NORTHE AS TERN PENN S YLVA NIA PHIL HA R MONIC
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LAWRENCE LOH, MUSIC DIRECTOR
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C e l e b r a t i n g our 44 t h Se a s on
Welcome!
Dear Friends of the Philarmonic,
It is with great pride that I present to you Latitude, Longitude, the 2015 - 2016
Season of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. We took a fresh, new
approach to planning this season, which features the very best of symphonic
literature from around the world. We have also made a commitment to
bringing the orchestra to new locations and audiences. Rest assured, however,
that although there is much new about this season, you can still expect the
same musical excellence from our outstanding orchestra!
Our incredible Masterworks series lineup will include works ranging from
Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story to the Greig Piano
Concerto in A Minor performed by a 2013 Van Cliburn contest winner Fei-Fei
Dong. Other highlights include Charles Griffes’ Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan,
Carl Neilson’s Helios Overture, the powerful Symphony No. 2 of Jean Sibelius
and an evening of Opera Overtures and Arias.
The Pops series has something for everyone! In October, trumpeter Byron
Stripling will be performing a tribute to jazz legend Louis Armstrong and in
February, The Mambo Kings will perform high-voltage Latin music. Our Holiday
Concert, Home for the Holidays, will feature guest artists who have roots in
Northeastern PA. They will return to the area for this special performance of
holiday favorites.
ORION WEISS, PIANIST
Rounding out the season will be the addition of a new concert, On Location!
This season we will take the orchestra to cathedrals that house two of the
finest symphonic organs in Northeastern PA. This will allow us to bring you
works for orchestra and organ, including the masterful Symphony No. 3 in C
Minor by Camille Saint Saëns.
It never ceases to amaze me that music has such a profound impact on
humanity. To quote Michael Stern, “We’re all hardwired for music from our
earliest days. It is communication distilled to its purest and most direct form.
And great symphonic music takes that most fundamental human expression to
an exalted level.”
We hope to take you to an exalted level this season with music that will inspire
and excite you. So set your coordinates, fasten your seatbelts and let Maestro
Lawrence Loh be your travel guide through this spectacular season of music!
Warm regards,
Nancy
Nancy Sanderson, Executive Director
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic
2015-16 EMERGING ARTIST, FEI-FEI DONG
DESTINATION NEW YORK CITY
SATURDAY l 8 PM
SEPTEMBER 19, 2015
M AS TE RWOR K S SER IES
Join us for the opening of our Philharmonic’s
44th season with an exuberant array of music
by American composers based in New York City.
From Michael Torke’s bright and bold new work,
to Georges Gershwin’s jazz-age masterpiece
performed by Orion Weiss, to one of the most
popular symphonic works of the incomparable
Leonard Bernstein, the evening starts the season
off with high energy and high audience appeal.
Michael Torke: Javelin
George Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F
with Orion Weiss, pianist
Charles Griffes: Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan
Leonard Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
DEPARTING WASHINGTON DC
FOR THE EUROPEAN CAPITALS
SATURDAY l 8 PM
NOVEMBER 14, 2015
The concert opens with Stravinsky’s Dumbarton
Oaks, a 12-minute masterpiece well known for its
freshness and rhythmical vitality. Next, Maureen
Strenge, the Philharmonic’s principal bassoonist,
will perform the Mozart Bassoon Concerto,
which showcases the instrument’s lyrical and
virtuosic qualities. Brahms’ youthful and romantic
Serenade No. 1 rounds out the program, with its
brimming spirit and gorgeous melodies.
Theater at Lackawanna College
LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN
SATURDAY l 8 PM
MARCH 5, 2016
Celebrating the music of Scandinavian composers,
the concert opens with a short yet majestic
piece by Danish composer Carl Nielsen. Helios
Overture follows the journey of the sun as it rises
triumphantly crosses the sky and then sets quietly
and peacefully in the west. Also on the program is
Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s beloved Piano
Concerto, performed by Chinese pianist Fei-Fei
Dong*, winner of the 2014 CAG Victor Elmaleh
Competition. This season’s NEPA Philharmonic
emerging artist of exceptional talent, Dong was
praised recently for her “natural musicality and
beauty of tone” (Cincinnati Enquirer) during the
2013 Van Cliburn Competition, where she was
one of the contest’s winners. Closing the concert
will be Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, a symphonic
masterpiece of bracing sweep and epic grandeur.
