Maestro Daniel Stewart conducts Inaugural Concert October 5 & 6

New Baton Directs Santa Cruz County Symphony’s 2013/14 Season

“Celebration” concert features Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony, and world-renowned pianist, Jeffrey Kahane performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25

The moment Santa Cruz County classical music lovers have been waiting for has arrived! Daniel Stewart- composer, violist, conductor of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindeman Program and the overwhelming audience and musician favorite of the 5 conductor candidates who led the orchestra in the previous season- will step onto the podium and lead the Santa Cruz County Symphony as its new Music Director on Saturday, October 5, 8 pm at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium and Sunday, October 6, 2 pm at Watsonville’s Mello Center. The excitement in the air is palpable. Audiences will soon see what new direction the charismatic young conductor will lead the 55 year old organization.

The concert opens festively with the lively, bubbly overture to Johann Strauss’ famous opera, Die Fledermaus (the Bat). Then, to make his first concert truly special, Maestro Stewart will welcome to the stage the great Jeffrey Kahane to perform Mozart’s majestic Piano Concerto No. 25.

Kahane is well known in the classical music world as both a talented pianist. He took First Prize at the Rubenstein Competition and was a finalist at the Van Cliburn Competition. He’s performed with Grammy Winners Joshua Bell, Dawn Upshaw and Thomas Quasthoff and recorded with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, the New World Symphony and the Cincinnati Symphony.

The concert concludes with Tchaikovsky’s towering Fourth Symphony. This dramatic yet lyrical masterpiece was the culmination of a series of powerful works by Tchaikovsky, following a period of intense personal tragedy in the composer’s life. Tchaikovsky said the work was about “that fateful force which prevents the impulse to happiness from attaining its goal, which jealously ensures that peace and happiness shall not be complete and unclouded.”

Maestro Stewart beams with enthusiasm about working with the orchestra: “We look forward to playing our very best, to creating musical magic, to providing overwhelming experiences, and to inspiring people to listen deeply.” He notes the upcoming season’s repertoire is “some of the greatest music ever written.”

Free Pre-Concert talks take place before both performances: at 7 PM in the Civic Auditorium, prior to the Saturday evening concert; and at 1 PM in the Watsonville Mello Center, prior to the Sunday matinee concert. The Pre-concert talks are free and open to all concertgoers.

Tickets: Single tickets ($22-$67) are now on sale: 831.420.5260 or SantaCruzTickets.com

2013/14 Symphony Season Tickets are available by calling 462-0553, ext. 10. First-Time Season-Ticket Buyers can take part in a special 2 for 1 season ticket promotion available until October 1st.

Information: Visit SantaCruzSymphony.org

Student Rush: On the day of the concert, bring a Student ID to the box office between 6:30-7:30pm at the Civic Box Office or to the Mello Box Office between 12:30-1:00, and pay just $10!

Season Sponsors: Dorothy Wise, Rowland & Pat Rebele and the Symphony League of Santa Cruz County generously sponsor The 2013/14 season.

Concert Sponsors: The “Celebration” concerts are made possible with support from Burroughs Financial Services & Linda Burroughs Real Estate and by Don & Diane Cooley with Peter & Mary Ann Orr.