The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra performing at the 2008 Opening Night Gala.
On
Thursday, October 16, The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra celebrated the
Opening Night of its 2008-09 Carnegie Hall season. The festive evening
began at 5:45pm with cocktails in the Rose Museum and a dinner in
The Rohatyn Room at Carnegie Hall at 6:30pm. The dinner was followed
by a concert with guest artist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. There
was a champagne reception in the Rohatyn Room with Orpheus board
members, musicians, and Mr. Thibaudet immediately following the performance.
The program, presented by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, included
the world premiere of composer Paul Moravec's Brandenburg
Gate inspired by Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2.
The Grammy® Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra has invigorated
international audiences and critics alike with its superior artistry,
energy, and distinctive approach to music-making. Orpheus is committed
to illuminating both classic orchestral repertoire and new works
by contemporary composers. Over its history, Orpheus has built a
legacy through its acclaimed recordings, performances, and collaborations
with the world's most dynamic and esteemed soloists. In addition
to extensive national and international touring, the orchestra presents
an annual concert series at Carnegie Hall and appears regularly at
major New York venues.
Orpheus' 2008-2009 season continues its tradition of collaboration
with today's leading soloists and composers, including performances
with pianists Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Jonathan Biss, sitarist Anoushka
Shankar, violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, and mezzo-soprano Susan
Graham. The orchestra also returns to Europe in February 2009 for
an extensive tour with pianist Jonathan Biss. This season, the orchestra
will premier commissioned works by Paul Moravec, Ravi Shankar, Melinda
Wagner, and Ned Rorem. Mr. Moravec and Ms. Wagner's works will
mark the next installments of Orpheus' The New Brandenburgs commissioning
project, a four-year project begun in 2006, premiering six orchestral
works modeled on J.S. Bach's “Brandenburg” concerti.
