CAPE ANN SYMPHONY

THE 59th SEASON

Yoichi Udagawa, Music Director

Cape Ann Symphony proudly announces their 59th concert season. Founded in Gloucester in 1952, the Cape Ann Symphony is a professional orchestra of over 70 players from throughout the New England area. Conductor Yoichi Udagawa has been leading the orchestra since 2000. According to Udagawa, ‘We are really excited about the 59th Season of the Cape Ann Symphony. We open the season with Magical Classics in September with the music of Beethoven, Chopin, and Mendelssohn. Our soloist is the 12 year old pianist Kadar Qian. He is absolutely one of the most remarkable young talents I’ve ever come across. Holiday Pops will be a perfect opening to the holiday season, and we’ll be joined by the Cape Ann Symphony Singers directed by the incomparable Wendy Betts. In March, we will be premiering two new concertos for the Koto – an ancient Japanese instrument which can trace its development back almost 1300 years. Our season closes with the world renown and Boston area favorite baritone ‘ Robert Honeysucker, joining the orchestra in a pops concert featuring the best of light classical music with popular selections from film and American musical theater.’

New for the 59th season Cape Ann Symphony has added an Open Rehearsal to the season schedule. In addition to the regularly scheduled season opening Magical Classics concert on Saturday, September 25 at 8:00 P.M., the orchestra will hold an Open Rehearsal on Friday, September 24 at 7:30 P.M. at Fuller Auditorium. Admission to the Open Rehearsal is free and Conductor Udagawa will take questions from the audience following the rehearsal. Cape Ann Symphony Board President Tom Class explains the Open Rehearsal, ‘The open rehearsal is an opportunity for Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra fans to get a behind the scenes look at the process the orchestra and conductor go through in preparation for a performance. For those new to classical music, it’s a great chance to come see, hear, and experience in a non concert setting how an incredible group of musicians from one of the finest regional orchestras in the country works together to create great classical music.’ Conductor Udagawa adds, ‘I am looking forward to the Open Rehearsal for the season opening concert. It is a great opportunity to take our audience behind the scenes and show what it takes to prepare for the concert and I am so eager to answer questions!’ ‘The Cape Ann Symphony concerts are held at the Fuller Auditorium located at Blackburn Circle, Route 128, Gloucester, MA. Fuller Auditorium is handicapped accessible. Season subscriptions are available. For season subscriptions, tickets and information, call 978-281-0543 or visit www.capeannsymphony.org

MAGICAL CLASSICS

Open Rehearsal: Friday, September 24, 2010 7:30 P.M.

Performance: Saturday, September 25, 2010 8:00 P.M.

Cape Ann Symphony kicks off the 59th concert season with Magical Classics featuring Beethoven, Chopin and Mendelssohn on Saturday, September 25 at 8 pm. Twelve year old piano prodigy Kadar Qian makes his Cape Ann Symphony debut with Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2. The youngest ever winner of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra’s Concerto Competition, Qian was last year’s co-winner of the Steinway Society Piano Competition in his age division. His impressive performance credits include Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall and the Indian Hill Summer Festival. The Magical Classics concert program also includes Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture and Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony.

THE MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS

Saturday, November 27, 2010 8:00 P.M.

Sunday, November 28, 2010 2:00 P.M.

The Cape Ann Symphony’s annual Holiday Pops Concert: The Magic of the Holidays is set for Saturday, November 27 at 8 pm & Sunday, November 28 at 2 pm. Cape Ann Symphony welcomes back the return of the Cape Ann Singers led by Choral Director Wendy Betts. This festive evening of music for all ages features holiday favorites by the Cape Ann Singers as well as the Symphony performing many holiday classics such as Anderson’s Christmas Festival, Bach’s Little Suite, Humperdinck’s Prelude to Hansel and Gretel, Pierpont’s Tintinabulations and Mozart’s Overture to the Magic Flute.

KOTO MAGIC

Featuring World Premiere Works For Koto and Orchestra

Sunday, March 27, 2011 2:00 P.M.

Koto soloist Yuki Yasuda joins the Cape Ann Symphony for Koto Magic on Sunday, March 27 at 2 pm. The Koto is an ancient Japanese instrument whose origins can be traced back 1300 years. Ms. Yasuda will perform two world premiere concertos written by Takashi Koto and Martin Schreiner for this ancient instrument in her debut performance with Cape Ann Symphony. She studied with the koto music masters Tadao Sawai and Kazue Sawai and graduated from the NHK School for Performers of Traditional Japanese Instruments. Ms. Yasuda has toured worldwide as a member of several Koto and Japanese traditional music ensembles. She also performs in the Japanese rock band she founded with her husband. The Koto Magic concert program also features the orchestra performing Rossini’s Overture to Italian Lady in Algiers (L’italiana in Algeri) and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8.

SPRING POPS

Saturday, May 21, 2011 8:00 P.M.

The Cape Ann Symphony celebrates spring with the Spring Pops Concert on Saturday, May 21 at 8 pm. The lively concert features internationally renowned and New England favorite baritone Robert Honeysucker. He is known for his opera, concert and recital performances. In his debut performance with Cape Ann Symphony he sings Selections from Old American Songs by Copland. The concert also includes Wagner’s Meistersinger Overture, Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 1 and No. 5, Elgar’s Sospiri, Williams’ Schindler’s List Theme and The Flight to Neverland, Rogers’ Oklahoma, Sousa’s Semper Fidelis and Tchaikovsky’s Finale to the 1812 Overtur