Concerts & Events

Signature Symphony announces 2011-12 season schedule

Call 918-595-7777 to reserve season tickets

The 2011-12 season will mark the 33rd anniversary of the Signature Symphony, under the direction of founder G. Barry Epperley. The orchestra will present five Signature Classics and five Signature Pops concerts at its home theater, the VanTrease PACE.

The Nov. 5 concert will feature the world premiere of a symphonic work by Tulsa composer Joseph Rivers, based on the lives of five Oklahomans who made an impact on the state's history. The concert will also feature the Signature Chorale in Randall Thompson's "Frostiana," and the orchestra's wind section in the Sinfonia Concertante by Mozart.

The orchestra will showcase two winners from the International Tchaikovsky Competition that will be held in June in Moscow. The gold medalist in the piano competition will be the soloist for the Oct. 1 concert, performing the Piano Concerto No. 1 as part of an all-Tchaikovsky program.

The winner of the cello competition will perform with the orchestra on Feb. 11, 2012. This concert will feature two works of English composer Edward Elgar - his Cello Concerto and the "Enigma Variations."

Violinist Bella Hristova, first-prize winner of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions in 2009, will be the soloist for the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto on March 10, 2012. The concert, led by guest conductor Piotr Sulkowski, will also feature the Symphony No. 5 by Mahler.

Gustav Holst's enduring piece "The Planets" will be the highlight of the April 21, 2012, concert. This performance will include Colin Matthews' addition of "Pluto," which had not been discovered when Holst wrote the piece. Mahler's "Kindertotenlieder" and John Adams' "Short Ride in a Fast Machine" complete the evening.

The Signature Pops season begins Sept. 23-24 with "Cirque de la Symphonie," an evening that combines the acrobatics and clowning of "cirque"-style performances with live symphonic accompaniment.

Tulsa father-son piano duo Donald and Barron Ryan will be the guests for the Oct. 14-15 concerts, performing duo piano renditions of Saint-Saens' "Carnival of the Animals," along with Scott Joplin and other favorites.

The orchestra's annual Christmas concerts, Dec. 9-10, will showcase Oklahoma-born opera star Sarah Coburn, who has performed the title roles in Tulsa Opera productions of "Lakme" and "Lucia di Lammermoor."

The Signature Big Band will have the VanTrease PACE stage to itself for the Feb. 24-25 concerts, performing music from the "golden age" of big band jazz and swing.

The Pops season concludes March 23-24 with a concert titled "Signature Symphony Reflections," which will be a look back at some of the orchestra's most popular performances.

Season tickets are $115-$184.50 for the Signature Pops series, and $92.25-$138.50 for the Signature Classics series. For more information call 918-595-7777 or visit tulsaworld.com/signaturesymphony.

Courtesy By JAMES D. WATTS JR. World Scene Writer
Published: 3/20/2011 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 3/20/2011 4:25 AM

Reserve Your Seats Now for Signature Symphony Pops and Classics!

In our 32nd season, the Signature Symphony is celebrating with many of our favorite artists and composers (and yours) as well as introducing new and dynamic artists to the Signature stage. Check out our TTCU Signature Pops Series 2011-12, and our Williams Signature Classics Series. You can order your tickets online, or call our ticket office at 918-595-7777.

And don't forget to check out our Performance Plus! lecture performance series for the best of Tulsa's classical soloists and ensembles, plus entertaining and educational composer discussions by Dr. Barry Epperley. Performance Plus! season tickets can be ordered through the PACE Box Office at 918-595-7777.