- Detroit Symphony Orchestra offers new, live DSO Digital Concerts through June on the Classical, PNC Pops, CUBE | Digital, and Family series
- DSO Music Director Jader Bignamini returns plus guest conductors and soloists including Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, Music Director Laureate Leonard Slatkin, Kent Nagano, Midori, James Conlon, Baiba Skride, James Ehnes, Domingo Hindoyan, Dmitry Sinkovsky, Wynton Marsalis, Orli Shaham, William Eddins, Byron Stripling, and Louis Lortie
- Classical Series includes music by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Still, Tania León, Daniel Bernard Roumain, and Jennifer Higdon and premieres by Roberto Sierra, Veronika Krausas, and Sebastian Fagerlund
- Annual Classical Roots Celebration returns virtually to highlight African American contributions to classical music featuring performances by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet with Wynton Marsalis
Detroit (December 3, 2020) – In 2021, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) will continue its innovative DSO Digital Concerts with an extensive lineup of Classical, PNC Pops, CUBE | Digital, and Young People’s Family Concert performances streamed live from Orchestra Hall.
The orchestra’s slate of upcoming concerts will be live streamed without audiences through June 2021. Each concert will offer 30 to 45 minutes of music and is innovatively programmed with health and safety considerations of performers in mind and to maximize enjoyment on computers, mobile devices, and smart TVs. A new 360-square-foot extension to the Orchestra Hall stage will allow the DSO to offer expanded repertoire by featuring a greater number of socially distanced musicians.
DSO Digital Concerts are available exclusively on dso.org to view both live and on-demand for two weeks following the original performance. Subscribers and select donors receive access to all DSO Digital Concerts, with individual tickets available for purchase. DSO Replay—the orchestra’s archive of past webcasts—remains remain free for all.
Introduced to audiences as the orchestra’s music director in January 2020, Jader Bignamini will return on May 7-8 and May 20-21 to conduct four programs including performances by violinist Midori and pianist Orli Shaham.
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet with Wynton Marsalis will perform with the orchestra on March 6 in the DSO’s annual Classical Roots Celebration highlighting African American contributions to classical music. The concert will feature music by Marsalis, Stravinsky, and Bernstein. Performing as a septet with Marsalis, musicians from the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra will also perform their own program the preceding evening as part of the DSO’s Paradise Jazz Series.
On the Classical Series, upcoming highlights include appearances by DSO Music Director Laureate Leonard Slatkin; conductors Hannu Lintu, John Storgårds, Domingo Hindoyan, James Conlon, and Kent Nagano; violinist James Ehnes in programs of Bach, Brahms, and Sibelius; and conductor, violinist, and countertenor Dimitry Sinkovsky in music by Handel, Vivaldi, Beethoven, and Mozart. Other soloists include violinists Baiba Skride and Kimberley Kaloyanides Kennedy (DSO Acting Concertmaster), violists Eric Nowlin (Principal Viola) and James VanValkenburg (Assistant Principal Viola), and pianists Louis Lortie and Till Fellner.
In addition to orchestral and chamber music by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Saint-Georges, Still, Tania León, Daniel Bernard Roumain, and Jennifer Higdon, there will be performances of new works by Roberto Sierra, Veronika Krausas, and Sebastian Fagerlund.
The DSO will also present five weeks of PNC Pops Series programming, with special guests including DSO Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, conductors Stuart Chafetz and Andy Einhorn, vocalist Shayna Steele, trumpeter/vocalist Byron Stripling, and more. Young People’s Family Concert programming will include a program of kid-friendly film music on January 9 and Peter and the Wolf on May 15. Additional family programming will be announced in the future. See below for current Digital Concert listings through June 2021.
The DSO will also continue to present CUBE | Digital performances streamed from the Peter D. and Julie F. Cummings Cube and Orchestra Hall in the Max. M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center. The Cube is Midtown Detroit’s hub for Curated, Urban, Boundless Experiences, presenting eclectic, multi-genre performances and events. Upcoming highlights include the Jazz From Detroit Virtual Winter Festival hosted by Mark Stryker featuring performances by Marcus Elliot & Michael Malis Duo, Robert Hurst III and Black Current Jam, Charles McPherson, and more on February 27.
