- Guest conductors and artists include Steven Reineke, Donald Runnicles, Jeff Tyzik, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Tony DeSare, and Jacquelyn Stucker
Detroit, (September 29, 2020) – This October, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) continues its new series of DSO Digital Concerts with Classical, PNC Pops, Family, and chamber music performances streamed live from the Orchestra Hall stage.
First up: James Feddeck steps in for Leonard Slatkin on October 1 to conduct “a little night music” with serenades by Penderecki and Mozart. The next evening, acclaimed pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet returns to Detroit for a performance with DSO musicians of César Franck’s Piano Quintet in F Minor.
This month brings landmark virtual performances as the DSO livestreams its PNC Pops programming for the first time. On October 8, the PNC Pops Series kicks off with Steven Reineke conducting the DSO and triple-threat singer / pianist / songwriter Tony DeSare in a tribute to Frank Sinatra. DeSare returns on Friday with his trio to bring his popular song diaries to life, featuring music of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Bill Withers, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and more.
The next week, on October 15 and 16, DSO musicians take the stage to perform a variety of chamber works, beginning with Beethoven’s Septet on Thursday and works for low brass and percussion duo on Friday.
The Classical Series continues on October 22 with a program of music by Britten and Carlos Simon conducted by famed Scottish conductor Donald Runnicles. The following night, soprano Jacquelyn Stucker joins Runnicles for Strauss’s Four Last Songs.
October 29 and 30 bring the return of DSO Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik to lead the DSO and acrobatic Troupe Vertigo for Cirque Carnaval—a breathtaking experience featuring dizzying aerial acts, acrobatic perfection, contortionism, object manipulation (juggling), and more.
The month wraps up with spirited fun for the whole family. On October 31, tune in for a virtual Halloween Spooktacular featuring a special appearance by Troupe Vertigo and an online costume contest.
All DSO Digital Concert performances will be live streamed from Orchestra Hall without audiences in attendance and are innovatively programmed with health and safety considerations of performers in mind. Subscribers and select donors receive access to all DSO Digital Concerts, with individual tickets available for purchase. Concerts can be viewed exclusively on dso.org via computer, mobile device, or smart TV.
Click here to view a full list of performances.
The DSO Classical Series is generously sponsored by PVS Chemicals, Inc. The title sponsor of the DSO’s PNC Pops Series is PNC Bank. Young People’s Family Concerts Series is sponsored by Sun Communities.
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CLASSICAL 4
James Feddeck, conductor [Thursday only]
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano [Friday only]
Program A (Thursday, October 1)
A PAIR OF SERENADES
ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK: Baroque Suite
PURCELL (arr. BRITTEN): Chacony in G minor
PENDERECKI: Serenade for String Orchestra
MOZART: Serenade No. 6 in D major for Two Small Orchestras, K. 239, “Serenatta notturna”
James Feddeck steps in for Leonard Slatkin to conduct “a little night music” in a pair of serenades. One to pay tribute to composer Krzysztof Penderecki, who passed earlier this year, along with Mozart’s Serenade No. 6, known as the “Serenata notturna.” Note: Leonard Slatkin is unable to appear as previously announced, and the DSO thanks James Feddeck for stepping in on short notice to conduct this concert.
Program B (Friday, October 2)
THIBAUDET RETURNS
FRANCK: Piano Quintet in F minor
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, hailed as “one of the best pianists in the world” and favorite of DSO audiences, returns to Orchestra Hall to join DSO musicians for a special performance of César Franck’s Piano Quintet in F Minor.
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PNC POPS 1
Steven Reineke, conductor [Thursday only]
Tony DeSare, piano & vocals
Ed Decker, guitar
Dylan Shamat, bass
Michael Klopp, drums
Program A (Thursday, October 8)
SINATRA & BEYOND
Called “two parts Frank Sinatra and one-part Billy Joel,” triple-threat singer / pianist / songwriter Tony DeSare takes on the legend of Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. From jazz clubs to Carnegie Hall to headlining with major symphony orchestras, Tony DeSare joins the DSO for a fresh take on old school class in an outstanding, critically-acclaimed tribute to the great Frank Sinatra.
