NEW PROGRAMS AND UPDATES 2023–24 Season Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra

Tickets on Sale to the Public July 28, 2023 

Nézet-Séguin leads 125th Anniversary Celebration of Deutsche Grammophon, featuring María Dueñas and Hélène Grimaud on December 8  

Six Carnegie Hall performances added, including four led by Nézet-Séguin, Principal Guest Conductor Nathalie Stutzmann’s first Carnegie Hall performance with the Orchestra, and an evening with John Williams and Yo-Yo Ma 

Four Family Concerts added, including the Music of Superheroes, the Children’s Holiday Spectacular, The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, and Music from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons

 

(Philadelphia, July 25, 2023)—As Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra prepare for the 2023–24 season, changes have been made to select programs and additional concerts have been included.  

The Orchestra will commemorate the 125th anniversary of the legendary record label Deutsche Grammophon with a one-night-only performance highlighting the influential and diverse roster of musicians represented by the label. Nézet-Séguin will lead the concert, which features violinist María Dueñas, and pianist Hélène Grimaud (Dec. 8). 

Six Carnegie Hall performances have been added, including four led by Nézet-Séguin: a continuation of Rachmaninoff’s 150th birthday celebration with performances of the composer’s Symphonic Dances and Symphony No. 2 (Oct. 17); an evening of 20th-century masterworks featuring Stravinsky’s Petrushka, Weill’s Symphony No. 2, and the centennial celebration of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the Marcus Roberts Trio (Jan. 23); an all-Mahler program, featuring songs by Alma Mahler with mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill paired with Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 7 (April 12); and the New York premiere of Valerie Coleman’s Concerto for Orchestra (a Philadelphia Orchestra co-commission) alongside Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, featuring Mitsuko Uchida, and Debussy’s La Mer (May 31). Additional Philadelphia Orchestra concerts at Carnegie Hall include an evening with John Williams and Yo-Yo Ma, featuring performances of selections from the composer’s iconic film scores and Cello Concerto (Feb. 22), and Principal Guest Conductor Nathalie Stutzmann’s first performance with the Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, leading Mozart’s Requiem and Schumann’s Symphony No. 4 (April 30).  

Four Family Concerts have been added to the 2023–24 season, including a musical celebration of beloved superheroes (Oct. 14); the annual Children’s Holiday Spectacular (Dec. 16); Benjamin Britten’s introduction to instruments in The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, narrated by Michael Boudewyns and Sara Valentine (Feb. 10); and selections from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, featuring Concertmaster David Kim (April 6). As part of the Kimmel Cultural Campus’s Family Discovery Series, the Orchestra will celebrate the holidays with its first performances of Elf™ in Concert, featuring a screening of the holiday classic with the score performed live (Dec. 22–23).  

An updated chronological calendar can be found here. 

Please note that these updates supersede previous press materials related to these concerts.  

Tickets go on sale to the public on July 28 at www.philorch.org or by calling 215.893.1999.  

The 2023–24 season is a musical journey of discovery, beauty, and inspiration. From suggesting a new perspective on the 20th-century American orchestral sound to a more inclusive idea of composition in the 21st century, the season is imbued with Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s singular sense of joy, curiosity, and exploration. 

                                                                                                                          

September 28—Opening Night 

Time Change: The concert start time has been changed to 7:00 PM. 

                                                                                                                          

October 6–8—Trifonov Plays Gershwin 

Program Title Change: The previous program title, Trifonov Plays Brahms, has been replaced with Trifonov Plays Gershwin. 

Repertoire Change: Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 1 has been replaced with Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F.  

                                                                                                                          

Event Addition—Family Concert: Music of Superheroes  

October 14 at 11:30 AM—Saturday morning—Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts  

Tristan Rais-Sherman Conductor   

The Orchestra is in trouble, and we need your help! Take to the sky (or Broad Street) and join us for a super Saturday performance as we bring to life the themes from the incredible movies, TV shows, and more that unlocked the love of superheroes in all of us. Dress up as your favorite superhero and get ready to save the day in Verizon Hall.  

