Detroit Symphony Orchestra Announces 2010-11 Classical Season; Leonard Slatkin Continues with DSO Through 2012-13

DETROIT, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) announced today programming for its 2010-11 Classical Subscription Series and an extension of Music Director Leonard Slatkin's contract another two years through the 2012-13 season.  

Thus demonstrating his commitment to the orchestra, its audiences and the communities of metro Detroit, Slatkin made adjustments in compensation and will contribute conducting and community weeks without pay.  He emphasized that it is the spirit and excellence of the DSO musicians and the support of its audiences and administration that led him to make an extended commitment.

"Over the course of my early tenure with the Detroit Symphony, I have come to love everything that this organization represents.  We have great musicians, a great hall and a great team of hard working staff and board.  It is vitally important that every component do as much as possible to insure the continuing excellence of the musical experience.  The pleasure of making music for and with everyone is beyond description, and so I am more than pleased to extend my contract with the DSO."

"This extension exemplifies Leonard's true strength as an institutional leader and his dedication to our collective pursuit of a bright and successful future for the DSO.  I am thrilled on behalf of the metro Detroit community that the DSO's work will continue to be inspired and supported through Leonard's confirmed and extended commitment," said Anne Parsons, President and CEO.

Balancing his musical thinking with new and under-performed works, the 2010-11 season abounds with "the Slatkin touch," in which audiences are exposed to a wide spectrum of exciting music, both new and familiar.

As the DSO and Slatkin enter their third season of working together, they remain committed to performing the standard repertoire at the highest level while also championing the works of contemporary composers, collaborating with stellar conductors and guest artists, expanding the reach of the orchestra through recording, and engaging audiences everywhere.

With the 2010-11 season, core repertoire will be presented in new ways, including a condensed three-week concert cycle of Beethoven's nine symphonies, and new arrangements of well-known works, such as Prokofiev's Cinderella Suite.  In addition, a number of concerti and symphonies will be presented to Detroit audiences for the first time, and 10 great American works of the last century will be revisited, including William Schuman's American Festival Overture, Leonard Bernstein's On the Town: Three Dance Episodes, and George Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F.  

"Welcome to our 2010-11 season!" said Slatkin.  "With all nine Beethoven Symphonies anchoring the year, I can promise a truly exciting adventure into both familiar and unfamiliar musical worlds.  All of us at the DSO are energized by the variety of presentations and repertoire.  Please join us for this extraordinary year."

Subscription packages (only) are on sale now and range from $120 to $1,113.  For tickets and information call the box office at (313) 576-5111 or visit www.detroitsymphony.com. Single tickets to all DSO presentations will go on sale in August 2010.  

To view the entire news release with detail on all concerts and a full calendar, please visit http://blog.detroitsymphony.com/category/press-releases/

SOURCE Detroit Symphony Orchestra