2011-2012 Season Concerts & Events

Daring Virtuosity | Sat Sept 17, 2011 | 8pm

This Classical Concert is sponsored by Wells Fargo Private Bank

Rei Hotoda, conductor

Opening night includes one of the most beloved, melodic and technically demanding piano concertos in the literature. The famous depiction of paintings for large orchestra offers a rousing conclusion.

This concert will be directed by conductor candidate Rei Hotoda, who is currently Assistant Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Read the Press Release about Rei Hotoda.

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Higdon Blue Cathedral
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 with Katherine Chi, piano
Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition

Dazzling Endings | Sat Oct 1, 2011 | 8pm

This Classical Concert is sposored by Fraser Shipyards, Inc., Northern Engineering Company and Lake Assault Boats

Dirk Meyer, conductor

Mozart's sparkling and perhaps best known overture to his famous opera is followed by Beethoven's masterpiece for violin. Prokofiev's driving rhythms and heart-pounding finale generally brings audiences to their feet.

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Mozart Overture to the Marriage of Figaro
Beethoven Violin Concerto with Erin Aldridge, violin
Prokofiev Symphony No. 5

Motown Magic featuring The Contours | Sat Nov 5, 2011 | 8pm

This Pops Concert is co-sponsored by Gary Bubalo & John Lawien, RBC Wealth Management

David Danzmayr, conductor

The Contours hit "Do You Love Me" was featured in the film "Dirty Dancing," and they're coming to Duluth to perform with original member Sylvester Potts and the DSSO. Packed with dazzling choreography, rich harmonies, gorgeous orchestration, and all the groove Motown ever gave us, it'll be an evening to remember.

Check out this video of the Contours

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Divine Inspirations | Sat Nov 19, 2011 | 8pm

This Classical Concert is sponsored by The Pachel Foundation

Mariusz Smolij, conductor

Few works speak to the heart more than Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet." Wojciech Kilar, famous for film scores, including Coppola's "Dracula," became even better known with "Exodus" as the trailer music for "Schindler's List."

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Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet
Kilar Exodus with DSSO Chorus
Brahms Song of the Fates, op. 89 with DSSO Chorus
Respighi Pines of Rome

Youth Orchestras Fall Concert | Sun Nov 20, 2011 | 3pm

Join Sinfonia, Concert Orchestra, Youth Symphony and the Percussion Ensemble as they present their terrific Fall Concert in the NEW East High School Auditorium.

Tickets are available in advance at the DSSO office or at the door, day of show.  Adults are $10, Students $5.   Concert will be held at Duluth East High School Auditorium, 301 North 40th Avenue East, Duluth, MN.

The Peking Acrobats with DSSO | Sat Dec 31, 2011 | 7:30pm

This Special Concert is sponsored by National Bank of Commerce, The AtWater Group, Essentia Health, Minnesota Power\Allete, Minnesota Power Employees Credit Union

Mariusz Smolij, conductor

The DSSO welcomes the Peking Acrobats to AMSOIL Arena for a New Year's Eve event you simply won't believe until you see it! Whether they're balanced on a 20-foot stack of chairs or bending through impossible contortions, these outstanding and often outrageous performers bring feats of strength, balance and brilliance to the stage.

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Delicate Grace | Sat Jan 21, 2012 | 8pm

This Classical Concert is sponsored by St. Luke's

David Danzmayr, conductor

Virtuoso artist, Sharon Isbin, brings the beautiful grace of the classical guitar to the Season. DeFalla's rhythmic romp and the sublime melodies of the composer famed for his "New World" round out the evening.

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deFalla Three-Cornered Hat Suite 2
Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez with Sharon Isbin, guitar
Dvorak Symphony No. 8

Sibling Revelry featuring Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway | Sat Feb 11, 2012 | 8pm

This is a Pops Concert

Bohuslav Rattay, conductor

From Broadway to jazz clubs to a lifetime of singing together, these stunning sisters get along like a perfectly paired harmony, offering up show stoppers, solos, and bit of good-natured sparring.

Find the Sweetheart Deal on Ticketmaster. Just scroll down to the 4-pack offer.

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49th Annual Lollipop Concert | Sun Feb 12, 2012 | 3pm

Join Sinfonia, Concert Orchestra, and Youth Symphony for this annual concert "for kids by kids." Tickets are available in advance at the DSSO office or at the door, day of show. This concert will take place at the DECC.

Defiant Moments | Sat Mar 24, 2012 | 8pm

This is a Classical Concert

Bohuslav Rattay, conductor

Berlioz rousing curtain raiser is followed by what legendary pianist Alfred Brendel called "one of the greatest wonders of the world." The first performance of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 won a half-hour ovation!

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Berlioz Roman Carnival Overture
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 9, K.271 with Adam Golka, piano
Shostakovich Symphony No. 5

Old Turtle Family Concert | Sat Mar 31, 2012 | 7pm

This Special Concert is sponsored by North Shore Bank of Commerce

Dirk Meyer, conductor

The beloved book Old Turtle comes to life again in the DSSO and Minnesota Ballet's production. Last performed in 2007, we think you'll agree that there's no better time for its moving message. This enchanting fable promotes a deeper understanding of the earth and our relationship with all the beings who inhabit it. Your hearts will be touched by Old Turtle's message of peace.

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Endless Summer-An Evening of Beach Boy Favorites | Sat Apr 14, 2012 | 8pm

This Pops Concert is sponsored by Duluth News Tribune

Rei Hotoda, conductor

Join us as we welcome another high energy Jeans 'n Classics performance-the music of the Beach Boys with favorites like Wouldn't it be Nice, California Girls, Kokomo, and more!

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Delicious Melodies | Sat April 28, 2012 | 8pm

This Classical Concert is sponsored by Essentia Health

Markand Thakar, conductor

Rachmaninoff's Piano Concertos, particularly No. 2 and 3, consistently bring audiences to their feet with soaring melodies. Debussy's dreamy depiction of light includes a wordless chorus. The composer of "Finlandia" brings a triumphal close.

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Debussy Nocturnes with women of the DSSO Chorus
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 with Alexander Korsantia, piano
Sibelius Symphony No. 3

Dramatic Passions | Sat May 19, 2012 | 8pm

This Classical Concert is sponsored by US Bank

Markand Thakar, conductor

The two completed movements of what may have been intended as a four-movement symphony has become one of Schubert's most performed works. Jonathan Leshnoff is quickly establishing himself as one of America's most gifted composers. Schumann's "Rhenish" was modeled after Beethoven's 3rd and 6th.

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Schubert Symphony No. 8 "Unfinished"
Leshnoff Violin Concerto with Charles Wetherbee, violin
Schumann Symphony No. 3 "Rhenish"

Youth Orchestras Spring Concert | Sun May 20, 2012 | 3pm

Join Sinfonia, Concert Orchestra and Youth Symphony as they present their terrific Spring Concert. Tickets are available in advance at the DSSO office or at the door, day of show. Concert is held at Symphony Hall at the DECC.