(Akron—Ohio) The Akron Symphony Orchestra opens the 2022-23 season on September 24 with American Fanfare, musical portraits of our nation by six different American composers. The Classics Series concerts have a new starting time this season: 7:30 pm.
The program explores Americanness through diverse lenses, employing an exciting range of musical styles. Together, the works tell a rich and layered tale of this country’s musical heritage.
Copland’s famous Fanfare for the Common Man salutes civilians serving our country through simple daily acts. Gershwin’s An American in Paris is his classic jazz-age portrayal of an American visitor to Paris. Shakamaxon is the historic Indian village—bordering present-day Philadelphia—where Chief Tamanend signed the 1682 treaty between William Penn and the Lenape Indians. Jerod Tate’s spirited dance for strings pays respectful and playful homage to the Lenape people.
American Fanfare
John Gruber, trombone
Aaron Copland Fanfare for the Common Man
Florence Price Andante moderato
Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate Moccasin Game
William Grant Still Symphony No. 2 “Song of a New Race”
George Walker Trombone Concerto
George Gershwin An American in Paris
”We are so excited for this season and all the projects we have planned on and off the stage,” says Music Director Christopher Wilkins. “This season gives us a chance to feature talented composers outside the standard fare and explore a diverse array of styles. This season is the most inclusive, far-reaching, and thought-provoking we’ve ever produced.”
The 2022–23 season is a mashup of musical styles unlike any other. It’s a year-long celebration of being American, of cultural traditions outside the standard fare, of exciting new voices, and elder statesmen like Beethoven and Mahler. By broadening the usual orchestral palette, these programs offer a greater range of expression, a heightened sense of discovery, and more opportunities for storytelling.
The season also includes:
October 15 at 7:30 pm
Pastoral Symphony
with projections of works by Norman Rockwell and original animations by Amber Kempthorn*
Stella Sung Rockwell Reflections
Benjamin Britten Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes
Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 6 “Pastorale”
* Knight Arts Challenge Winner
November 12 at 7:30 pm
Ellington’s Nutcracker & The Ballad of the Brown King
Louise Toppin, soprano
Akron Symphony Chorus
Members of Gospel Meets Symphony Choir
Ottorino Respighi Ancient Airs and Dances No. 2
Margaret Bonds The Ballad of the Brown King (A Christmas Cantata)
Julia Perry Fragments from the Letters of Saint Catherine
Duke Ellington Nutcracker Suite (after Tchaikovsky)
December 9 at 7:30 pm
Home for the Holidays
January 14 at 7:30 pm
Serenade for Strings
Eunice Kim, violin
Xavier Foley, double bass
Members of the Gospel Meets Symphony Choir
J. S. Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 3
Julia Perry Pastoral
Xavier Foley Double Concerto “For Justice and Peace”
Giovanni Bottesini Double Bass Concerto No. 2
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings
February 11 at 7:30 pm
Gospel Meets Symphony
February 25 at 7:30 pm
Global Circus
Featuring Syrian refugees of the Sirkhane Social Circus School in a film by Pinar Demiral and projected artwork by Milad Yousufi
Wolfgang Amadè Mozart Turkish March
Kareem Roustom Dabke
Georges Bizet L’Arlésienne (excerpts from the original version)
Milad Yousufi Freedom
Sahba Aminikia Circus Play
Alberto Ginastera Variaciones concertantes
April 15 at 7:30 pm
Mahler’s Third
Women of the Akron Symphony Chorus
Children’s Choir
Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 3
May 13 at 7:30 pm
Brahms Requiem
Akron Symphony Chorus
Brian Keith Johnson, baritone
Timothy Adams Harriet Tubman & The Underground Railroad*
* a premiere performance (commissioning consortium)
Johannes Brahms A German Requiem
Please note that our concerts begin at 7:30 pm this season.
The best way not to miss a note is to become a season subscriber. Patrons who subscribe enjoy steep discounts on a full season of concerts, guaranteed seats, a 10 percent discount on additional single ticket purchases, and a flexible ticket exchange program.
All concerts take place at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall, located on the campus of The University of Akron. Single tickets start at $20. For more information, visit AkronSymphony.org.
About the Akron Symphony Orchestra
For more than 60 years, the Akron Symphony Orchestra has been a driving musical force throughout the Greater Akron area. Widely recognized for musical excellence and performance versatility, the Akron Symphony Orchestra is committed to enhancing the quality of life of our community through educational and musical excellence.
The Akron Symphony Orchestra is operated by the Greater Akron Musical Association, Inc. (GAMA). GAMA’s vision is to be embraced and sustained as a community treasure that provides a welcoming environment for all people to experience great music. This vision is realized by operating the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Akron Youth Orchestras, Akron Symphony Chorus, and numerous special outreach and educational programs.
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