Press Releases

The Austin Symphony Orchestra announces its 95th concert season beginning in September 2005. "Experience the Excellence" of the ASO in a season that includes a series of eight calssical concert pairs, a Family Series, Holiday events and the Sarah & Ernest Butler Pops Series, all spanning September through May. Gaining on a century of service to the community, the Austin Symphony is performing more concerts, reaching more people and working harder to serve the people of Austin and Central Texas than ever before.

The ASO launches its astounding classical season September 9th with internationally-acclaimed violinist Anne Akiko Meyers playing works by Chausson and Ravel. In October, pianist Marc-André Hamelin takes center stage for Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major. This concert also features the Austin premiere of UT composer Kevin Puts' Symphony No. 2, "Island of Innocence," as well as Dvorák's Symphony No. 8 in G Major. November welcomes pianist Benedetto Lupo playing Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto in a minor. Also featured is a performance of the Brahms Symphony No. 3.

The ASO rings in the New Year with the January classical performance of violin virtuoso Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg. This concert is part of a yearlong festival produced by the Austin arts community, "Shostakovich 100: Austin Celebrates," commemorating the 100th birthday of Dmitri Shostakovich. Ms. Salerno-Sonnenberg will perform the Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1. February celebrates the influence of Mozart as we present a 250th birthday party for Wolfgang Amadeus. Maestro Peter Bay has programmed Mozart's "Jupiter" Symphony No. 41 and the Overture to The Abduction from the Seraglio. Pianist Janina Fialkowska will be featured guest artist. Called "a born Chopin interpreter" by legendary pianist Arthur Rubenstein, Ms. Fialkowska will demonstrate her virtuosity in a performance of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1.

March comes in like a lamb when guest conductor Ernest Hoetzl leads the ASO in an evening of Viennese classics. Young cellist Alisa Weilerstein guest stars with a performance of the Haydn Cello Concerto. The concert concludes with various works by Johann Strauss, Jr. and Josef Strauss, including On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Op. 314 and Pizzicato Polka. In April the orchestra pays tribute to Spring as the ASO welcomes violin superstar Hilary Hahn back to Austin for a performance of the Glazunov Violin Concerto. Also featured are the Rautavaara Concerto for Birds and Orchestra and Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony No. 6. The classical season closes with a heroic pair of evenings in May. Pianist Diane Walsh performs the Piano Concerto No. 3 of Béla Bartók and the ASO features its new concertmaster in a performance of Richard Strauss' Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life).

The Sarah & Ernest Butler Pops Series once again presents to Austin audiences the best in symphonic pops entertainment with an impressive list of award-winning artists. The series begins September 24th when the ASO welcomes The Righteous Brothers with Bill Medley to Riverbend Centre. Bill Medley continues the phenomenon of "blue-eyed soul" that produced such hits as, "Unchained Melody" and "Lost That Lovin' Feelin'." In December, the Austin Symphony throws a two-night New Year's party not to be missed. Vocal quintet Five By Design will appear with the ASO for a tribute to the Fabulous '40's with Radio Days at the Palmer Events Center. Ring in the New Year with a look back at one of the best musical decades of the 20th Century.

On February 18th, the sounds of R&B will rock Riverbend Centre when six-time Grammy nominees The Spinners join Maestro Bay and the ASO. Their classic group sound has never lost its appeal, with chart-topping hits like, "Then Came You" and "Rubberband Man." Promenade Pops closes the Butler Pops Series with a bang when Big Bad Voodoo Daddy comes to town May 5th & 6th. The Palmer Events Center will jump and jive to one of the hottest, hippest, coolest bands around. They're "high octane jive...wild and swingin'."

Austin Holiday traditions continue December 6th when the Austin Symphony presents Handel's Messiah at Riverbend Centre. Chorus Austin and a quartet of guest soloists join the ASO for an evening that is always a sell-out. The annual free Family Christmas Sing-Along sets "Silver Bells" ringing on December 13th, also at Riverbend Centre.

There's something for every member of the family in the Austin Symphony's Family Series. October brings the annual Children's Halloween Concert at the Paramount Theater. This concert, filled with "chills and trills," will leave you shaking in your boots. Woombah the Fool hosts this popular performance of spine-tingling sounds and young people's favorites. Our Family Concert takes place June 3rd at the Symphony Square Amphitheater with a performance by Joe McDermott and the Smart Little Creatures.

Celebrating 95 years, the Austin Symphony continues to be the leading professional performing arts organization in Central Texas by remaining true to its mission: To enhance the cultural quality of life for the adults and young people of Austin and Central Texas by providing excellence in music performance and educational programming. Be a part of the excitement! Call the Austin Symphony for more information on programs and events that best suit your time and interest. Contact the ASO at (512) 476-6064 or (888) 4-MAESTRO, or visit us online at www.austinsymphony.org.

(Hi-res photos available on request)

© 2005 The Austin Symphony. All Rights Reserved.