Britt announces 2013 Classical Festival!
In the search for a new Music Director, the spotlight is on the podium — August 2-18 • Tickets on sale to members and non-members February 22–March 31
Britt announces the 2013 Classical Festival, coming to Jacksonville for three weeks this August. This summer, Britt will audition three finalists for the position of Music Director and Conductor. Those finalists, chosen after an intense national search, are Mei-Ann Chen, Teddy Abrams and David Danzmayr. Each finalist will spend a week at Britt, leading the orchestra in rehearsals and two concerts, and getting to know the Britt community. One of the three will be chosen as Britt’s next Music Director.
The Britt Orchestra first performed in 1963. Fifty years later, the 2013 Classical Festival orchestra is a high-caliber ensemble that draws 90 musicians from top orchestras across the country.
“This is an exciting time, with so many possibilities to look forward to,” says Britt’s Executive Director Donna Briggs. “In our 50-year history, we have had just four Music Directors, and it’s been more than 20 years since our last search. One of these candidates will lead our wonderful Britt Orchestra into its next half-century of music-making.”
Mei-Ann Chen
Jon Kimura Parker
The first week of the 2013 Classical Festival concerts will be led by conductor Mei-Ann (pronounced MAY-en) Chen, who is Music Director of the Memphis Symphony and the Chicago Sinfonietta, and has ties to Oregon dating back to her early career. She will conduct the opening night concert on August 2 with guest pianist Jon Kimura Parker, who will perform Rachmaninoff’s Variations on a Theme of Paganini. The Saturday, August 3 concert will include pianist Ian Parker (Jon Kimura Parker’s cousin) performing another Variations on a Theme of Paganini, this one by Lutoslawski. Chen’s concerts will also include Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony and Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony.
Teddy Abrams
The second weekend of the Classical Festival will be led by conductor Teddy Abrams. Abrams is the Assistant Conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Resident Conductor of the MAV Symphony Orchestra in Budapest. Abrams is a West Coast native. He will conduct pianist Yuja (pronounced YOO-ja) Wang in Gershwin’s Concerto in F on Friday, August 9. Abrams’ second concert on Saturday, August 10 will feature violinist Augustin Hadelich (pronounced Au-gus-TINE HAD-a-lik) in Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto. Abrams’ concerts will also include Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.
David Danzmayr
The third Music Director candidate is Austrian David (pronounced DAH-vid) Danzmayr, who serves as Music Director of the Illinois Philharmonic in Chicago, and will soon begin as Music Director of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra in Columbus, Ohio. Danzmayr’s first concert on Friday, August 16, will include Russian-born pianist Lisa (pronounced (LEE-za) Smirnova performing Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2. The concert will also feature Bernstein’s West Side Story Symphonic Dances. Danzmayr’s second concert on Saturday, August 17 will feature violinist Jennifer Koh performing Tchaikovsky’s beloved Violin Concerto, and the concert will conclude with Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8.
Augustin Hadelich
The final concert of the 2013 Britt Classical season will be a Symphony Pops concert on Sunday, August 18. For the second year, the concert is priced at just $5 for all seats, and provides an opportunity for newcomers and long-time attendees alike to enjoy the Britt Orchestra performing a selection of audience favorites. The concert will be led by Assistant Conductor Wes Schulz, and feature guest artist ensemble Project Trio, a groundbreaking trio that is finding innovative ways to move classical music into the future, and break down barriers for audiences. Project Trio will also be the faculty for Britt’s new modern chamber music camp called Project:
Beyond the Page, a camp for students age 8-18 dedicated to blurring the lines of classical music.
Full program and guest artist information for all concerts and education programs is available at brittfest.org.
Classical Festival tickets can be purchased in a special pre-sale, beginning February 22 at 9 a.m. and continuing through March 31.
Tickets will be available to both members and non-members during this presale. In addition to tickets for single concerts, the popular Classical Lawn Pass, a flexible package of three lawn tickets, is available, along with a special package price for students. Call the box office at 1-800-882-7488 or 773-6077 or visit brittfest.org.
Britt’s full 2013 season schedule will be announced April 3.
Britt Festivals invites audiences and artists to celebrate the joy of live performance, the power of community, and the magic of the Britt Experience. Through on-going education and audience development programs, Britt educates new generations of listeners, helping them discover the wonder of music and performance. In addition to presenting concerts, Britt Festivals maintains a formal education program through the Britt Institute. Established in 1985, the Britt Institute hosts a wide variety of learning opportunities through a multi-faceted approach of summer camps, workshops, grade school programs, lectures and adult learning opportunities.