Festival Orchestra Concerts

Music can guarantee escape, transporting the listener around the globe more reliably than frequent-flyer miles. Newly appointed music director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Mei-Ann Chen, leads an adventure to the Exotic East and times past with the Russian Rimsky-Korsakov’s orchestral portrayal of the alluring storyteller, Scheherazade (her voice cast for violin). Preceding this panoramic expedition is Dvorák’s exuberant Carnival Overture, originally entitled “Life” because of its vivid images and driving energy. The program center- piece is a Clarinet Concerto by Alan Fletcher, which premiered with the Pittsburgh Symphony in 2008. The Festival’s own Michael Rusinek, who debuted the work as principal clarinet in Pittsburgh, steps in front of the orchestra as soloist for these performances.
 

An interview with clarinetist Michael Rusinek about the world premiere of the Fletcher Clarinet Concerto