F.M. Kirby Center
40.7723° N I 73.9834° W
PROGRAM:
Read what the press has to say...
“The music was bright, bold, original and full of
optimism. Audiences loved it and found Torke to be
a genuine breath of fresh air.” - The Los Angeles Times
“When you’re named after one of the biggest
constellations in the night sky, the pressure is on to
display star power - and the pianist Orion Weiss did
exactly that!” - The Washington Post
With accolades like these, prepare to be impressed!
38.8957° N I 77.0559° W
PROGRAM:
Igor Stravinsky: Dumbarton Oaks
(concerto in E flat Major)
Wolfgang Mozart: Bassoon Concerto No. 1
in B-flat M, K. 191
Johannes Brahms: Serenade No. 1 in D Major
Kirby Center for Creative Arts
Wyoming Seminary
60.3912° N I 5.3220° E
MAUREEN STRENGE, BASSOONIST
*NEPA Philharmonic Emerging Artist
sponsored by the Henkelman Family
PROGRAM:
Carl Neilson: Helios Overture
Edvard Grieg: Piano Concerto in A Minor
with Van Cliburn winner, Fei-Fei Dong
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D Major
AN EVENING OF OPERA
OVERTURES AND ARIAS
FRIDAY l 8 PM
MAY 6, 2016
Let us take you to the steps of Italy’s most famous
opera house, La Scala! For over 235 years, the
magnificent theater has been filled with the
sounds of virtuoso singers, dazzling orchestras and
opera music that stirs the soul. For the 2015-2016
Season Finale, our orchestra will perform some of
the most beloved and gripping music ever offered
at La Scala. On the program will be popular arias,
overtures, dances and intermezzi of operatic
composers such as Verdi, Saint-Saëns, Gounod,
Puccini, Donizetti and Mascagni. Joining the
orchestra are rising stars of the operatic world,
soprano Meredith Lustig and tenor Scott Ramsay.
Together they will create a magical evening of pure
poetry and passion!
Scranton Cultural Center
MEREDITH LUSTIG, SOPRANO
45.4678° N I 9.1886° E
A PEEK INSIDE THE PROGRAM:
Verdi: La donna é mobile from Rigoletto (Ramsay)
Sempre libera from La Traviata (Duet)
Saint-Saëns: Bacchanale from Samson and Delilah
Puccini: Che gelida manino and Sί, mi chiamano Mimi
(Finale, Act 1, La Bohème) (Duet)
O mio babbino caro (Lustig)
Mascagni: Intermezzo from
Cavalleria Rusticana
Verdi: Brindisi from la Traviata (Duet)
SCOTT RAMSAY, TENOR
P N C P O P S P L U S SE R I E S
NEW ORLEANS: A TRIBUTE
TO LOUIS ARMSTRONG
FRIDAY l 8 PM
OCTOBER 16, 2015
Guest Artist: Byron Stripling
jazz trumpeter and singer
The Performing Arts Center at
Dallas High School
With a contagious smile and captivating charm,
trumpeter Byron Stripling has ignited audiences
worldwide. As soloist with the Boston Pops
Orchestra, Stripling has performed frequently
under the baton of Keith Lockhart, as well as being
a featured soloist on the PBS television special,
“Evening at Pops,” with conductors John Williams
and Mr. Lockhart. Television viewers have enjoyed
his work as soloist on the worldwide telecast of
The Grammy Awards. Millions have heard his
trumpet and voice on television commercials,
TV theme songs including “20/20,” CNN, and
soundtracks of favorite movies. An accomplished
actor and singer, Stripling was chosen, following
a world wide search, to star in the lead role of
the Broadway bound musical, “Satchmo.” Many
will remember his featured cameo performance
in the television movie, “The Young Indiana Jones
Chronicles,” and his critically acclaimed virtuoso
trumpet and riotous comedic performance in the
42nd Street production of From Second Avenue
to Broadway”. Don’t miss his signature Louis
Armstrong Tribute!
