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The Kansas City Symphony announced  their sophomore season in the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday. An impressive collection of distinguished guest artists will join the Symphony and Music Director Michael Stern for the 2012–13 season, performing innovative and diverse repertoire designed to showcase the Symphony as well as the acoustics and state-of-the-art technical capabilities of their performance home, Helzberg Hall.

"Our first season in Helzberg Hall has exceeded all of our expectations," said Music Director Michael Stern. "But the revelatory design and exquisite acoustics are only a part of the story of the Kauffman Center, for it has already established itself in the fabric of the city and region as a whole. The real thrill has been what is happening inside, and that is what inspires us now – to make this magnificent place a living vessel for great music and art at its most transformational. Moving forward into our second season, I love the idea of sharing cherished works by great masters, in this place re-imagined as if for the first time. I love welcoming to our stage a starry array of celebrated guest soloists and conductors, as well as younger bright lights making their debuts. And I love welcoming the talented and imaginative young American composer Adam Schoenberg as Composer-in-Residence. I love our newest musical project “Symphonic Pictures," in collaboration with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, deepening our partnership and our mutual celebration of Kansas City. These are just a few of the reasons why the 2012–13 season at the symphony will be so special."

The 2012–13 season ticket renewal process will begin immediately. 

2012–13 CLASSICAL SERIES

The Symphony’s classical series will feature fourteen programs, each presented in three performances at Helzberg Hall.  Highlights of the season include Brahms’ Symphony No. 4, Mahler’s Sixth and Tchaikovsky’s “Little Russian.”  The Symphony will be joined in Orff’s Carmina burana by the Kansas City Symphony Chorus, which is led by Grammy Award-winning director Charles Bruffy. Other audience favorites will include An Alpine Symphony by Richard Strauss and Symphonies No. 3 and No. 6 “Pastoral,” both by Beethoven; as well as Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

“Our inaugural season in Helzberg Hall has redefined the Kansas City Symphony experience, and has also transformed the very act of attending a symphonic concert,” said Executive Director Frank Byrne.  “The direct connection with the audience is as never before.  I believe that Helzberg Hall is a magical place where symphonic music is brought to life with a kind of excitement and power that is unforgettable, and it will only continue to get better in our thrilling second season. As I say frequently to many of our audience members, ‘you haven’t seen anything yet!’ ”

World Premiere 

Michael Stern, entering his eighth season as Music Director, will introduce the world premiere of Adam Schoenberg’s new work, co-commissioned by the KCS and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which was inspired by the museum’s collection.

Other innovative programming selections coordinate to form a “Symphonic Pictures” theme during the season, including Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky/Ravel; Martinu’s Frescoes of Piero della Francesca; Hindemith’s Mathis der Maler; plus an additional work from Schoenberg, Finding Rothko.

KCS Debuts

We celebrate the Kansas City introduction of organist Caroline Robinson, whose appearance is supported by the Almy Legacy Fund – a program which makes it possible each season to feature one of the most promising young talents from the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia (the alma mater of Music Director Michael Stern). And in collaboration with UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, the Symphony is excited to welcome Eighth Blackbird Ensembleperforming Jennifer Higdon’s On A Wire.

Also making their KCS subscription debuts are: guest conductor Osmo Vanska, music director of the Minnesota Orchestra; noted violinist Vadim Gluzman and pianist Lise de la Salle; as well as cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan, gold medal winner of the 2011 Tchaikovsky International Competition.

Distinguished Soloists and Guest Conductors

The 2012–13 classical season will feature a stunning collection of guest artists and conductors who are sure to delight audiences, including internationally acclaimed violinists Pinchas Zukerman and Gil Shaham, pianists Garrick Ohlsson andJose Federico Orsorio, plus soprano Christine Brewer. We welcome back two favorite guest conductors: Nicholas McGegan and Asher Fisch who will also be performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17.

POPS, FAMILY AND HOLIDAY CONCERTS

The Symphony’s four concert Pops Series gives audiences the option of attending on Friday or Saturday evenings.  This popular series boasts a range of musical styles from Dancing with Stars-inspired choreography in Ballroom with a Twist, to the latest generation of Broadway musicals, to the jazz standards of Kansas City master Bobby Watson. And the powerful voice of Jennifer Holliday will resonate throughout Helzberg Hall when she appears together with legend Marvin Hamlisch.

The Kansas City Symphony’s Family Series introduces children the world’s greatest music through light-hearted, shorter programs including Farkle and Friends, narrated by John Lithgow; the highly entertaining magic of mimes; and The Orchestra Games, where the personalities of instruments are explored through friendly sporting competitions!

The holidays would not be complete without Handel’s Messiah, with three performances to choose from, featuring the Symphony Chorus and the Independence Messiah Choir; and the return of Christmas Festival, Kansas City’s grandest holiday concert of classic Christmas carols and songs of the season.