The Portland Symphony Orchestra’s 2012-2013 Season Opens with Fanfare for a New Season

PORTLAND, Maine – The Portland Symphony Orchestra’s 84^th season opens with two performances featuring music of three centuries on Sunday, October 7 at 2:30 p.m. and Tuesday, October 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Merrill Auditorium in Portland. Music Director Robert Moody conducts the rousing opener featuring music from Mason Bates, Tchaikovsky and Aaron Copland, with guest pianist Andrew Russo.

The concert opens with Mothership by Mason Bates, a piece that was recently commissioned by the YouTube Symphony and Michael Tilson Thomas and has received almost 1.8 million views to date. Following Mothership is a performance of Tchaikovsky’s much-loved Romantic Era piece, Piano Concerto No. 1.  Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 3 concludes the program with the famous “Fanfare for the Common Man” theme. For more information on these pieces, including audio clips and performance extras, visit portlandsymphony.org.

The PSO welcomes pianist Andrew Russo to the stage for his rendition of Tchaikovsky’s classic concerto. The Syracuse, New York native has performed all over the world as a representative pianist for American composers, and is an active member of the non-profit organization of his own creation, Music Journeys Inc., which supports musical education in his hometown public school district. He comes to Merrill Auditorium with more than ten commercial recordings and a 2007 Grammy nomination under his belt.

Both performances are preceded by a Concert Conversation in the Rehearsal Hall at Merrill Auditorium with Robert Moody and Andrew Russo an hour and 15 minutes prior to the concert’s starting time, and are followed by a PostConcert Q&A on stage with Robert Moody and Andrew Russo.

Tickets range from $26-$64 and are available through PortTIX at (207) 842-0800 or www.porttix.com. Phone and internet orders are subject to per-ticket handling fees. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office at 20 Myrtle St., Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m. Special pricing for students, seniors, and groups may be available. Subscriptions (up to 20% off single ticket prices) and Compose Your Own packages (10% off single ticket prices) are available all season long.

The PSO’s 2012-13 season is sponsored by Wright Express. For complete season information, including artist biographies; program notes; and Online Insights visit www.portlandsymphony.org.