The world premiere of a work by jazz legend Dave Brubeck and son Chris Brubeck, and the appearance of esteemed pianist Leon Fleisher, highlight the Sacramento Philharmonic's 2008-09 season.
The new season, the orchestra's 12th, begins Sept. 21 with a collaborative effort by the orchestra, Sacramento Opera and Sacramento Ballet in an evening of arias, overtures and arabesques, and ends in May 2009 with Fleisher conducting the orchestra and playing works by Mozart.
The season marks the 10th anniversary of conductor Michael Morgan's musical leadership.
"I think the orchestra is the best it has ever sounded," Morgan said. "On various occasions, it is some of the best playing that Sacramentans have heard. I'm very pleased with the way things are working out."
Beginning the season with the collaborative effort expands the orchestra's and opera's seasons by one concert. That concert is meant to capitalize on the shared experience of its musicians, who also staff the opera and ballet orchestras. The concert will offer works by Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini and Pyotr Tchaikovsky, among others.
"I would like these collaborations to be ongoing," Morgan said. "I think anything that calls for expanded series and getting us to work together is a very good thing, because if we succeed, we will all succeed together."
A Latin theme pervades the orchestra's next concert, on Nov. 1. That evening's program includes Leonard Bernstein's symphonic dances from "West Side Story" and Heitor Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 for voice and eight cellos, with soprano Marnie Breckenridge.
The orchestra's ongoing exploration of Beethoven's work continues in January with a performance of his Symphony No. 5, plus the Overture to Fidelio and the Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major.
The orchestra's musicians will take center stage in a February concert that is designed as a musical tour of Vienna, Paris and Leipzig, Germany. The concert features principal second violinist Michelle You performing Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor, and principal oboist Tom Nugent soloing on Richard Strauss' Oboe Concerto in G.
Undoubtedly, one of the more interesting concerts to be offered next season is the Brubeck world premiere scheduled for April. The work is a co-commission by the Philharmonic, the Stockton Symphony, the Monterey Symphony, Temple University and Carnegie Hall.
The untitled work is a continuation of its provocative "California Composers" initiative that seeks to bring new works by California composers to the Philharmonic's concert stage. The Brubeck work will pay tribute to photographer Ansel Adams and is designed to be performed as a multimedia experience to include Adams' photographs.
The legendary pianist Fleisher will share the podium with Morgan in May 2009 in a concert featuring two Mozart works – the Concerto No. 7 for two pianos and the Concerto for piano No. 12.
"Fleisher is one of the great pianists of the last century," said Morgan, who, like so many musicians, had his fledgling career deeply influenced by the mentoring of Fleisher.
"He brings a collective wisdom and knowledge to his playing," Morgan said. "It's extraordinary playing, but it's not extraordinary like what you get with young pianists on their way up who are dazzling. With Fleisher, there's a whole other level of dazzle, where the music has so much more to say."
For Philharmonic executive director Marc Feldman, inviting Fleisher to Sacramento is an acknowledgment of how far he thinks the orchestra has come musically.
"We want this season to be compelling for audiences and musicians alike," Feldman said. "The musicians have stepped up in big way this season, and inviting Leon Fleisher to perform and conduct the orchestra is a major nod to the abilities of the orchestra."
As part of its commitment to branch out to the greater Sacramento region, the orchestra is continuing its "Signature Series" concerts. Two series of concerts will be performed at three venues – Sacramento's Guild Theatre, Roseville's Magic Circle Theatre and Temple Or Rishon in Orangevale.
The first is scheduled for Nov. 28 at the Guild and is called "Bach to Blues." The concert features the music of J.S. Bach and gospel songs sung by Oak Park's Paradise Baptist Church Choir. Performances will be repeated in Roseville and Orangevale on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30, respectively.
The music of American composers is the focus of "American Stories," the second series concert to be performed in March 2009 at all three venues. All works are to be accompanied by the spoken word. That concert is a collaboration between the orchestra and the UC Davis Theater Department and includes the West Coast premiere of Wynton Marsalis' "A Fiddler's Tale," with accompanied text written by Stanley Crouch. Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring" and George Gershwin's "Strike Up the Band" also will be performed.
All concerts, except the "Signature Series" concerts, will be performed at the Community Center Theater.
Season subscription tickets go on sale March 31. Single tickets and "Signature Series" tickets go on sale Aug. 15, and can be bought by calling (916) 732-9045.
For more information: www.sacphil.org.
Call Bee arts critic Edward Ortiz, (916) 321-1071.
