Oklahoma City—The Oklahoma City Philharmonic begins its 2022-23 Inasmuch Foundation Classics Season with Opening Night at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Civic Center Music Hall.
“In our season opener we start with a bang--a ‘Big Bang,’ metaphorically speaking,” said Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate, Music Director of the OKCPHIL. “Most people remember Stanley Kubrick’s Space Odyssey 2001. It’s not only an epic story, but also features epic classical music. The sunrise of our civilization burnt itself into my memory through the open fifth and following timpani notes of Richard Strauss’ deeply romantic tone poem Also Sprach Zarathustra.”
Opening Night welcomes back Garrick Ohlsson, one of the world’s most formidable piano soloists, with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 Emperor. In addition to Richard Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” the program will includes Gabriela Lena Frank’s “Escaramuza.”
“Music, to me personally, is the ultimate reflection of the inner feelings of the composer—but put into sounds,” Mickelthwate said. “This season, we will take you on a journey through multiple composers where you will experience an array of sounds and feelings. The canvas of a composer is literally alive: musicians playing their music. From a single piano or guitar to a full symphony orchestra.”
The new Inasmuch Classics Season also includes Mahler’s Vienna in October, superstar violinist Joshua Bell in April, and a tribute to civil rights icon Clara Luper next May.
The Chickasaw Nation Pops Series kicks off Nov. 4 with a 90th birthday celebration and the music of John Williams. Grammy nominee Michael Feinstein headlines an all-new Christmas extravaganza “Coming Home for Christmas” in early December, and “An Evening with Kelli O’Hara” features the Oklahoma native and Tony Award winner in concert with OKCPHIL in February.
Recently added is a classic movie event on Thanksgiving weekend--the 1990 holiday film “Home Alone.” It stars Macaulay Culkin as a precocious 8-year-old who is mistakenly left home alone during the holidays.
“After a Thanksgiving Day full of turkey, and then the mad shopping of Black Friday, ‘Home Alone’ gives families a chance to relax with a favorite old movie,” Mickelthwate said. “And hearing your OKCPHIL play the soundtrack live on stage will be like seeing a classic in an entirely new light.”
OKCPHIL presents Home Alone Saturday, Nov. 26, beginning at 8 p.m. at Civic Center Music Hall.
The full season concert lineup and ticket information can be found at www.okcphil.org