THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY ANNOUNCES ITS
2008-2009 CONCERT SEASON

Highlights include:

OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION WITH PIANIST LANG LANG
GUSTAVO DUDAMEL CONDUCTS THE ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC
MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS CONDUCTS THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY
THE RETURN OF MEZZO-SOPRANO CECILIA BARTOLI
VALERY GERGIEV CONDUCTS THE LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
JULIA FISCHER PERFORMS WITH
THE ACADEMY OF ST. MARTIN IN THE FIELDS

The Philharmonic Society today announced its 2008-2009 concert season. Now in its 55th season, the Society continues to present signature classical music presentations, great orchestras, chamber ensembles and soloists from around the world. “This season may be the best that we have ever presented,” Philharmonic Society’s President and Artistic Director states. “We have an all-star cast Lang Lang, Bartoli, Dudamel, Gergiev and many more.”

2008-09 ORCHESTRA CONCERTS

Concerts held at the Orange County Performing Artscenter’s
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts

The Society presents eleven magnificent concerts featuring
world-class orchestras, conductors and soloists.

Bursting onto the international opera scene after winning first prize in the 2000 Operalia competition founded by Plácido Domingo, soprano sensation Isabel Bayrakdarian is admired for her stunning stage presence and exceptional musicality. The young Armenian-Canadian has performed in many of the world’s major opera houses, most recently endearing herself to London’s audiences in her Royal Opera House debut as Susanna in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. Joining her is the Armenian Chamber Ensemble on Sunday, October 5, 2008, 7pm, to perform works by Grieg, Bartok, and Gomidas. (Program is to be announced).

Hailed as “an innovative jazz saxophonist who also happens to be a classical performer with phenomenal technique,” Branford Marsalis leads the Philharmonic Brasilianos on Saturday, October 11, 2008, 8pm. The program includes Villa-Lobos: Fantasia for Soprano Saxophone, A 490; Suite for Strings, A. 054; Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5, A. 389; Milhaud’s La Création du Monde, Op. 81; and Scaramouche, Op. 165c.

The Israel Philharmonic returns to Orange County since their 2003 appearance, with rising star conductor Gustavo Dudamel on Sunday, November 23, 2008, 3pm, to perform Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 “Italian,” and Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98. Gustavo Dudamel will be the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s new music director starting the 2009-10 season. This concert is part of the Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic will make their annual Orange County visit on Friday, January 23, 2009, 8pm. Led by conductor StÉphane DenÉve in his Orange County debut, the evening’s program includes Stravinsky: Concerto in E-flat (Dumbarton Oaks), Khachaturian: Violin Concerto with guest violinist Gil Shaham, followed by Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45.

Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony appear on Wednesday, January 28, 2009, 8pm, to peform Tilson Thomas: Street Song for Symphonic Brass, Copland: Symphony for Organ and Orchestra (1924), and Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64. This concert is part of the Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series.

Handel’s Water Music will be performed by Les Violons du Roy on Friday, February 20, 2009, 8pm, with conductor Bernard Labadie. The evening’s program will also feature Purcell: Chacony from King Arthur, Z. 628/40, and Haydn: Symphony No. 48 in C major (Maria Theresa).

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the Orange County debut of the Dublin Philharmonic on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 8pm. Led by conductor Derek Gleeson making his Orange County debut, the evening’s program includes Gleeson: Overture from A Symphony of Celtic Song, Cassidy: Aughrim Suite and Deirdre of the Sorrows, aria from Oratorio, Whelan: Irishlacken, Concerto for two violins and orchestra, and concludes with a medley of Irish orchestral arrangements. Other artists include Gerry O’Connor (violin and banjo), Emer Maycock (Uilleann pipes), Robert Harris (bodhran), and Mairead Buicke (soprano).

The London Symphony Orchestra appears on Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 8pm, and Thursday, March 19, 2009, 8pm. Valery Gergiev will lead the ensemble with guest pianist Alexei Volodin in his Orange County debut. Music selections for the first evening (March 18, 2009) include Prokofiev: Classical Symphony, Op. 25, Beethoven: Piano concerto No. 4, Op. 58 in G minor, and Prokofiev: Symphony No. 6, Op. 111 in E-flat minor. The second evening (March 19, 2009) will include Beethoven: Piano concerto No. 5 “Emperor” Op. 73 in E-flat, and Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5, Op. 100. The March 18 concert is part of the Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series. The March 19 concert is a Shanbrom Family Concert.

Under the guidance of Artistic Direcot John Alexander, Pacific Chorale and Southern California's premier Baroque ensemble Musica Angelica perform Bach’s St. John Passion on Friday, April 10, 2009, 8pm. Originally meant to be performed for the first time in the St. Thomas church in Leipzig, the St. John Passion was first performed in 1724 in the St. Nicholas' church.

The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields return as they celebrate their 50^th anniversary tour with leader and violin soloist Julia Fischer on Saturday, May 2, 2009, 8pm. Hear Britten: Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, Op. 10, Bach: Concerto for Violin No. 1 in A minor, BWV 1041, Bach: Concerto for Violin No. 2 in E major, BWV 1042, and Walton: Sonata for Strings. Julia Fischer is Gramophone Magazine’s Artist of theYear.

