GM Foundation, Cadillac Help Get DSO to Carnegie Hall

DETROIT, April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The General Motors Foundation and Cadillac will help pave the way from Motown to Manhattan for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra  this May as it prepares to perform at Carnegie Hall for the first time in 17 years.

The GM Foundation provided a $350,000 grant to the DSO for music education initiatives, including its involvement in the prestigious Spring for Music festival that showcases five symphony orchestras from across North America. The DSO is the first orchestra invited to perform two programs during the event.

In addition to funding from the GM Foundation, Cadillac will transport the musicians and a number of special guests during the week-long festival.

"We are celebrating this trip to Carnegie Hall as a symbol of Detroit's resilience and withstanding excellence," said Anne Parsons, DSO president and CEO. "We are thrilled that the General Motors Foundation and Cadillac will be by our side as a partner with Leonard Slatkin and the DSO under the spotlight of this important festival."

The GM Foundation has a long-standing history of supporting the DSO and community arts programs. Over the past decade, the Foundation has donated nearly $1.5 million to the DSO to help bring world-class music to the Detroit community and support the musicians who share a passion for the city. The Foundation's support of Detroit-based nonprofits and cultural institutions over the past decade totals nearly $21.5 million.

"Detroit's revitalization can be seen in the strength of the DSO, which has long been a beacon and cultural pillar within the city's arts community," said GM North America President Mark Reuss, vice chairman of the GM Foundation. "Together with Cadillac, we look forward to the DSO's triumphant return to Carnegie Hall."

About DSO's Carnegie Hall Performances

May 7, 2013
Prior to the DSO performances in New York City, the public is invited to attend a special sendoff concert on May 7 at the DSO's Orchestra Hall in Detroit. All tickets are $25.

May 9, 2013
The first performance will feature Kurt Weill's ballet The Seven Deadly Sins, starring cabaret singer Storm Large on lead vocals. Originally written for Weill's wife, Lotte Lenya, in collaboration with Bertolt Brecht, the work premiered in Paris in 1933 after Weill fled persecution in his native Germany. It tells the tale of what could be two sisters or a split personality as they set out on a tour of American cities each represented by a different sin. The ballet is a bitter satire on bourgeoisie exploitation. Also on the program are Ravel's La Valse, and Rachmaninoff's Caprice Bohemian and Isle of the Dead. Isle of the Dead will appear on the DSO's third and final CD of Rachmaninoff's symphonic works to be released on the Naxos label in 2013.

May 10, 2013
The second performance consists of all four Charles Ives symphonies, a debut for the DSO as well as for Carnegie Hall. Music Director Leonard Slatkin chose an immersion into Ives in pursuit of showcasing the strength, sound, ensemble and style that is uniquely Detroit.

Long known for celebrating American repertoire through recordings and commissions, telling Ives' biographical story through the consecutive performances of all his symphonic works serves as a tribute to both Slatkin's affinity for American compositions and Detroit's longtime acquaintance with the American school. Slatkin, who considers Ives to be one of America's most progressive composers of his time, imagined the four-symphony program as a way to familiarize the audience with his style.

Live Broadcasts on WRCJ-FM
Each DSO concert will be broadcast live on Detroit's WRCJ-FM (90.9).

For more details about the DSO performances at Carnegie Hall, or to reserve tickets, visit dso.org/carnegiehall.

About Detroit Symphony Orchestra
The internationally acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in December 2012, is known for trailblazing performances, visionary maestros, collaborations with the world's foremost musical artists, and an unwavering commitment to Detroit. Esteemed conductor Leonard Slatkin, called "America's Music Director" by the Los Angeles Times, became the 12th Music Director of the DSO during the 2008-09 season and acclaimed conductor, arranger, and trumpeter Jeff Tyzik was appointed Principal Pops Conductor in November 2012. The DSO's performance schedule includes Classical, Pops, Jazz, Young People's, Neighborhood concerts, and collaborations with chart-topping musicians from Smokey Robinson to Kid Rock.  A commitment to broadcast innovation began in 1922 when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a radio broadcast and continues today with the free Live from Orchestra Hall webcast series.  Making its home at historic Orchestra Hall at the Max M. Fisher Music Center, one of America's most acoustically perfect concert halls, the DSO actively pursues a mission to impact and serve the community through music.  For more information visit dso.org or download the free DSO to Go mobile app.

About General Motors Foundation
Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates.  Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM.  The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.

About Cadillac
Cadillac has been a leading luxury auto brand since 1902. In recent years, Cadillac has engineered a historic renaissance led by artful engineering and advanced technology. More information on Cadillac can be found at media.cadillac.com.

SOURCE General Motors