Saturday, May 11, 2013
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Christoph Eschenbach, music director
“A TRIBUTE TO SLAVA”
Shchedrin: Slava, Slava – A Festive ringing of bells
Alfred Schnittke: Viola Concerto
David Aaron Carpenter, viola
*****
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
About Washington, DC
Population 617,996
Founded 1790
Orchestra Founded 1931
Washington, DC, is unique among American cities because it was established by the Constitution of the United States to serve as the nation’s capital. During 222 years in this role Washington has developed as a complex and layered city with multiple personalities. As home to the federal government, it has a diverse workforce: members of Congress from all 50 states, foreign emissaries, lobbyists, petitioners and protestors. While elected and appointed officials come and go, giving the city its reputation as a transient community, many residents have roots in Washington that go back many generations, and their stories give Washington its distinctive character as both a national and local city. One of its key icons is the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The National Symphony has been resident there since its opening in 1971, and has been an artistic affiliate since 1986.
About the National Symphony Orchestra
The National Symphony Orchestra’s 82nd season is its third under Music Director Christoph Eschenbach, who is also the Music Director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The NSO recently completed its first international tour under Maestro Eschenbach’s direction, to great acclaim, and will be make its second ithis season, visiting Spain, Germany, France and Oman. The National Symphony Orchestra regularly participates in events of national and international importance, including performances for state occasions, presidential inaugurations and official holiday celebrations. Through its tours of four continents and performances for heads of state, the National Symphony also fills an important international role.
Throughout its history, the orchestra has been committed to both artistic excellence and music education. The orchestra has 100 musicians and a 52-week season of approximately 175 concerts each year. These include classical subscription series, pops concerts, summer performances at Wolf Trap and on the Capitol lawn, as well as one of the country’s most extensive educational programs.
The National Symphony Orchestra has a strong commitment to the development of America’s artistic resources. Through the John and June Hechinger Commissioning Fund for New Orchestral Works, the orchestra has commissioned more than 60 works, including cycles of fanfares and encores, which, taken as a whole, represent the diverse influences in American composition today. The NSO has a long history of nurturing young American conductors. In addition, through its American Residencies, the orchestra has visited 21 states, performing, training and teaching, with all proceeds from concerts remaining in the state to benefit local arts organizations.
The National Symphony Orchestra serves the nation through tours, broadcasts and other special projects. For more information, visit nationalsymphony.org.