                                                                                                                          

Event Addition—Carnegie Hall  

October 17 at 8:00 PM—Tuesday evening—Carnegie Hall  

Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor  

Higdon Fanfare Ritmico  

Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances  

Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2  

Rachmaninoff’s favorite ensemble was The Philadelphia Orchestra; “the greatest orchestra in the world,” he called it. In this concert, the Orchestra performs two of his most important pieces, including his last major work: Symphonic Dances. It was dedicated to The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the ensemble played its premiere in January 1941, just days before it performed the New York premiere at Carnegie Hall. His Second Symphony, a much earlier creation, was an enduring favorite that Rachmaninoff conducted with The Philadelphia Orchestra in 1909 and which received its US premiere at Carnegie Hall. The program opens with the brisk, propulsive excitement of Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Higdon’s Fanfare Ritmico. 

                                                                                                                          

November 17–18—Beethoven’s “Pastoral” Symphony  

Repertoire Update: Julia Wolfe’s new work has been removed from this program and Reena Esmail’s RE|Member has been added.  

                                                                                                                          

Event Addition—Deutsche Grammophon 125th Anniversary Celebration           

December 8 at 7:30 PM—Friday evening—Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts  

Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor    

María Dueñas Violin    

Hélène Grimaud Piano     

Founded in 1889, the record label Deutsche Grammophon is legendary for its roster of extraordinary artists. Headlining this spectacular 125th Anniversary Celebration are three of those artists.   

Astonishing young violinist María Dueñas has elicited incredible and glowing reviews for her virtuosity: “Young blood, vintage playing … Dueñas’s artistry is reminiscent of that of the great masters” (La Nueva España). The great pianist Hélène Grimaud has won worldwide acclaim for the “crackling vitality” and “soulful playing” (The New York Times) of her passionate performances and recordings. And Your Philadelphia Orchestra Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin has released dozens of acclaimed recordings with the label, including the GRAMMY-winning Philadelphia Orchestra recording of Florence Price’s Symphonies Nos. 1 and 3.  

                                                                                                                          

Event Addition—Family Concert: Children’s Holiday Spectacular  

December 16 at 11:30 AM—Saturday morning—Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts  

Austin Chanu Conductor   

Do you hear the sleigh bells jingling? Ring, ting, tingling too? The holidays are finally here and so is everyone’s favorite family tradition! Celebrate with Your Philadelphia Orchestra and fill your Saturday with sing-alongs, sounds of the season, and special guests. And make sure you listen closely—you never know who might pay a special visit to Verizon Hall. 

                                                                                                                          

December 20–21—Messiah 

Artist Additions: Sherezade Panthaki Soprano; Reginald Mobley Countertenor; Thomas Cooley Tenor; Dashon Burton Bass-Baritone (all making their Philadelphia Orchestra debuts) 

                                                                                                                          

Event Addition—Elf in Concert  

December 22 at 7:00 PM—Friday evening—Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts  

December 23 at 2:00 PM—Saturday afternoon—Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts  

Justin Freer Conductor  

Debney Elf (complete with film)—First Philadelphia Orchestra Performances  

Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father. This holiday season relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as The Philadelphia Orchestra plays every note of John Debney’s wonderful score live to picture in Elf™ in Concert!   

ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc. (s23)   

                                                                                                                          

Event Addition—Carnegie Hall 

January 23 at 8:00 PM—Tuesday evening—Carnegie Hall 

Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor 

Marcus Roberts Trio 

Stravinsky Petrushka  

Weill Symphony No. 2  

Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue  

The Philadelphia Orchestra and Marcus Roberts Trio present a 20th-century musical feast that’s perfect both for newcomers and afficionados, beginning with the magical storytelling of Stravinsky’s Petrushka. A rare symphonic piece by Kurt Weill follows, sure to impress listeners familiar only with the composer’s theatrical works. Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin calls it “a jewel [from] someone who completely mastered the symphonic world.” Finally, hear Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue like you never have before, as the Marcus Roberts Trio—which has “reinvented” (Chicago Tribune) the masterpiece alongside multiple top orchestras—joins us in celebrating its 100th anniversary. 

                                                                                                                          

January 26–28—Brahms’s German Requiem 

Repertoire Update: The title of the Mason Bates world premiere has been updated to Violin Concerto No. 2. 

