When it comes to the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, a star soloist can make for as big an event as a full orchestra program. Luckily, Southern California audiences won’t have to choose with the organization’s 2022–2023 season. The lineup of 26 concerts, announced today, holds fast to the Philharmonic Society’s mission of presenting only the best in classical music.
This means some of the world’s leading orchestras will again be at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra open the season Oct. 11, one of a couple chances to maybe see the vaunted conductor on tour in California that month. (Gražinytė-Tyla’s schedule has been tricky to pin down in recent years.) No matter, Sheku Kanneh-Mason also joins the orchestra as soloist in Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto, his third appearance for the Philharmonic Society.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays a commemorative program under Riccardo Muti, in his last year as music director (Jan. 24, 2023). Violinist Daniel Hope visits with one of his many ensembles — in this case, the Zurich Chamber Orchestra (March 25, 2023). And the Los Angeles Philharmonic closes out the season, reprising concerts that begin earlier that week at Disney Hall with conductor Elim Chan (April 30, 2023).
Star power fuels the Philharmonic Society’s other series, from recitals to chamber ensembles to new music. The pianists — Daniil Trifonov, Seong-Jin Cho, Leif Ove Andsnes, Jean-Yves Thibaudet — take the stage alone, but so does Midori in a solo violin program (April 16, 2023). The venues here range from Segerstrom Hall to Soka Performing Arts Center to the Irvine Barclay Theatre.
The string quartets on the schedule cover the traditional and the contemporary. The Formosa Quartet has Mozart and Beethoven planned (April 11, 2023), and the Attacca Quartet goes all 21st century with works by Caroline Shaw (Nov. 6). The unconventional comes to the fore in a further set of concerts — the “Eclectic Orange” series — that feature some of classical music’s best-known experimenters, starting with Kronos Quartet (Oct. 21).
And of course, there are the traditions not to be missed. The Vienna Boys Choir sings a favorite holiday program (Nov. 19), and the Canadian Brass return in the seasonal spirit (Dec. 19).
For subscription tickets and the complete season schedule, visit the Philharmonic Society of Orange County’s website, or call (949) 553-2422.
