2011-2012 Concert Schedule

Special Event - 80th Anniversary Gala Dinner | September 17, 2011 | 5:30 - 7:30pm | Lake Superior Ballroom (DECC)

Join with us as we kick off our new season.

Classical 1 - Daring Virtuosity | September 17, 2011 | 8pm | Rei Hotoda, conductor
Sponsored by Wells Fargo Private Client Services

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

The 80th Anniversary Season opener 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.

Classical 2 - Dazzling Endings | October 1, 2011 | 8pm | Dirk Meyer, conductor

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

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.

Special Event - 2nd Annual DONALEE Fundraiser for the DSSO | Thursday, October 20, 2011 | Northland Country Club

The artistry of DONALEE DESIGNS returns for the second annual dazzling fundraising event to help support the DSSO. Hailing from Bayfield, DONALEE DESIGNS specializes in high quality, sterling silver gemstone jewelry that draws inspiration from nature. Click here for a peek.

Pops 1 - Motown Magic featuring The Contours | November 5, 2011 | 8pm | David Danzmayr, conductor
Co-sponsored by The Bubalo Lawien Family Wealth Group of RBC

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.

Classical 3 - Divine Inspirations | November 19, 2011 | 8pm | Mariusz Smolij, conductor

Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet
Kilar Exodus [DSSO Chorus]
Ravel Daphnis and Chloe, Suite No. 2
Respighi Pines of Rome

Special Event - New Year's Eve with the Peking Acrobats | December 31, 2011 | 7:30pm | AMSOIL Arena | 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. We hold them up with an equally astonishing score.

Classical 4 - Delicate Grace | January 21, 2012 | 8pm | David Danzmayr, conductor

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

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.

Pops 2 - Sibling Revelry featuring Ann Hampton Callaway and Liz Callaway | February 11, 2012 | 8pm | 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 showstoppers, solos, and bit of good-natured sparring.

Classical 5 - Defiant Moments | March 24, 2012 | 8pm | Bohuslav Rattay, conductor

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

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!

Family Special - Old Turtle Family Concert | March 31, 2012 | 7pm | Dirk Meyer, conductor
Sponsored by North Shore Bank of Commerce

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.

Pops 3 - Endless Summer, An Evening of Beach Boy Favorites | April 14, 2012 | 8pm | 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!

Classical 6 - Delicious Melodies | April 28, 2012 | 8pm | Markand Thakar, conductor

Debussy Nocturnes [Women of the DSSO Chorus]
Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 [Alexander Korsantia, piano]
Sibelius Symphony No. 3

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.

Classical 7 - Dramatic Passions | May 19, 2012 | 8pm | Markand Thakar, conductor

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

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.