Phil Burkhart: The Austin Symphony announces its new season
Published 5:22 pm Friday, October 4, 2024
Animalia 2
Veldman and Friends
Brandon Lawhead
Rachel Barton Pine
Kenny Broberg
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The Austin Symphony is planning another year of exciting concerts. We begin the season with a family concert titled “Animalia 2,” which features music about animals and our relationship with Nature on Oct. 27.
It will be a mixture of fun, family-friendly music and accessible classical pieces, including “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” (with the animal noises), and the “Finale to the Firebird” with pictures of historical firebirds projected above the orchestra. The centerpiece of the concert, however, is the reading of the book “On the Day You Were Born” accompanied by projected pictures from the book and beautiful music by Minnesota composer Steve Heitzig.
Our narrator will be, appropriately, the owner of Sweet Reads Books and Candy, Lisa Deyo. There will also be a carnival before the concert with live animals and animal themed games. This is going to be a great family event.
Our second concert will feature the return of the ever-popular Michael Veldman and Friends, presenting a program they are calling Toyland on Dec. 15. Back by popular demand, Michael, Kaye Perry, Erin Schumacher and Brian Bawek are returning with all new songs. Rumor has it there will be life-sized toys onstage for this one. You won’t want to miss what has become an Austin tradition and a wonderful celebration of the holiday season.
Our third concert will feature the world-renowned violinist Rachel Barton Pine performing the beloved Tschaikovsky Violin Concerto on March 30. The New York Times has called Barton Pine’s playing as “striking and charismatic.” Not only has she performed with major orchestras around the world, she is also a champion for music education and for the disability community. Also featured on this program will be works by Ravel and Coleridge-Taylor,
Our fourth concert will present a Minnesota native who has won international acclaim. Kenny Broberg, who was born and raised and studied in Minneapolis, was the winner of the silver media at the Van Cliburn Piano Competition. He is returning to his home state to perform the most popular of all piano concertos — Rachmaninoff’s 2nd. The Austin Symphony Chorus, directed by Sonia Larson, will also perform the Rutter Requiem. You won’t want to miss this concert on May 4.
But wait. There is more! For the first time we are adding a special event called Stringworks — a chamber concert for small orchestra consisting of primarily strings. Although not a regular season concert, it will be part of the season ticket. The date is Feb. 16 and the venue will be First United Methodist Church. Our featured soloist will be local violinist Brandon Lawhead performing Vivaldi’s “Winter” along with music of William Grant Still and Bach. This will be a music lover’s delight.
All concerts start at 2 p.m. and are held at Knowlton Auditorium in Austin High School (except for the Chamber Concert which is at First United). Season tickets are now available at HyVee and the Coffee House on Main, or online at www.austinmnsymphony.org.
You can also get more information by calling 507-460-3678. Because we have kept ticket prices the same but have added an event, season tickets are a real deal at $70 for seniors and $80 for adults. Children and students through college age with student ID are always free. Individual concert tickets are $25 if bought before the concert and $30 at the door.
A special note for donors: if you have donated or bought season tickets in the past you will receive a letter asking you to consider doing so again this year. Unfortunately, the letter was delayed this year so when you receive it please reply promptly so that we can put your name in the program.
