Annual Report 2006 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra

InspiringThe Detroit Symphony Orchestra shines as asymbol of artistic excellence for the City ofDetroit and the State of Michigan. Followinga season culminating Neeme Järvi’s acclaimed 15-yeartenure, 2005-06 Classical programming highlighted theOrchestra’s distinct musical personality; the individualexcellence of its players; its extraordinary ensembleabilities; and its unique nimbleness and flexibilityacross varied repertoire. This was evident in dynamiccollaborations with a diverse roster of guest conductors;a dazzling array of world-class guest artists; and a widerange of artistic projects and explorations.Concertmaster Emmanuelle Boisvert and Assistant Concertmaster Hai-Xin Wu“It is an excitingtime to be amusician inthe DSO as weactively pursue the‘artistic excellenceideal,’ striving forthe highest possible quality in each ofour artistic endeavors. Our approach tomusic making is genuine and open; andthe camaraderie and respect on-stagemake it possible to collaborate with avariety of conductors and engage in newelements of performance with a “go forit” attitude. Moving with the spirit ofeach and every performance, the DetroitSymphony Orchestra’s joy in makingmusic transcends the stage and engagesthe audience in a pride of ownershipshared by the community at large.”—Shelley Heron, Oboe, DSOShowcasing the virtuosic abilities ofits players, the DSO offered a first-everseries of “Concertos for Orchestra”encompassing works by Hindemith,Kodály, Bartók, Lutosławski and Vivaldi. Ahalf-dozen other programs featured DSOmembers in solo capacities, presentingrepertoire ranging from concertos forBox level at Orchestra Hallcello, French horn and bassoon; to worksof the Baroque masters; to the DSO debutof a Pulitzer Prize-winning percussionconcerto titled Déjà vu for PercussionQuartet and Orchestra by Americancomposer Michael Colgrass. The DSO’scommitment to the music of our timewas continued through programming ofworks by Kernis, Lutosławski, Previn,Weill and others.A destination for the world’sgreatest artists, Orchestra Hallplayed host to the debuts ofconductors Sir Roger Norringtonand JoAnn Falleta, and returningluminaries such as Yo-Yo Ma,Midori, Peter Serkin, James Conlonand Kathleen Battle. MaestroRafael Frühbeck de Burgos ledthe DSO in four performances ofBeethoven’s Ninth Symphony, achievingcritical acclaim and setting a new, alltimesales record for a Classical Seriesweekend. Celebrated conductor CharlesDutoit made his first Detroit appearancein two decades, conducting Dukas,Ravel and Stravinsky; and pianist AlfredBrendel made a rare recital appearanceperforming works by Haydn, Schubertand Mozart.Pops programming in 2005-06attracted record numbers, exceedingprojections by more than 40%. Five“Home for the Holidays” concertsbroke previous Pops single ticketrecords in December; and thatrecord was broken again a monthlater by five performances of“The Music of Star Wars.” Inaddition, special concerts,“It was a delightto reacquaintmyself with theDetroit SymphonyOrchestra, a wonderful ensemblethat I had not conducted since 1986.Orchestra Hall’s acoustics rival the mostexceptional concert halls in the world,and I very much look forward to myreturn!”– Charles Dutoit, Conductor