutists) [pictured left]

9. Ertan & Kimberly Torgul (violinists)

8. John Corigliano & Mark Adamo (composers)

7. Robert & Clara Schumann (composers/pianists)

6. Martha Argerich & Charles Dutoit Stephen Kovacevich (pianists)

5. Zhou Long & Chen Yi (composers)

4. Pinchas & Eugenia Zukerman & Amanda Forsyth (violinist & cellist)

3. Benjamin Britten & Peter Pears (composer & tenor)

2. David Mollenauer & Stephanie Key (cellist & clarinet)

1. Augusta Read Thomas & Bernard Rands (composers)

Host John Clare spoke with Gusty and Bernard about being married composers - hear the interview here.

Classical Valentines - Top Ten

This Monday is St. Valentine's Day. You're in luck because there is a very romantic concert at UTSA with Ricardo Cobo. He'll perform this weekend with the San Antonio Symphony, but will stay in town and woo audiences with Latin American selections Monday evening starting at 7:30pm.  Find out more about his recital here.


We thought we'd share some modern classical music favorites for your Valentine's Day as well, Host John Clare's Top Ten modern songs for your valentine:
10. Samuel Barber The Lovers listen
9. John Adams Eros Piano listen
8. Philip Glass Modern Love Waltz listen
7. David Diamond Romeo & Juliet listen
6. Bernard Rands Canti d'amor listen
5. Daron Hagen Love in a Life listen
4. Torsten Rasch Mein Herz Brennt listen
3. Olivier Messiaen Garden of Love's Sleep listen
2. Augusta Read Thomas Love Songs listen
1. John Cage A Valentine Out of Season

What are your romantic favorites? Let us know in the comments!

A night at the opera

The San Antonio Opera has announced the opera company’s 2011-2012 Season. Maestro Enrique Patron de Rueda will be at the helm of the San Antonio Opera Orchestra and they also welcome new chorus director Kristin Roach.
The 2011-2012 season kicks off on September 30 - October 2, 2011 with Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet directed by returning stage director Cynthia Stokes. Mexican soprano Maria Alejandrez, a 22-year old recent champion of Plácido Domingo’s worldwide competition Operalia is cast as Juliet, and international tenor Richard Troxell performing the role of Romeo. Local favorite Timothy Jones will play the important character of Friar Lawrence.
On February 17-19, 2012, Mozart’s Don Giovanni will be a co-production with the Baltimore Lyric Opera. The opera will be sung in Italian with English supertitles.
The last production of the 2011-2012 Season is Rossini’s The Barber of Seville scheduled for June 29 - July 1, 2012. The role of Rosina will be played by Mezzo-soprano Jennifer Rivera, Figaro is played by Jeremy Kelly and Count Almaviva will be played by Brian Stucki. The opera is sung in Italian with English supertitles.
With a history and tradition of educating our city’s young children and young adults, the San Antonio Opera continues its Opera4Kids programs for in-school performances, Free Dress Rehearsals in collaboration with the Opera Guild of San Antonio and an outreach program with performances outside of San Antonio.
Season subscriptions are now available for purchase at the 30% discounted rate if purchased or renewed by April 1, 2011. More information is available from the opera Box Office at 210-225-5972 or visit http://www.saopera.com/. They are also on Facebook and Twitter @SAOpera.

Composer Milton Babbitt

Host John Clare shares his interview and memories of the late Milton Babbitt. Read it here, including an unedited interview, outtakes and video.

More about Milton from his publisher G Schirmer: The compositional and intellectual wisdom of Milton Babbitt influenced a wide range of contemporary musicians. His broad array of distinguished musical achievements in the dodecaphonic system and important writings on the subject generated increased understanding and integration of serialist language into the eclectic musical styles of the late 20th century. Babbitt was also renowned for his great talent and instinct for jazz and his astonishing command of American popular music. His All Set, for jazz ensemble, reveals an extraordinary compositional flexibility, uniquely American and vintage Babbitt.
Babbitt, born on 10 May 1916 in Philadelphia, studied composition privately with Roger Sessions. He earned degrees from New York and Princeton Universities and was awarded honorary degrees from Middlebury College, Swarthmore College, New York University, the New England Conservatory, University of Glasgow, and Northwestern University. He taught at Princeton and The Juilliard School.
An extensive catalogue of works for multiple combinations of instruments and voice along with his pioneering achievements in synthesized sound made Babbitt one of the most celebrated of 20th-century composers. He was a founder and member of the Committee of Direction for the Electronic Music Center of Columbia-Princeton Universities and a member of the Editorial Board of Perspectives of New Music. The recipient of numerous honors, commissions, and awards, including a MacArthur Fellowship and a Pulitzer Prize Citation for his "life's work as a distinguished and seminal American composer," Babbitt was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

There are also great resources from NPR, American Music Center and more.

Land of Hope & Glory….and Pianos!

British composer Muzio Clementi may have been the Father of the Pianoforte, so says his gravestone in Westminster Abby, but not a lot of piano music was composed in Britain in the 19th century. However in the next century an explosion of creativity in music took place.

On the Piano this Sunday hear music of impressionists like Bax, Delius and Cyril Scott to composers we mostly identify with the orchestra like Britten and William Alwyn. Hear a proper slap up of 20th century British piano music this Sunday afternoon at 5 on KPAC & KTXI.



host, Randy Anderson

Exciting seasons

The New York Philharmonic held a press conference this afternoon and announced their 2011-12 season, including an online stream from WQXR.

KPAC was happy to receive a note about the San Antonio Symphony's 2011-12 season in the mail today (dated February 1st) as well!

Fleming appears in San Antonio
March 2012 for a special concert!

Highlights for the SA Symphony include Renee Fleming (March 7, 2012 at the Majestic) as a special event, a Beethoven Festival (January 13-February 11, 2012) with all the Symphonies and Coriolan Overture, Brahms Requiem & Four Serious Songs in November 2011, San Antonio violinist Nancy Zhou (March 2012) and Barry Douglas plays piano & conducts in May 2012.

Star Wars returns to the Pops series, as well as a not so Pops concert of American Music with Sebastian Lang Lessing, and Bug Bunny at the Symphony with George Daugherty.

Only living composers appear to be John Corigliano and Arvo Part.  The season will start in October 2011 with Scheherazade and end in June 2012 with Bruckner Blockbuster.

Season subscribers will have a chance to renew first, between now and March 4th with special discounts...other season tickets will be available in the spring and single tickets in the fall.
Find out more about your San Antonio Symphony online at http://www.sasymphony.org/ and on Jack Fishman's blog http://blog.mysanantonio.com/jackfishman/

This summer KPAC & KTXI air select San Antonio Symphony concerts from this season, 2010-11!