The DSO has kept the music playing in 2020 with over 16,000 views of DSO Digital Concerts since September. Through innovations such as a comprehensive testing partnership with Henry Ford Health System and now an extended stage in Orchestra Hall, the DSO can safely continue to present live music every week during the 2020-2021 concert season. DSO Digital Concerts have been acclaimed in the national press, with The New Yorker saying, “The DSO leads the pack in presenting concerts online,” and “… Detroit is dominating American musical life at the moment…” and The New York Times saying, “Take your pick among the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s well-balanced programs … there’s not an uninteresting concert in sight.”
In the future, a limited number of tickets may be available for in-person attendance for concerts at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in accordance with State of Michigan public health and safety guidelines. When it is safe to welcome back limited audiences, subscribers and donors will receive priority access to reserve these tickets.
The DSO Classical Series is generously sponsored by PVS Chemicals, Inc. The title sponsor of the DSO’s PNC Pops Series is PNC Bank. The Young People’s Family Concert Seriesis sponsored by Sun Communities. The Paradise Jazz Series is made possible with support from TCF Bank and MGM Grand Detroit.
Visit dso.org/digitalconcerts in the coming weeks for more information.
About the DSO
The most accessible orchestra on the planet, the acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra is known for trailblazing performances, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and a deep connection to its city. As a community-supported orchestra, generous giving by individuals and institutions at all levels drives the continued success and growth of the organization. In January 2020, Italian conductor Jader Bignamini was named the DSO’s next music director to commence with the 2020-2021 season. Conductor Leonard Slatkin, who concluded a decade-long tenure at the helm in 2018, now serves as the DSO’s Music Director Laureate, endowed by the Kresge Foundation. Celebrated conductor, arranger, and trumpeter Jeff Tyzik is the orchestra’s Principal Pops Conductor, while the outstanding trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard holds the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Jazz Creative Director Chair. Making its home at historic Orchestra Hall within the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center, the DSO offers a performance schedule that features Classical, PNC Pops, Paradise Jazz, and Young People’s Family Concert series. One of the world’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, Orchestra Hall celebrates its centennial in 2019-2020. In addition, the DSO presents the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series in seven metro area venues, as well as a robust schedule of eclectic multi-genre performances in its mid-size venue The Cube, constructed and curated with support from Peter D. & Julie F. Cummings. A dedication to broadcast innovation began in 1922, when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a radio broadcast and continues today with the free Live from Orchestra Hall webcast series, which also reaches tens of thousands of children with the Classroom Edition expansion. With growing attendance and unwavering philanthropic support from the people of Detroit, the DSO actively pursues a mission to embrace and inspire individuals, families, and communities through unsurpassed musical experiences.
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Winter/Spring 2021 DSO Digital Concerts
Classical, PNC Pops, Paradise Jazz, CUBE | Digital, and Young People’s Family Concert Series
All events take place at 7:30 p.m. at Orchestra Hall unless otherwise noted
Additional programming will be announced in the future as it is confirmed.
PNC POPS 5
Friday, January 8
ROCK ‘N RADIO
Stuart Chafetz, conductor
Scott Coulter, vocalist
Jessica Hendy, vocalist
John Boswell, pianist/vocalist
From timeless classics to contemporary favorites, join the DSO on a journey across the airwaves for some of radio’s greatest hits!
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YOUNG PEOPLE’S FAMILY CONCERT
Saturday, January 9 at 11:00 a.m.
FAMILY FILM FAVORITES!
Stuart Chafetz, conductor
Scott Coulter, vocalist
Jessica Hendy, vocalist
John Boswell, pianist/vocalist
Lions and superheroes and mermaids, oh my! Discover how music brings beloved characters from the stage and screen to life!
