Westchester Philharmonic Launches 2010-11 Season

Sept. 21, 2010 - PRLog -- Transformed by the magic of Itzhak Perlman two seasons ago, the Westchester Philharmonic continues under the baton of Maestro Perlman with another stellar season. Audiences will be in awe of the treasure in our own backyard as the likes of Marvin Hamlisch and Perlman himself take the stage at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College during the orchestra’s 2010-11 main stage season.

Beginning October 9th at 8 pm and October 10th at 3 pm Perlman will lead Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture and Tchaikovsky’s famed “Pathetique” Symphony No. 6, the composer’s last and most mysterious work. Then, he takes a seat in the orchestra to conduct and perform Beethoven’s famed Romances for Violin and Orchestra. It’s not every day that audience’s can hear this musical luminary in our neighborhood, playing some of the greatest music ever written, and conducting it too.  Ticket holders are invited to free pre-concert discussions with orchestra musicians at 6:50 pm on October 9th and 1:50 pm on October 10th.

Having led the orchestras of Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Louisiana, Nashville and many others, American conductor Chelsea Tipton II brings his vibrant musicality to Westchester on November 13th at 8 pm and 14th at 3 pm. Maestro Tipton has won over audiences and critics alike with his versatility, accessibility, and extraordinary commitment to music education. Currently the Music Director for the Symphony of Southeast Texas, Tipton will debut with the Westchester Philharmonic leading works by Stravinsky, Schuman, Copland and Dvořák. Maestro Tipton also has plans to make the rounds in some local schools during his week-long residency with the Phil. Ticket holders can also enjoy a free pre-concert discussion honoring the 100th anniversary of Schuman’s birth with Schuman’s son, Tony Schuman and biographer and Julliard School President, Joseph Polisi.

The Philharmonic brings 2010 to a close with a composer who has won virtually every major award that exists: three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony and three Golden Globe awards; his groundbreaking show, A Chorus Line, even received the Pulitzer Prize. Composer Marvin Hamlisch needs no further introduction. He’ll take the stage as conductor and pianist for the orchestra’s annual one-day-only Winter Pops concert featuring, what else but pops hits and holiday favorites. Patrons are urged to buy tickets early; the December 19th Winter Pops concert at 3 pm has sold-out three seasons in a row.

In the spring Maestro Perlman returns to conduct the orchestra in one of Haydn’s best-known works, Symphony No. 88. He’ll finish the April 16th at 8 pm and April 17th at 3 pm program with Mahler’s First Symphony. This work may have bewildered the 19th century audiences of his day but will surely earn a standing ovation from a 2011 crowd.

This remarkable season will close with Perlman conducting rising pianist Orion Weiss, “…an effortlessly brilliant performer. … with technique to burn and strongly personable energy” (The Arizona Republic). On May 14th at 8 pm and May 15th at 3 pm expect a deeply felt and exceptionally crafted performance from this 27-year-old virtuoso whose technical mastery has won him acclaim from audiences, critics and colleagues. Said the Cincinnati Post, “There is a new star on the pianistic horizon…and like his astrological namesake, he is a constellation unto himself.”

All events take place at The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College. Free open rehearsals are scheduled for Saturdays October 9, November 13, April 16 and May 14 at 10 am in The Concert Hall. Additional pre-concert discussions are TBD. Please visit www.westchesterphil.org for updates.


High resolution photos are available and may be downloaded from: www.westchesterphil.org/pressphotos.asp

Concert Tickets

All performances will take place in The Concert Hall at The Performing Arts Center Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, New York. Five and four concert subscriptions are available and range from $357-$89. Single tickets range from $85-$25. Student/child/group discounts are available.

To purchase tickets and for additional information call the Westchester Philharmonic Box Office at (914) 682-3707 ext. 10.  Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card accepted.  Visit the Westchester Philharmonic’s website at www.westchesterphil.org.

# # #

About the Westchester Philharmonic: led by world-renowned Artistic Director Itzhak Perlman, the westchester Philharmonic is the only fully-professional classical symphony orchestra devoted to serving the people of Westchester County, NY.