Program B (Friday, October 9)
TONY DESARE’S SONG DIARIES LIVE
Tony DeSare's popular daily song diaries on YouTube and Facebook draw upon his expansive catalogue of Sinatra standards, pop favorites, piano blockbusters and heartfelt originals. This new show featuring Tony and his trio will take you on a journey of music spanning the likes of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Bill Withers, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and more. *The DSO does not appear on this program.
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CLASSICAL 5
Program A (Thursday, October 15)
BEETHOVEN FOR SEVEN
BEETHOVEN: Septet in E-flat major, Op. 20
Beethoven’s Septet for winds and strings, written just a few years before the First Symphony, was his most acclaimed work during his lifetime. In this chamber music performance by DSO musicians, hear how Beethoven’s music was evolving from its Classical-era roots to the vast and emotional Romanticism that would define the later works we know and love.
Program B (Friday, October 16)
DSO CHAMBER ENSEMBLES
KEVIN DAY: Ignition
ALLEN CHASE: Two Waltzes
BACH/ARR. SAUER: Sinfonia No. 5 in E-flat major, BWV 791
ILJA REIJNGOUD: The River Knows It All
TOMASI:Être, ou ne pas être (To Be, or Not To Be)
A DSO low brass quartet (Kenneth Thompkins, Principal Trombone; David Binder, Trombone; Ilan Morgenstern, Acting Bass Trombone; and Dennis Nulty, Principal Tuba) plays a variety of works, and Joseph Becker (Principal Percussion) and Andrés Pichardo-Rosenthal (Assistant Principal Percussion) offer up music for duo percussion to be announced.
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CLASSICAL 6
Donald Runnicles, conductor
Jacquelyn Stucker, soprano [Friday only]
Program A (Thursday, October 22)
RUNNICLES CONDUCTS BRITTEN
CARLOS SIMON: An Elegy: A Cry from the Grave
BRITTEN: Variations for String Orchestra on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op. 10
Famed Scottish conductor Donald Runnicles leads the DSO in a program including Britten’s tribute to his teacher that brought him international attention, and Carlos Simon’s An Elegy: Cry From The Grave, a haunting dedication to those murdered by oppressive powers.
Program B (Friday, October 23)
STRAUSS: FOUR LAST SONGS
ELGAR: Introduction & Allegro for String Quartet and String Orchestra, Op. 47
R. STRAUSS (arr. LEDGER): Four Last Songs (Jacquelyn Stucker, soprano)
Reflecting on a life and career spanning over 80 years, Richard Strauss wove themes of serenity and the fulfillment of one’s soul into his Four Last Songs. Soprano Jacquelyn Stucker, hailed as “glowing” and “incandescent,” brings these songs to life in Orchestra Hall.
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PNC POPS 2
Jeff Tyzik, conductor
Troupe Vertigo
Program A (Thursday, October 29)
CIRQUE CARNAVAL - PART I
Drawing on classical favorites and circus artistry, Troupe Vertigo leads us on a breathtaking experience featuring dizzying aerial acts, acrobatic perfection, contortionism, object manipulation (juggling), and more. They will lift your spirit and leave you in awe.
Program B (Friday, October 30)
CIRQUE CARNAVAL - PART II
Drawing on fiery Latin melodies and circus artistry, Troupe Vertigo leads us on a breathtaking experience featuring dizzying aerial acts, acrobatic perfection, contortionism, object manipulation (juggling), and more. They will lift your spirit and leave you in awe.
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YOUNG PEOPLE’S FAMILY CONCERT – DIGITAL BONUS
Saturday, October 31 at 11:00 a.m.
Jeff Tyzik, conductor
Troupe Vertigo
HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR
Join the DSO and the amazing acrobats of Troupe Vertigo for symphonic tricks, treats, and spooky surprises as we kick off another exciting season of Family programming. Our annual costume contest will continue online and is sure to get you in the Halloween spirit—it’s fun for the whole family!
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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 celebrated its centennial in 2019-2020. In addition, the DSO presents the William Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series in eight 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.