2016/17 Classical Concerts at Popejoy Hall
Friday, September 16, 2016, 7:30 p.m., Popejoy Hall
Choral Spectacular: Carmina Burana! Fundraising Special
Roger Melone conductor
New Mexico Symphonic Chorus
Amy Owens soprano
Sam Shepperson tenor
Hugh Russell baritone
Orff: Carmina Burana
The New Mexico Symphonic Chorus joins your NMPhil for Orff’s choral tour de force: Carmina Burana! Powerful, inspirational, and enthralling – with a worldwide following spanning seven decades. Heard in films including Excalibur, Natural Born Killers, The Matrix Revolutions, and many more! Experience the unparalleled power and passion of one of the greatest works in the choral repertoire. O Fortuna!
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Saturday, November 12, 2016, 6 p.m., Popejoy Hall
Russian Titans: Prokofiev & Tchaikovsky
Rune Bergmann conductor
Jennifer Frautschi violin
Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2 in g minor, Op. 63
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in e minor, Op. 64
Acclaimed violinist Jennifer Frautschi returns to New Mexico for Prokofiev’s lyrical, sweet, and soaring Violin Concerto No. 2. The Austin Chronicle said “Frautschi conjured a character of immense complexity and contradictions, an Anna Karenina of the strings.” Compelling Norwegian conductor Rune Bergmann is also back for this marvelous night of Russian masterworks, including Tchaikovsky’s adored, intense, and joyous Symphony No. 5.
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Saturday, November 19, 2016, 6 p.m., Popejoy Hall
Stars of the Future: Olga Kern International Piano Competition Finals
Vladimir Kern conductor
Soloists TBD
Concerti TBD
Conceived by Ms. Kern, the Olga Kern International Piano Competition will seek to develop international careers through a competition that is recognized globally for its value and excellence. The winner will be awarded a significant cash prize, along with concert engagements throughout the US and Europe. You can vote for the popular prize! Experience the inaugural event’s three finalists in performance with the New Mexico Philharmonic!
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Saturday, November 26, 2016, 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 27, 2016, 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 3, 2016, 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 4, 2016, 2:00 p.m.
Popejoy Hall
The Nutcracker Ballet
David Felberg conductor
New Mexico Ballet Company
New Mexico’s largest, most lavish, authentic Nutcracker Ballet starts Thanksgiving weekend. Featuring New York City Ballet stars!
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Saturday, December 10, 2016, 6 p.m., Popejoy Hall
Beethoven: Eroica
Marcelo Lehninger conductor
Douglas Cardwell timpani
Ingela Onstad soprano
Villa-Lobos: Bachianas brasileiras No. 5
Fischer: Symphony with Eight Obbligato Timpani
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in Eb Major, Op. 55, “Eroica”
We begin with Villa-Lobos’s haunting and sensuous Bachianas brasileiras No. 5 and continue with Fischer’s beautiful and unexpectedly melodic Symphony with Eight Obbligato Timpani, featuring our Principal Timpanist Douglas Cardwell. While Beethoven’s “Eroica” marked the end of the classical era and began the romantic period, his 3rd Symphony did something even more important for us – celebrating the ideals of liberty, equality, and brotherhood. Brilliant Brazilian-born Marcelo Lehninger conducts.
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December 16, 2016, 7:30 pm, Popejoy Hall
The New Mexico Symphonic Chorus with the New Mexico Philharmonic present: The Messiah
Roger Melone conductor
Experience Handel’s Messiah at Popejoy Hall with Maestro Roger Melone conducting the New Mexico Philharmonic and renowned soloists from his seat at the harpsichord.
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Saturday, January 28, 2017, 6 p.m., Popejoy Hall
Three Times Mozart!
Oriol Sans conductor
Sarah Tasker violin
Kimberly Fredenburgh viola
Mozart: Overture to The Impresario
Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola, and Orchestra in Eb Major, K. 364
Mozart: Symphony No. 39 in Eb Major, K. 543
By popular demand, we present another stunning night of three magnificent Mozart masterworks! Speaking of stunning, the NMPhil’s own violinist Sarah Tasker and violist Kimberly Fredenburgh step out as soloists in Mozart’s extraordinary and enchanting Sinfonia Concertante! One of Mozart’s last trio of symphonies, No. 39 in E-flat Major, will dazzle you with its eloquence and energy. Native Spaniard Oriol Sans returns to lead a night of excitement behind the baton.
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Saturday, February 18, 2017, 6 p.m., Popejoy Hall
The Hammer
Grant Cooper conductor
Schubert: Symphony No. 8 in b minor, D. 759, “Unfinished”
Mahler: Symphony No. 6 in a minor, “Tragic”
It has never been discovered exactly why Schubert abandoned work on his Symphony No. 8 in b minor – what is now called his “Unfinished” Symphony. It was at first simply “unremembered.” Now, we can all appreciate it for the miracle that it is. Mahler’s “Tragic” 6th Symphony is full of melody, conflict, and contrast – with the unmistakable hammer blows of fate in the unforgettable finale. Maestro Grant Cooper conducts.
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Saturday, March 25, 2017, 6 p.m., Popejoy Hall
Olga Fantastique!
Fawzi Haimor conductor
Olga Kern piano
Bates: Mothership
Concerto TBD, pending the Olga Kern International Piano Competition performance on November 19, 2016.
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique
The New Mexico Philharmonic proudly welcomes two artists who truly put the “class” in classical music: recent resident conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony – rising star Fawzi Haimor – and Russian superstar pianist Olga Kern! Savor Ms. Kern’s performance of the winning concerto from the inaugural Olga Kern International Piano Competition. The NMPhil also plays the graceful, beautiful, and groundbreaking Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz.
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Saturday, April 8, 2017, 6 p.m., Popejoy Hall
The Wizard of Oz Ballet
David Felberg conductor
New Mexico Ballet Company
The New Mexico Ballet Company joins the NMPhil for a colorful, fully staged production of L. Frank Baum’s cherished story of Dorothy’s journey to the Emerald City! Along the yellow brick road she encounters amazing characters—and finds that quick wits, compassion, courage—and just a touch of magic—are inside of us all. It’s a wondrous night of enchanting music and dance! David Felberg conducts.
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Saturday, April 22, 2017, 6 p.m., Popejoy Hall
Koh Plays Brahms
Roberto Minczuk conductor
Jennifer Koh violin
Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in e minor, Op. 95, “From the New World”
If there’s one sizzling-hot violinist tearing up the classical music scene right now – it’s Chicago native Jennifer Koh. She’s appeared with leading orchestras around the world, and at New Mexico’s own Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. See her virtuosic performance of the rhythmic, driving, and delectable Brahms Violin Concerto! Also, perhaps the greatest work to capture and convey the American spirit – Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony!