With a choice of 35 main season concerts – including a world première – and nine lunchtime concerts that feature the work of more than 60 composers from 12 countries from around the world involving more than 20 guest conductors and almost 40 soloists – It’s ‘T-Day’ for the Ulster Orchestra’s as tickets to the 2011-2012 Concert Season go on sale today (18 July).
Entitled ‘World of Music’, the Ulster Orchestra’s 46th Season heralds some great classical music and unique contemporary collaborations with some outstanding local and international artists and a first for Northern Ireland’s only professional symphony orchestra in its Taster Concert.
“The Taster Concert on 21 September is a first for the UO,” explained the Ulster Orchestra’s Chief Executive, “as it will be the first time that we have given a concert that features music from the Season ahead. It’s a potted highlight if you like and a perfect way to open the door into our world of classical music.
“It will also be the first time that JoAnn Falletta takes the Orchestra through its paces in her first Season as our new Principal Conductor. Conducting and presenting the concert, JoAnn comes with a huge international reputation. Described by the New York Times as ‘one of the finest conductors of her generation’, she is our first female and first American to hold the post bringing passion and genuine presence to the stage,” he continued.
“The UO is a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s diverse cultural life and this Season we want to continue to take people on a journey through a world of music that is rich and diverse and has the ability to draw people together from all walks of life, backgrounds and ages. It’s going to be a not-to-be-missed Season,” Declan said.
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The acclaimed British pianist, Paul Lewis, opens the Season – which runs from September to June – in the Belfast Waterfront on 23 September. The Season also marks a welcome return for a number of local soloists of international standing like Barry Douglas and Sir James Galway – who closes the Season with the James Galway Prom in June.
The young Finish virtuoso violinist Pekka Kuusisto, who wowed the Ulster Hall last November is back in May, and one of last year’s Classical Brit Award winners Jack Liebeck, plays Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in a Beethoven-fest on 30 September.
The popular Russian pianist Nikolai Demidenko also makes a welcome return as does the chart-topping Australian-born classical guitarist, Craig Ogden, who plays Rodrigo’s well known Concierto de Aranjuez.
Tasmin Little, winner of the Critics Award at this May’s Classic Brits for her interpretation of Elgar’s Violin Concerto and a favourite with Belfast audiences, will perform the piece in the Ulster Hall on 21 October.
The UO also marks the Titanic Centenary with ‘The stars, the seas’, a specially commissioned piece by the Orchestra’s Associate Composer Ian Wilson. Inspired by the Belfast-built liner and her sister ship Olympic, the world première takes place in the Ulster Hall on 17 February 2012.
As well as the new, the Season is full of traditional favourites like Handel’s Messiah, the New Year Viennese Gala and Family Concerts which include The Snowman, plus unique collaborations with Brian Kennedy in a big band swing style Christmas celebration, a Burns Night festival and an evening with the Orchestra and Duke Special.
“Tickets start from as little as £6 for a Lunchtime Concert and range from £8-26 for a Friday evening or Saturday night concert,” said Box Office Assistant Janet Armstrong. “And with more people attending concerts than in recent years, if you want to experience a live symphony orchestra for the first time, or you’re a regular concert goer, we’ve a great Season in store for you,” she said.
You can book online at www.ulsterorchestra.com, call the Box Office on 028 9023 9955 or drop into the Ulster Hall to get your tickets.