SATURDAY l 8 PM
OCTOBER 17, 2015
MUSIC FROM LATIN AMERICA
FRIDAY l 8 PM
FEBRUARY 12, 2016
Guest Artists: Mambo Kings
“If major-league arrangements of high-voltage
Latin music is your forte, you’ll definitely enjoy
Mambo Kings. They were hot, full of energy and
excitement!“ - Naples Daily News
The Mambo Kings Latin Pops Program takes
the audience on a fascinating journey through
the music of Latin America and the U.S. From
the sultry melancholy of Astor Piazzola and the
burning Afro Cuban jazz of Tito Puente, to the
rhythmic playfulness of jazz great Dave Brubeck
and the pop strains of The Beatles, Mambo Kings
will be your guide on a Latin jazz tour of the Pan
American experience, featuring original orchestral
arrangements and compositions of music from
the U.S., Perú, Argentina, Cuba and Puerto Rico.
With music that soars over sheer rhythmic joy, the
famous and celebrated Mambo Kings are enjoying
great success as a leading Latin jazz ensemble, and
have rapidly earned a national reputation for their
explosive blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz
improvisation.
MAESTRO LAWRENCE LOH
Theater at Lackawanna College
29.9500° N I 90.0667° W
BYRON STRIPLING
Theater at Lackawanna College
SATURDAY l 8 PM
FEBRUARY 13, 2016
F.M. Kirby Center
23.1333° N I 82.3833° W
MAMBO KINGS
HOLIDAY & ON LOCATION
NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA: FRIDAY l 7 PM
DECEMBER 4, 2015
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
DR. VICTOR LIVA, CONDUCTOR
MARK KRATZ, TENOR
JESSIE HOOKER, ALTO
with special guest conductor, Dr. Victor Liva
Guest Artists: Mark Kratz, tenor
Jessie Hooker, alto
Ballet Theater of Scranton
The Choral Society of NEPA
and surprise visitors
Scranton Cultural Center
Dr. Victor Liva has strong emotional ties with
our orchestra. His father Ferdinand served as coconductor of the Philharmonic during its very first
year and as a young professional violinist, Victor
was a member of the orchestra before leaving to
pursue his Doctorate degree. Liva fondly recalls
growing up in NEPA – it is fitting that he has
returned to his roots to celebrate the Holidays
with friends and family! Joining Liva for the
concert are other notable performers who are back
home for a joyful evening of music making. You’ll
hear traditional and contemporary songs such as
Oh Holy Night, Baby It’s Cold Outside, Parade of the
Wooden Soldiers, Santa Baby, as well as holiday
favorites for Chorus and Orchestra and you’ll
actually be able to vote for your favorite sleigh
ride! Get into the spirit of the season by celebrating
the most wonderful time of the year!
41.4108° N I 75.6606° W
PLUS . . .
ON-LOCATION CONCERTS!
SATURDAY l 7 PM
APRIL 9, 2016
Guest Artist: Mark Laubach, organist
Saint Stephen’s Pro Cathedral
We are proud to announce our first On Location
concerts for busy people on the go! Performances
will begin at 7 PM on Saturday evening and 3 PM
on Sunday afternoon, and run approximately 75
minutes (without an intermission.) All tickets are
$35 and seating is general admission, which allows
patrons to sit where, and with whom, they wish. It
is perfect for families who are looking for a shorter
concert to which they can take their children, or for
young professionals with busy lives, and patrons
who want to enjoy an earlier concert with dinner
immediately following.
