Saturday, 21 November 2009 at 8:00 p.m.

Key Performers:

Mei-Ann Chen, guest conductor
Julie Albers, cello


Program:

J. ADAMS The Chairman Dances: Foxtrot for Orchestra
DVO?ÁK Cello Concerto
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 5

Dvorak’s Cello Concerto presents grandeur in a dramatic, brooding vein. Passionate, melancholy, and nostalgically beautiful, it is the most recorded, most frequently performed concerto for the instrument.

But there is no piece of classical repertoire better known and loved than Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. It stands as a pillar of the genre, the epitome of the great classical work. Motivically water-tight, it takes one motive, the “fate” motive and creates a work of driving force, passion and spirit.

John Adams, one of America’s most admired and popular composers, picks up the legacy of his predecessors and gives it an American flavor. His spirited “Foxtrot for Orchestra” begins the program with exuberance and grandeur, eliciting images of elegant society enjoying a grand celebration.

Music Director Candidate Mei-Ann Chen, guest conductor
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7:30 p.m. All seats reserved. NOW ON SALE at all Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone, call (800)745-3000.

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When & Where:

Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
Key Performers:

Alastair Willis, guest conductor
Lisa Vroman, vocalist

Memphis Symphony Chorus and the University Singers, Dr. Lawrence Edwards, artistic director

The Memphis tradition continues with a concert featuring the Memphis Symphony Chorus and Music Director Candidate Alastair Willis.
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Friday, December 11, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
Key Performers:

James Feddeck, conductor
Sharla Nafziger, soprano
Barbara Rearick, mezzo-soprano
Randal Rushing, tenor
Sidney Outlaw, baritone
Gary Beard Chorale, Gary Beard, artistic director
Independent Presbyterian Church Choir, James Brown, artistic director
Program:

HANDEL Messiah

Handel’s Messiah was originally conceived as a fundraising vehicle for London orphanages. Memphis-based Orphanos Foundationcontinues this legacy with its annual benefit performance at the Cannon Center. Memphis has a strong choral tradition through its churches, and the Memphis Symphony is pleased to partner with three exemplars in this large-scale work for chamber orchestra, chorus, and soloists.

To learn more about this concert and the work of the Orphanos Foundation, visit their website at http://orphanos.org

Single tickets are available through TicketMaster.

Presented by Orphanos Foundation
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8:00 p.m. Tickets: $71, $61, $55.50 & $46.50. All seats reserved. NOW ON SALE at all Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com . To charge by phone, call (800)745-3000.

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8:00 p.m. Tickets: $51 & $41. All seats reserved. NOW ON SALE at all Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com . To charge by phone, call (800)745-3000.

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Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 8 p.m.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts

Key Performers:

Steven Reineke, guest conductor
Terry Mike Jeffery and Band

Elvis returns to the Cannon Center to celebrate his landmark 75th birthday in style with Terry Mike Jeffery and his band. The program features not only the best-loved tunes but also some tunes from Elvis’s movies, newly arranged by Terry Mike Jeffery.
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Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 8 p.m.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
Key Performers:

Robert Moody, conductor
Karen Gomyo, violin
Program:

CHRISTOPHER THEOFANIDIS Rainbow Body
SIBELIUS Violin Concerto
MOZART Symphony No. 35 “Haffner”
STRAUSS Suite from Der Rosenkavalier

Robert Moody takes his audience on a musical tour in this concert of audience favorites.
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7:00 p.m. Tickets: $45 & $35. All seats reserved. NOW ON SALE at all Ticketmaster outlets or online at www.ticketmaster.com . To charge by phone, call (800)745-3000.

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Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 8 p.m.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
Key Performers:

Thomas Wilkins, guest conductor
Kirill Gerstein, piano
Program:

CHABRIER Le Roi Malgre Lui: Fete Polonaise
DVORAK Symphony No. 8
RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 2

Rachmaninoff’s second piano concerto stands as one of THE great concertos in the repertoire. A tour-de-force for any pianist, it epitomizes the image of the brooding, melancholy artist bringing forth a work of sublime beauty. From its opening bell-like tolls, it rises to the hights of passion with soul-bestirring romance.

Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 evokes images of an idyllic, if barren, countryside awakening into spring. Using Bohemian folk songs, Dvorak showcases the colors of the orchestra as they evoke the colors of nature, from the bird-calls of the flute to the heaven-storming grandeur of the brass.

Music Director Candidate Thomas Wilkins
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Mozart Requiem
Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 8 p.m.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
Key Performers:

David Loebel, conductor
Kelley Nassief, soprano
Mary Phillips, mezzo-soprano
Randal Rushing, tenor
Andrew Wentzel, baritone
Memphis Symphony Chorus, Dr. Lawrence Edwards, director
Central High School Concert Singers, Gaylon Robinson, director
Program:

MOZART Requiem

Mozart’s Requiem is perhaps one of the most famous works in the classical cannon, not only for its emotional force, but also for the mystery that shrouds its composition. Secretly commissioned to be passed off as someone else’s work, it was secretly completed by Mozart’s student to secure the final payment upon the composer’s death. The exquisite Central High School Concert Singers join the Memphis Symphony Chorus and a roster of top-shelf soloists for a performance of the Requiem.

This Requiem is being offered in memory of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose life was cut short on April 4, 1968.
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Kings & Queens of Soul: A Tribute
Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 8 p.m.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
Key Performers:

Steven Reineke, guest conductor

Ellis Hall, piano and vocals

Joyce Cobb, Susan Marshall, Reba Russell, vocals

The Beale Street Divas join the Memphis Symphony in a tribute to the lady legends of soul music. Ellis Hall - a protege of Ray Charles - pays homage to the great soul men for a symphonic Pops series celebration of the music we all know and love.
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Beethoven's Eroica
Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 8 p.m.
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
Key Performers:

David Loebel, conductor
Program:

BEETHOVEN “Egmont” Overture
BEETHOVEN Overture to “Creatures of Prometheus”
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 3 in E Flat Major “Eroica”

David Loebel bids a final ‘adieu’ to the city of Memphis as he conducts and all-Beethoven encore with the Memphis Symphony.
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