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CLASSICAL 11
Eduardo Strausser, conductor
Eric Lu, piano (Thursday only)
Program A (Thursday, January 14)
MOZART PIANO CONCERTO NO. 20
HAYDN Overture to L’isola disabitata
MOZART Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466
Program B (Friday, January 15)
THE FIRST ROMANTICS
MENDELSSOHN Sinfonia No. 10 in B minor for String Orchestra
MÉHUL Symphony No. 1 in G minor
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CLASSICAL 12
Dmitry Sinkovsky, conductor/violin/countertenor
Program A (Thursday, January 21)
VIVALDI & HANDEL
HANDEL Music for the Royal Fireworks, HWV 351
VIVALDI Concerto con multi strumenti in D major, RV 562a, “per la Solennità di San Lorenzo”
HANDEL “Qual nave smarrita” from Radamisto, HWV 12
HANDEL “Furibondo spira il vento” from Partenope, HWV 27
Program B (Friday, January 22)
BEETHOVEN’S 2ND ROMANCE
BEETHOVEN Romance in F major, Op. 78, No 2
MOZART Symphony No. 38 in D major, K. 504, "Prague"
HANDEL “Dove sei” from Rodelinda¸ HWV 19
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CLASSICAL 13
Hannu Lintu, conductor
Program A (Thursday, February 4)
SCHUBERT’S FIRST SYMPHONY
SCHUBERT Symphony No. 1 in D major, D. 82
Program B (Friday, February 5)
Program to include:
SEBASTIAN FAGERLUND Partita for string orchestra and percussion (U.S. premiere)
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CLASSICAL 14
John Storgårds, conductor
Eric Nowlin, viola (Saturday only)
James VanValkenburg, viola (Saturday only)
Program A (Thursday, February 11)
PROKOFIEV’S CLASSICAL SYMPHONY
MAGNUS LINDBERG Souvenir
PROKOFIEV Symphony No. 1 in D major, Op. 25, “Classical”
Program B (Saturday, February 13)
BRANDENBURG NO. 6
ANNA CLYNE Stride
BACH Brandenburg Concerto No. 6, BWV 1051
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CLASSICAL 15
James Ehnes, conductor/violin
Program A (Thursday, February 18)
THE LARK ASCENDING
VAUGHN WILLIAMS The Lark Ascending
SIBELIUS Suite for Violin and String Orchestra, Op. 117
BACH Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041
Program B (Friday, February 19)
EHNES: BRAHMS FOR SIX
BRAHMS Sextet No. 2 in G major, Op. 36
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PNC POPS 6
Jeff Tyzik, conductor
Shayna Steele, vocalist
Program A (Thursday, February 25)
NOTHIN’ BUT THE BLUES PART I
Program B (Friday, February 26)
NOTHIN’ BUT THE BLUES PART II
The Blues is at the heart and soul of nearly every form of music in the past 100 years. Featuring the stunning vocals of Shayna Steele, join the DSO in a tribute to musical legends including Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Ma Rainey, Louis Armstrong and more.
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CUBE | Digital
Jazz From Detroit Virtual Winter Festival (Saturday, February 27)
Hosted by Mark Stryker, this concert features performances by Marcus Elliot & Michael Malis Duo,Robert Hurst III and Black Current Jam, Charles McPherson, and more.
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PARADISE JAZZ SERIES / CLASSICAL 16
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet
Wynton Marsalis, trumpet
William Eddins, conductor (Saturday only)
Program A (Friday, March 5)
JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA SEPTET WITH WYNTON MARSALIS (Paradise Jazz Series)
*Please note: The DSO does not appear on this program.
Program B (Saturday, March 6)
CLASSICAL ROOTS
WYNTON MARSALIS Meeelaan
STRAVINSKY Ebony Concerto for Clarinet and Jazz Band
BERNSTEIN Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs
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CLASSICAL 17
Domingo Hindoyan, conductor
Baiba Skride, violin (Friday only)
Program A (Thursday, March 11)
MOZART’S JUPITER
ROBERTO SIERRA Sinfonietta for String Orchestra (world premiere)
MOZART Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551, “Jupiter”
Program B (Friday, March 12)
THE SUM OF OUR PARTS
TANIA LEÓN Indigena
MOZART Violin Concerto No. 1 in B-flat major, K. 207
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CLASSICAL 18
Kahchun Wong, conductor
Kimberley Kaloyanides Kennedy, violin (Thursday only)
Program A (Thursday, March 18)
MOZART’S SECOND VIOLIN CONCERTO
Program to include:
MOZART Violin Concerto No. 2 in D major, K. 211
Program B (Friday, March 19)
Program to be announced
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PNC POPS 7
Andy Einhorn, conductor
Andrea Ross & Ryan Vona, vocalists
Program A (Friday, March 26)
BROADWAY THEN AND NOW – PART I (“THEN”)
Program B (Saturday, March 27)
BROADWAY THEN AND NOW – PART II (“NOW”)
*Please note: The DSO does not appear on this program.