                                                                                                                          

Event Addition—Family Concert: The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra  

February 10 at 11:30 AM—Saturday morning—Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts  

Austin Chanu Conductor 

Michael Boudewyns Host and Narrator   

Sara Valentine Host and Narrator 

Take a journey with Your Philadelphia Orchestra as we introduce the instruments of the orchestra through Benjamin Britten’s delightful The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra! Explore the sounds of each unique instrument in this concert perfect for young music lovers and their grownups. 

                                                                                                                          

Event Addition—An Evening with John Williams and Yo-Yo Ma 

February 22 at 7:00 PM—Thursday evening—Carnegie Hall 

John Williams Conductor 

Yo-Yo Ma Cello 

Williams Cello Concerto 

Williams Selections from film scores 

The great John Williams conducts The Philadelphia Orchestra and Yo-Yo Ma in a program of his iconic film scores and the spectacular Cello Concerto. Composed for Ma in 1994, its four movements feature “as much variety and contrast as possible,” notes Williams. The opening Theme and Cadenza casts the cello in a “hero’s role,” while the Blues movement conjures “ghosts of Ellington and Strayhorn.” The Scherzo is about “speed, deftness, and sleight of hand”; while the lyrical finale highlights the “greatest” of Ma’s gifts: his “ability to ‘connect’ with every individual in his audience.” 

                                                                                                                          

Event Addition—Family Concert: Music from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons  

April 6 at 11:30 AM—Saturday morning—Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts  

Tristan Rais-Sherman Conductor   
David Kim Violin   

From big leaf piles and snow angels to sandy beaches and afternoon picnics, each season brings its own magical atmosphere. Now, travel through every time of the year with Your Philadelphia Orchestra with music from Antonio Vivaldi’s iconic The Four Seasons. This family-friendly program stars the violin as our guide through the drama and excitement of the changing seasons.   

                                                                                                                         

Event Addition—Carnegie Hall 

April 12 at 8:00 PM—Friday evening—Carnegie Hall 

Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor 

Karen Cargill Mezzo-soprano 

Alma Mahler Selections from Seven Songs  

Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 7 

Experience a unique take on an all-Mahler program. The concert begins with selected works by Alma Mahler, featuring mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill—who audiences recently enjoyed as soloist in the Orchestra’s performance of Beethoven’s Missa solemnis. Only a small number of Alma Mahler’s songs survive, and they are regrettably underperformed, although noteworthy both musically and historically. The Orchestra then takes audiences on the symphonic journey that is Gustav Mahler’s Seventh, a monumental piece that reveals new interpretive shades with every performance. 

                                                                                                                          

Event Addition—Carnegie Hall 

April 30 at 8:00 PM—Tuesday evening—Carnegie Hall 

Nathalie Stutzmann Conductor 

Schumann Symphony No. 4 

Mozart Requiem 

Nathalie Stutzmann conducts The Philadelphia Orchestra in Mozart’s breathtaking final creation: his Requiem. Drawing from her extensive career as a singer, Stutzmann is uniquely suited to lead this work of grandeur and mystery. The concert also features the popular 1851 revision of Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 4, a work of grand Romanticism notably weightier than its original orchestration.  

                                                                                                                          

May 16–18—Salonen Conducts Daphnis and Chloe  

Artist Addition: Olivier Latry, organ 

Repertoire Change: Saariaho’s Lumière et Pesanteur has been added. Salonen’s Karawane has been replaced with his Sinfonia concertante, for organ and orchestra.  

                                                                                                                          

Event Addition— Carnegie Hall 

May 31 at 8:00 PM—Friday evening—Carnegie Hall 

Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conductor 

Mitsuko Uchida Piano 

Ravel Piano Concerto in G major  

Coleman Concerto for Orchestra  

Debussy La Mer 

The Philadelphia Orchestra performs seminal works by Ravel and Debussy, and continues its celebrated partnership with Valerie Coleman with the New York premiere of her Concerto for Orchestra. Debussy’s La Mer is a perennial favorite, an impressionistic landmark of shimmering colors and suggestive harmonies. Ravel’s jazz-influenced Piano Concerto in G major is a joyful and varied masterpiece, and this ensemble gave its New York premiere in 1932 on this very stage. With this concert, the brilliant Mitsuko Uchida joins a great lineage of pianists to perform it here with this Orchestra.