The Oklahoma City Philharmonic, announces details of the 2019-2020 season, in preparation for Alexander Mickelthwate, Music Director’s second season. Audiences will relish the experience of popular compositions in the classical music genre that are sure to please, and will equally look forward to the fresh and unique pairings of Alexanders programming choices.
The Classical Season
Classics Opening night, September 14, 2019 features the beloved Beethoven Symphony No. 5 in C minor, op.67 and includes selections that celebrate the contrasting spirit of the 21st Century, with an intriguing dash of Oklahoma history. The opening arrangement will highlight Oklahoma’s cultural heritage, and will feature Tim Nevaquaya, Native American Flute and John Hamilton, drummer and singer. A first for the OKCPHIL, Arutiunian’s Trumpet concerto will spotlight Matilda Lloyd, trumpet.
October 5, 2019 classics is inspired by the magical film music from the movie “Life of Pi”. Several compositions beacon the listener to journey with the music to distant lands. Included in this program are South Asian musicians, including Academy Award nominated, Indian Carnatic music vocalist Bombay Jayashri. Additionally the program includes Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, op.33a; Michael Danna’s Suite from “Life of Pi” with flute and Poorvalur Sriji, kanjira, Wijerante’s Yatra, and a special feature from young composer Dacey Tietz from the El Sistema Oklahoma program, Adventurous Voyage for full orchestra. Rounding out this rich musical program is Debussy’s beloved master piece La Mer.
November 2, 2019, the third classics in the series will delight audiences with a program featuring “Italian Gems” with the Godfather trilogy as a point of inspiration for Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate. Included in the program are Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in B minor, op. 7 with Benjamin Schmid, violin; Respighi’s Fountains of Rome; Verdi’s Te Deum with special guests Canterbury Voices and men from Oklahoma City University’s choral music program as well as Morricone’s Gabriel’s Oboe from “The Mission”.
The fourth classics concert on November 23, 2019 features guest conductor Gerard Schwarz. He is best known as Music Director of the All-Star Orchestra, an ensemble of top musicians from America’s leading orchestras featured in television programs that have aired throughout the United States. The program features Berlioz Overture to Béatrice et Bénédict; Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, op. 107 with Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt; Ravel Suite No. 1 from Daphnis and Chloe; Ravel Suite No. 2 from Daphnis and Chloe.
“Minimalism in a Big New World” is the title of the fifth classics program on January 11, 2020 featuring Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 in G major, op. 88; Glass’s Violin Concerto No. 1 featuring renowned artist Jennifer Koh, violin, and a daring choice Zappa’s The Dog Breath Variations of which Mickelthwate says, “American cult musician, Frank Zappa, draws inspiration from Jazz, Blues and Rock, and his Dog Breath Variations for orchestra is absolutely fun and refreshing.”
On February 1, 2020 audiences will enjoy a program that takes us from the dramatic to the sublime. It features Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, op. 21 with Ingrid Fliter, piano; Kancheli’s Dixi and closing out the program is R. Strauss’s Death and Transfiguration, a piece which seems to musically portray death transcending into a more beautiful version of life.
February 2020’s classics seven program entitled “Colliding Contrasts” features Anna Clyne’s RIFT with special choreography by New York based choreographer Larry Keigwin, and the massive, awe inspiring, Bruckner Symphony No. 7 in E major.
Closing out the season audiences will thrill to the OKCPHIL premiere of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, a work that created a musical scandal in 1913 with its raw, hypnotic, exciting score. This will be partnered on the program with Jonny Greenwood’s Grammy nominated Suite from “There Will Be Blood”; and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, op. 23 featuring Alain Lefèvre, piano.
The Pops Season
The Pops season opens with Broadway star Megan Hilty as the headliner on November 8-9 2019. Come enjoy an evening of Broadway, TV and classics movie favorites with star Megan Hilty. With a vibrant career which includes playing Glinda both on Broadway and in the National Tour of WICKED, as well as the star of the TV show SMASH, Hilty is celebrated for her vocal versatility and commanding stage presence. Says Limelight Magazine “Exceptional voice. Staggering versatility”.
On December 5-7 audiences will delight in The Christmas Show everyone’s favorite family holiday tradition. Enjoy the OKCPHIL, Santa, the POPS Chorale and the Mistletoes as well as Santa’s jolly helpers and Broadway star Max von Essen. Come welcome the holiday’s season in OKC Style. This musical theater style production is sure to warm your heart, lift your spirits and create memories to last a lifetime.
January 24-25, 2020 we welcome Raiders of the Lost Ark played live to the epic score by composer John Williams. The film that gave the world one of its greatest movie heroes, Indiana Jones, is back and better than ever before! Re-live the magic on the silver screen with the original big screen adventure complete with our full symphony orchestra!
Get ready to feel happy when Mariachi Los Camperos joins us February 21 & 22, 2020.
For more than 50 years, the GRAMMY Award-winning ensemble has celebrated the rich vocal tradition of Mexico with a lively program featuring the country’s most beloved songs. Explore the works of Mexico’s many internationally renowned songwriters, highlighting the exquisite voices within Mariachi Los Camperos in this exciting concert.
March 20-21, 2020 come and delight in Jersey Boys and Girls! The Garden State has given the world some of the most incredible musicians of all time. Join us for a musical extravaganza honoring the iconic artists from New Jersey: Bruce Springsteen, the Four Seasons, Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick, Lesley Gore and more. Expect such hits My Eyes Adored You, That's Life!, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, I Will Always Love You, What the World Needs Now and more.
Closing out the 19-20 pops season, Frank and Ella, starring Oklahoma City favorite, Tony DeSare and the talented Capathia Jenkins, May 1 - 2, 2020. Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald were the undisputed singing stars of their era, and they ignited the stage when they joined forces. Hear their hit classics such as The Lady is a Tramp, They Can't Take That Away from Me, Body and Soul, and many more.