THE 2008-09 RECITALS
Enjoy three recitals with classical music’s finest.

Celebrate the Philharmonic Society’s Opening Night Celebration with pianist Lang Lang on

Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 8pm, at the Orange County Performing Artscenter’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Lang Lang returns with a solo recital since his last appearance with the China Philharmonic in 2005. Considered by the New York Times to be the “hottest artist on the classical music planet,” Lang Lang’s artistry and ability to connect with audiences on a personal level have established him as an international sensation and one of the most exciting and charismatic artists of our time. This concert is part of the Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series. (Program to be announced.)

Considered to be a lyric and dramatic coloratura, the return of Italian mezzo-soprano superstar Cecilia Bartoli will enchant Orange County audiences with her exceptional singing on Tuesday, February 17, 2009, 8pm, at the Orange County Performing Artscenter’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Cecilia made her Orange County debut in 1995 presented by the Society and later returned with Il Giardino Armonico in 2000. This concert is part of the Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series. (Program to be announced.)

Distinguished American pianist Richard Goode has been hailed for music making of tremendous emotional power, depth and expressiveness. His ability to enter and illuminate the different worlds of each composer he plays has inspired one critic to remark, “You’d swear the composer himself was at the keyboard, expressing musical thoughts that had just come into his head.” The Society last presented Mr. Goode during the 1990-91 concert season and again in 1998 with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 8pm, at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. (Program to be announced).

THE 2008-09 CHAMBER CONCERTS
Hear four exceptional ensembles as they return to showcase their abilities in intimate settings.

The Musicians from Marlboro will perform Kodály: Serenade, Op. 12, Beethoven: Serenade in D major, Op. 25, Beethoven: Quintet in C major, Op. 29, on Thursday, March 5, 2009, 8pm, at the Orange County Performing Artscenter’s Samueli Theatre. Founded in 1951 on the hilltop campus of Marlboro College, the Marlboro Music Festival brings together young artists destined to become future musical leaders.

Curtis Institute on Tour brings the extraordinary talents of the world-renowned Curtis Institute of Music, making their Orange County debut performance with a special evening of Igor Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du Soldat on Saturday, March 7, 2009, 8pm, at the Orange County Performing Artscenter’s Samueli Theatre. (Program to be announced).

Praised for its highly sophisticated, sensual sound and extensive range of color, the Brentano String Quartet returns with pianist Peter SERKIN and baritone Richard Lalli on Monday, March 16, 2009, 8pm, at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, to perform a new commissioned work by Charles Wuorinen: Piano Quintet. Other works include Haydn: Quartet in D minor, Op. 76, No. 2 (“Quinten”), Schoenberg: Ode to Napoleon (for quartet, piano and baritone), and Beethoven: “Grosse Fugue,” Op. 133.

Since making their debut at the White House for President Carter's Inauguration in January 1977, the Kalichstein -Laredo-Robinson Trio (pianist Joseph Kalichstein, violinist Jaime Laredo and cellist Sharon Robinson) have set the standard for performance of the piano trio literature for twenty-seven consecutive seasons. Musical America’s 2002 Ensemble of the Year will delight audiences with expressive and exhilarating interpretations on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 8pm, at the Orange County Performing Artscenter’s Samueli Theatre. (Program to be announced).

2008-09 SPECIAL CONCERTS
Experience the Philharmonic Society’s diverse offerings with three delightful presentations at the
Orange County Performing Artscenter’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the

Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
The Society presents the Orange County debut of the West African Festival on Thursday, November 20, 2008, 8pm. With a uunique blend of traditional West African melodies and musical styles with the musical stylizations of the western world, the ensemble is comprised of singers, dancers and musicians from the various cultures out of West Africa such as Togo, Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Mauritania, this company combines the traditional rhythms, instruments, folklore and mythology of nations to paint a colorful and exciting picture of the voice and music of these diverse peoples.

Celebrate the holidays “mariachi-style” with the Philharmonic Society tradition of Fiesta Navidad with Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano on Saturday, November 29, 2008, 7:30pm. Fiesta Navidad brings the pageantry and excitement of Mexican holiday traditions to life and includes a sing-a-long of carols. A rousing and colorful celebration for the whole family!

Since their sold-out performance for the Society in 2007, The 5 Browns – classical music’s first family of piano virtuosos – return to Orange County on Monday, March 2, 2009, 8pm. The 5 Browns swept the classical world in 2005 with the release of their self-titled first recording for RCA Red Seal, which landed them at the top of the weekly Billboard charts and, at the end of the year, selection as one of the Top Classical Artists of 2005. (Program to be announced).

Subscription packages range from $121 to $3160. For more information and to receive a brochure of the Philharmonic Society’s 2008-2009 season, please call (949) 553-2422 or visit our website at www.PhilharmonicSociety.org. Single tickets are scheduled to go on sale in early summer.

All dates, times, programs, artists and prices are subject to change.