The idea of something for everybody has become a cliche in arts programming, but with everything from Mahler symphonies to the music of “Star Trek,” the Colorado Symphony is striving for just such ubiquitous appeal with its 2008-09 schedule.
The symphony will present 21 classical programs — most performed three times each — as part of its Masterworks series and 15 highly varied pops offerings, almost exactly the same number as in the current season.
Highlighting the Masterworks lineup will be the launch of a multiyear intiative to present all the major symphonic works of Gustav Mahler, one of the towering post-romantic composers.
This season will feature Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, “Titan” (Sept. 19-21) and Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection,” (June 5-7, 2009), with principal guest conductor Douglas Boyd leading Mahler’s vocal masterwork, “Das Lied von der Erde” (Jan. 30-31, 2009).
“The Mahler symphonies and the song cycles tell a story,” said music director Jeffrey Kahane. “I often like to say that it’s the world’s greatest and biggest autobiography. Giving the audience a chance to absorb the enormity of his achievement and giving the orchestra the chance to have a sense of completion is a very special thing.”
To mark the 25th anniversary of the symphony’s chorus, the ensemble will join the symphony for performances of several landmark choral works, including Giuseppe Verdi’s towering Requiem (April 3-5, 2009).
Kahane said he has wanted to perform the piece since his appointment but only if a suitable group of vocal soloists could be assembled, something he believes the orchestra has accomplished.
Among the other 2008-09 soloists, Kahane is especially excited about the appearance of famed soprano Dawn Upshaw (Sept. 12-14), who opens the season with a mulifaceted program, and fast-rising pianist Jonathan Biss (Sept. 19-21).
“Jonathan Biss, for my money, is one of the truly great young pianists in the world today,” Kahane said. “I think of him of being tradition of Schnabel, Serkin and Leon Fleisher. That’s the kind of musician he is.”
Programmed contemporary works include “Azul” (Jan. 16-17, 2009), a work for cello and orchestra by Osvaldo Golijov, among the most sought-after composers in the world. Serving as soloist will be cellist Alisa Weilerstein.
“The Golijov cello concerto is really one of the four or five most thrilling new works that I’ve come across in the last 10 years,” Kahane said.
As it did last year, the symphony will present several rock-themed pops programs, including ones devoted to the music of the Eagles (Oct. 10), Three Dog Night (Jan. 3, 2009) and Elton John (May 2, 2009).
“We’re staying with the rock ‘n’ roll sort of symphonic presentation, because there is clearly an appetite out there for those kinds of programs,” said Doug Adams, the orchestra’s president and chief executive officer.
A new emphasis in 2008-09 will be a miniseries titled “CSO Goes to the Movies,” which will be highlighted by three concerts (Jan. 9-10, 2009) combining a screening of “The Wizard of Oz” with a live performance of the famed soundtrack.
“We saw that the audience reaction to the ‘Bugs on Broadway’ show this year was very strong, and so we wanted to do something to address that audience desire again,” Adams said.
Noted pops conductor Erich Kunzel will lead a program Nov. 1 with music from the various iterations of “Star Trek.” On hand will be two stars from the series, — John de Lancie (“Q” ) and Robert Picardo (“The Doctor”).
Other pops programs will feature Broadway singer Bernadette Peters (Sept. 26), pop pianist and composer Burt Bacharach (Sept. 27), jazz trumpeter Christ Botti (Feb. 13, 2009), Broadway composer and pianist Marvin Hamlisch (Feb. 21, 2009) and the famed comedy duo the Smothers Brothers (March 14, 2009).
Season tickets go on sale today. Single tickets will be available Aug. 1. Call 303-623-7876 or visit .
Kyle MacMillan: 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost .
