esa-pekka salonen conducts
the los angeles philharmonic in his final
orange county appearance as music director
Program to be followed by a private supper in honor of Mr. Salonen hosted by
Henry and Elizabeth Segerstrom and Montres Breguet S.A.
“…everything about this orchestra, with Salonen on the podium, possesses a polish that is waxed and buffed but not impersonal or slick. The playing retains its human side even when it is most impeccably dressed.” – The Post-Intelligencer (Seattle)
The Philharmonic Society of Orange County presents, in his final Orange County appearance as music director, Musical America's 2006 Musician of the Year, Esa-Pekka Salonen, conducting the internationally acclaimed Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra on Sunday, April 27, 2008, 3pm, at the Orange County Performing Artscenter’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The concert program opens with Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622, featuring Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Michele Zukovsky followed by Bruckner: Symphony No. 6 in A major. A pre-concert lecture led by Christopher Russell begins at 2pm. This performance is part of the Elizabeth and Henry Segerstrom Select Series, and is generously sponsored by Breguet.
Philharmonic Society’s President and Artistic Director Dean Corey states, “We have been thrilled to have Esa-Pekka Salonen as a part of our musical family and we look forward to the possibility of a continuing relationship that might be in the future regarding his role as a composer or guest conductor.”
“It is a great pleasure for Montres Breguet to support the Philharmonic Society of Orange County by honoring Mr. Salonen’s final performance,” said Mr. Nicolas G. Hayek, CEO of Montres Breguet S.A. and Chairman of the Board of The Swatch Group. “Beauty, creative passion and innovative spirit are the foundation of Breguet’s international heritage. We salute Mr. Salonen, who has brought enormous amounts of these qualities to all his performances.”
Hailed as one of the leading orchestras in the world, the Los Angeles Philharmonic demonstrates a breadth and depth of programming unrivaled by other orchestras and cultural institutions, performing or presenting nearly 300 concerts throughout the year at its two iconic venues: Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, a popular tradition since 1922.
Esa-Pekka Salonen is the recipient of several major awards, including the Siena Prize from the Accademia Chigiana in 1993, the first conductor ever to receive the prize; the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Opera Award in 1995; and their Conductor Award in 1997. In 1998, he was awarded the rank of Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.
AN ELIZABETH AND HENRY SEGERSTROM SELECT CONCERT:
The Elizabeth & Henry Segerstrom Select Series offers five concerts by artists of the highest international stature at the Orange County Performing Artscenter’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. These performances reflect the depth and breadth of musical excellence and styles, from voice to solo instruments to orchestral magnificence. Other concerts in the Elizabeth and Henry Segerstrom Select Series include: Kiri Te Kanawa, soprano; Yo-Yo Ma, cello, and Kathryn Stott, piano; Czech Philharmonic; and Osvaldo Golijov’s Ayre featuring soprano Dawn Upshaw.
SPONSORED BY BREGUET:
The timepieces of Montres Breguet S.A. are truly unique because they have set the standard by which all fine watchmaking has ever been judged. Since the brand’s inception in 1775, Breguet has unfailingly honored a tradition founded on principles of beauty, elegance, understated design, and a mastery of horology. Winston Churchill, Napoleon Bonaparte, Queen Marie-Antoinette of France, Gioacchino Rossini, and Sergei Rachmaninov are among the brand’s historical patrons.
Breguet is the ultimate watch brand among the 159 member companies comprising the Swatch Group Ltd of Biel, Switzerland, the largest watch company in the world. With boutiques in Beverly Hills, New York, Cannes, London, Paris, Geneva, Moscow, Vienna, Dubai and Tokyo, the 233-year-old brand appeals to a very discerning clientele.
ABOUT THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY:
The Philharmonic Society of Orange County (PSOC), which presents the world’s most acclaimed symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, performing organizations and artists, is a key tenant of the new Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. PSOC, founded in 1954, is the oldest continuously operating music organization in the region and has been a primary catalyst for cultural growth in Orange County.
Among the highlights of the Philharmonic Society’s 2007-08 concert season are appearances by cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Kathryn Stott; Dame Kiri Te Kanawa’s final Orange County performance and the Orange County debut of the Swedish Chamber Orchestra.
The Orange County Performing Artscenter’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall is located at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Ticket prices are $95, $90, $75, $65, $55, $45, $40, $25, $250 (box seats) and are available at the Philharmonic Society box office at (949) 553-2422, online at www.PhilharmonicSociety.org, and at the Center box office at (714) 556-2787.
