Photo by Dave Weiland
Upholding in the next season an unbroken record, Berkeley Symphony continues its tradition of championing new music, started during decades of Kent Nagano's direction, beginning in 1978, and now for the fifth year under Joana Carneiro. The orchestra's 2014-2015 will feature:
* World premieres by British composer Oscar Bettison (Sea Shaped) and homie Jake Heggie (a full-orchestra version of Camille Claudel: Into the Fire, with mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke)
* The mighty choruses from the opera of another "local composer," John Adams' Death of Klinghoffer
* The Bay Area premiere of Thomas Adès’ Asyla
Photo by Michael Strickland
Nine-time recipient of the ASCAP award for adventurous programming, Berkeley Symphony will also serve the classics imaginatively, pairing Klinghoffer with the Mozart Requiem; and adding to the Bettison premiere, the Sibelius Violin Concerto, with Jennifer Koh as soloist; also programming Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. Says Carneiro:
As we embark on another fresh and exciting season, I am constantly reminded of the rich connection that the orchestra experiences with Berkeley audiences. Exploring these musical pathways with a shared love and appreciation of diversity and intrigue pushes us to new heights. I am delighted to present a number of new works by some of the most established composers of our time, including two world premieres and a Bay Area premiere. We are also fortunate to be collaborating with a variety of solo artists and ensembles, expanding our family even further.
Furthering its dedication to contemporary music, Berkeley Symphony continues its Under Construction program in collaboration with Earshot, the national orchestral discovery network, administered by the American Composers Orchestra with partner organizations American Composers Forum, League of American Orchestras and New Music USA. Public readings of new symphonic works by the composers selected to participate in this program will take place on May 2-3, 2015 at Osher Studio in Berkeley.