The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Announces 2013-2014 “Season of Discovery”

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Julien Benichou, will return to the Eastern Shore and Sussex County, DE for its 2013-14 “Season of Discovery” with a series of five concerts.

The season premiere in October 2013 will feature two “Great Masterworks,” Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 35 and Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 in C Major, D. 944. The concert will showcase multifaceted and compelling French violinist Arnaud Sussmann who has performed throughout the United States and worldwide earning the highest praise from both critics and audiences alike.

The MSO will usher in the holiday season in early December with an exciting program of orchestral and vocal music, including traditional seasonal favorites. A frequent guest artist at the Metropolitan Opera and other prestigious opera houses around the world, bass-baritone Kevin Short will be joined by the wonderful soprano Esther Jane Hardenbergh and University of Miami Frost School of Music Vocalists for what promises to be one of the most memorable “Holiday Joy” programs ever.

In March, the MSO presents “Seven Seasons,” an enticing All-Strings program, featuring the MSO’s own violinists, Concertmaster Nicholas Currie and Associate Concertmistress Dana Weiderhold. Maestro Benichou will premier his newest composition, Three Seasons of Chicago, in addition to conducting Piazzolla’s The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires and Tchaikovksy’s famed Serenade for Strings.

In April, Norweigan-born Tine Thing Helseth, without doubt one of the leading trumpet soloists of her generation, will join the MSO to “Sound the Trumpet” in Hummel’s delightfully virtuosic Trumpet Concerto preceded by Mozart’s deeply moving Symphony Number 40 in G Minor and ending with Bach and Vivaldi’s Concerto in D Major, BMV 972.

The MSO will conclude its Season Series with “An Organ Sensation” in May featuring Handel’s exciting Water Music, Suite No. 2 followed by Poulenc’s enthralling Organ Concerto in G Minor, FP 93, performed by phenomenal German concert organist Felix Hell, on his amazingly powerful instrument that will be transported to each venue, and finally, Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73.

The concerts are performed at the Easton Church of God, Easton, MD on Thursday evening at 7:30pm, at Mariner’s Bethel Chuch, Ocean View, DE on Saturday evenings at 7:30pm, and at the Community Church, Ocean Pines, MD on Sunday afternoons at 3:00pm. A pre-concert lecture discussing the composers and compositions takes place at 6:45pm in Ocean View and a 2:25pm in Ocean Pines.

For the December concert, there are several changes. First, no pre-concert lectures will be held. The December concert in Easton will be held at the Avalon Theater instead of at the Easton Church of God. The concert at Mariner’s Bethel Church will be held on Friday evening, instead of on Saturday. The MSO is thrilled to announce that the December concert will also be performed at Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes, DE on Saturday evening at 7:30pm. And on Sunday, the orchestra will perform at Ocean Pines’ Community Church at 7:30pm, in addition to the 3:00pm performance.

Season subscriptions are $145. Single concert tickets are $35 ($40 for the December concert). A limited number of complimentary tickets are available to 18-year-olds and under; however, reservations for these tickets must be made in advance. For more information or to order subscription or individual concert tickets, please call 1-888-846-8600 or visit the MSO website, www.midatlanticsymphony.org to download the season brochure and ticket order form.

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, a non-profit organization, is supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Maryland State Arts Council, the Talbot County Arts Council, the Worcester County Arts Council, the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, the Sussex County Council, the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, M&T Bank, BB&T Bank, PNC Bank, and Choptank Electric, as well as donations from individuals, organizations, and corporations.