41.4266° N I 75.8845° W
Enjoy the majestic sounds of two of Northeastern
PA’s most powerful pipe organs as the orchestra
performs a variety of musical works showcasing
the instruments, including Jongen‘s monumental
Toccata and Saint-Saëns’ thundering “Organ
Symphony.” This impressive masterpiece is the
very best of Saint-Saëns, with his lush harmonies,
soaring melodies and magnificent orchestral
colors.
MARK LAUBACH, ORGANIST
41.4107° N I 75.6600° W
SATURDAY l 7 PM
DECEMBER 5, 2015
F.M. Kirby Center
SUNDAY l 3 PM
APRIL 10, 2016
Elm Park United
Methodist Church
41.4122° N I 75.6674° W
PASCAL ARCHER
ALBERTO PARRINI
FEI-FEI DONG
ERICA KIESEWETTER
C H A MBER SER IES
THURSDAY EVENINGS
Hear our incredible Philharmonic players up close and personal! Broaden your
knowledge of the composers you love! Meet and converse with the musicians and
fellow audience members. WVIA’s intimate Sordoni Theater guarantees you a
comfortable, satisfying experience. Pair a Chamber concert with a Masterworks concert
to make your own mini-festival weekend!
BRASS MASTERS: GREAT
AMERICAN BRASS MUSIC
SEPTEMBER 17, 2015
A festive season opener featuring Philharmonic brass players Richard Clark,
Sara Cyrus and John Dent.
DANCING TO BROOKLYN
NOVEMBER 12, 2015
Join us for a klezmer-influenced romp by
Schoenfield as well music by Brahms and
Stravinsky. Musicians from the orchestra include Pascal Archer, Yukie Handa
and Spencer Myer.
PERFORMANCE l 7 PM
REFRESHMENTS l 6:30 PM
WVIA Sordoni Theater
41.1057° N I 75.5220° W
WINTER SUITES
JANUARY 21, 2016
Warm yourself on a cold January evening with the elegant and powerful music
of Bach and Crumb performed by principal cellist Alberto Parrini.
FROM THE FJORDS:
MUSIC OF SCANDINAVIA
MARCH 3, 2016
Experience music of celebrated Scandinavian composers performed by
concertmaster Erica Kiesewetter and Van Cliburn winner, pianist
Fei-Fei Dong.
S UB SC RIB ING HA S G R E AT B E N EF IT S !
GUARANTEED SEATING
FLEX TICKETING
TICKET DISCOUNTS
BRING TWO GUESTS!
Enjoy your choice of premium seating for all performances at
reduced pricing! Do you want to keep the same great seats you
enjoyed last season? Reserve them by August 10th!
Exchange your ticket(s) prior to the performance for an alternate hall
or another performance.
Bring two guests to a concert, compliments of us! Just call the office to
make arrangements prior to the performance.
Reduced early bird and subscription series prices.
Plus a 10% DISCOUNT off purchase of additional tickets!
EARLY BIRD SAVINGS
KIRBY CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS, SEM
F.M. KIRBY CENTER, WILKES-BARRE
SCRANTON CULTURAL CENTER
THEATER AT LACKAWANNA COLLEGE
Theater Seating Charts
NUMBER OF CONCERTS IN PACKAGE
SEVEN
SIX
FIVE
FOUR
THREE
MEZZANINE,
ORCHESTRA A,
BALCONY A,
ORCHESTRA B,
BALCONY B
15%
14%
13%
12%
11%
ORCHESTRA C,
BALCONY C
10%
9%
8%
7%
6%
PO Box 4525
Scranton, PA 18505
AFTER EARLY BIRD SAVINGS
MEZZANINE,
ORCHESTRA A,
BALCONY A,
ORCHESTRA B,
BALCONY B
10%
9%
8%
7%
6%
PHONE: 570.270.4444
FAX: 570.270.4450
No Discount for ORCHESTRA C, BALCONY C, ON LOCATION
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U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SCRANTON, PA
PERMIT NO. 61
YO U R PA S S P OR T TO T H E 2 015 - 2 016 S E A S O N !
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