DSO Previews New Season
DETROIT (WWJ) - The Detroit Symphony Orchestra is tuning up for its 2011-2012 season, which will feature lower prices to try to bring patrons back to Orchestra Hall after a six month strike by DSO Musicians.
DSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin gave WWJ Newsradio 950 a preview of what we will see and hear next fall.
"There are innovative new works that will be presented. There's a kind of mini-festival of electronics and the orchestra where Sam Bolden's synthesized sounds as well as recordings are used. There will be a piece even that honors the Detroit techno scene by a young man named Mason Bates. There are choral works, we have great soloists and we are very much in our home at Orchestra Hall," Slatkin said.
Sltakin thinks people are anxious to get back in the seats at Orchestra Hall after the long layoff. But, he said the biggest challenge is attracting new patrons to the DSO.
"A lot of people missed the orchestra and we couldn't wait to get them back. And I don't think the challenge is so much winning them back. The bigger challenge now is reaching audiences that we have not targeted before. Getting a younger audience and people really energized about what we are doing," Slatkin said.
Part of their plan includes reducing single ticket prices by as much as 53 percent in some categories. Tickets range from $15 to $50, a significant reduction from the previous range of $19 to $71. Over half of all tickets will be available at $25 or less.
Balancing familiar and beloved core repertoire with a generous selection of new and under-performed works, the upcoming classical season continues to reflect the unique musical perspective of Slatkin, who has created a sparkling spectrum of great music, both new and familiar for DSO patrons.
The DSO pops season reflects a wide collection of classic and modern pops incorporating programs of Rodgers & Hammerstein, Gershwin and unique offerings including a special Sci-Fi program featuring George Takei of Star Trek, a Tribute to Elvis Presley and appearances by acclaimed trumpeter, Chris Botti and iconic vocalist, Neil Sedaka.
The DSO will increase its commitment to cultivate new audiences with its new neighborhood series featuring concert subscriptions in packages of four at venues throughout metro Detroit, such as the Seligman Performing Arts Center in Beverly Hills and the Dearborn's Ford Community and Performing Arts Center.
Among the many themes included on concert programs next season is one that pulls together several intriguing elements – film music, émigré composers and family connections. Titled "Hollywood Pictures," the concert will feature works by three of the most esteemed film score composers of the 20th century.
The new season will also see a continuation of a series of live recording projects, including Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 3 and Cindy McTee's Einstein's Dream.
For more information and the view the entire concert schedule, visit www.dso.org.