For over a century, Broadway has been the place to be for the latest showstoppers and hit musicals. Hear the best of Broadway’s “then” and “now” in this two-part musical journey from the Golden age through today!
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CLASSICAL 19
Asher Fisch, conductor
Louis Lortie, piano (Friday only)
Program A (Thursday, April 8)
CLOUDSCAPES
LACHLAN SKIPWORTH Avem Asperitas
GINASTERA Variaciones concertantes
Program B (Friday, April 9)
LORTIE PLAYS SCHUMANN
ROSSINI Overture to La scala di seta
SCHUMANN Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
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CLASSICAL 20
Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Program A (Thursday, April 15)
SLATKIN RETURNS
STILL/arr. Slatkin Little Folk Suites
GINASTERA Concerto for Strings
Program B (Friday, April 16)
AMAZING GRACE
FINZI Prelude for String Orchestra
JENNIFER HIGDON Amazing Grace
BLOCH Concerto Grosso No. 1 for String Orchestra and Piano obbligato
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CLASSICAL 21
James Conlon, conductor
Program A (Thursday, April 22)
SAINT-GEORGES’ SECOND
CHEVALIER DE SAINT-GEORGES Symphony No. 2 (Overture to The Anonymous Lover)
MOZART Symphony No. 36 in C major, K. 425, “Linz”
Program B (Friday, April 23)
SHOSTAKOVICH’S CHAMBER SYMPHONY
Program to include:
SHOSTAKOVICH (ARR. BARSHAI) Chamber Symphony in C minor, Op. 110a
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CLASSICAL 22
Shai Wosner, piano (Thursday only)
DSO Musicians
Program A (Thursday, April 29)
DSO CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
DVOŘÁK/ARR. WOSNER Legends, Op. 59, Nos. 1-3 for Piano, Clarinet, and Viola
DVOŘÁK Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81
Program B (Saturday, May 1)
DSO CHAMBER WINDS
Program to be announced
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CLASSICAL 23
Jader Bignamini, conductor
Midori, violin (Saturday only)
Program A (Friday, May 7)
JADER: HAYDN’S LONDON SYMPHONY
SCHUBERT Overture in the Italian Style, D. 590
HAYDN Symphony No. 104 in D major, Hob.I:104, “London”
Program B (Saturday, May 8)
JADER & MIDORI
VERONIKA KRAUSAS (world premiere)
MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
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PNC POPS 8 (Thursday, May 13)
Program to be announced
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YOUNG PEOPLE’S FAMILY CONCERT
Robert Franz, conductor
PETER & THE WOLF (Saturday, May 15 at 11 a.m.)
Join the DSO on a musical adventure with Peter and his animal friends in Prokofiev’s timeless classic, Peter and the Wolf.
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CLASSICAL 24
Jader Bignamini, conductor
Orli Shaham, piano (Friday only)
Program A (Thursday, May 20)
JADER CONDUCTS MENDELSSOHN
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56, "Scottish”
Program B (Friday, May 21)
BEETHOVEN AND DBR
DANIEL BERNARD ROUMAIN i am a white person who ____ Black people
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 19
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CLASSICAL 25
Kent Nagano, conductor
Till Fellner, piano (Friday only)
Program A (Thursday, June 3)
NAGANO CONDUCTS SCHUBERT
TOSHIO HOSOKAWA Percussion Intermezzo from Stilles Meer
SCHUBERT Symphony No. 5 in B-flat major, D. 485
Program B (Friday, June 4)
MOZART’S PIANO CONCERTO NO. 25
Program to include:
MOZART Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K. 503
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PNC POPS 9
Jeff Tyzik, conductor
Byron Stripling, trumpet and vocals
Program A (Thursday, June 10)
RAGTIME KINGS – PART I
Program B (Friday, June 11)
RAGTIME KINGS – PART II
Audience favorite Byron Stripling joins Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik in a “tour de force” program showcasing the music of George Gershwin, ragtime masters Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton, and more!