Press Release - 1/23/12
ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES 2012 EUROPEAN TOUR
Sponsored by corporate partner Monsanto; concert dates September 4-7, 2012
ST. LOUIS— Today, the St. Louis Symphony released details about its upcoming 2012 European tour, the first under Music Director David Robertson. The orchestra will make debut performances at the Musikfest Berlin | Berliner Festspiele, the Lucerne Festival, and at the Salle Pleyel in Paris. An additional concert date in London is still to be announced. The concerts will feature works by Beethoven, Brahms, Sibelius, Schoenberg, Gershwin, Ives and Elliott Carter. This tour has received major dedicated funding from Monsanto Company and from several anonymous donors, which in combination with performance fees ensures a balanced budget for the tour.
“I am ecstatic at the idea of taking the St. Louis Symphony to Europe and showing off their combination of musical sophistication, stylistic integrity and heartfelt emotional power,” said Music Director David Robertson. “We are thrilled and honored to be playing in some of Europe’s most prestigious festivals and culminating in Paris, which has special meaning for me after my many years working in France.”
This will be the symphony’s first European engagement since 1998, which was led by the late Hans Vonk. The orchestra also toured Europe in 1978, 1985, 1991 and 1993. Acclaimed violinist Christian Tetzlaff will be the featured soloist during the tour.
“The St. Louis Symphony looks forward to proudly representing St. Louis and our region in these world-renowned music venues as a demonstration of the breadth and depth of cultural assets that our city possesses,” said St. Louis Symphony President/CEO Fred Bronstein. “Equally important is that this tour is being undertaken as a fully funded initiative consistent with the fiscally responsible operation of the St. Louis Symphony, and in no way impacts ongoing, regular Symphony financial operations or needs. This is possible because of the generosity of Monsanto and a small group of anonymous donors who recognize the uniqueness of this opportunity for our city and the Symphony.”
“As a global company headquartered here with more than 4,000 employees who call St. Louis home, we are pleased to support the St. Louis Symphony and their efforts to share their talent around the world,” said Jan Holloway, Monsanto senior vice president, chief of staff and community relations. “This tour is a fantastic way to showcase one of the treasures of St. Louis, and show the world what our city has to offer.”
Schedule:
September 5, 2012—Berlin (Musikfest Berlin 2012 at Berliner Philharmonie)
David Robertson, conductor
Christian Tetzlaff, violin
ELLIOTT CARTER: Holiday Overture
BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto
SCHOENBERG: Five Pieces for Orchestra
GERSHWIN: An American in Paris
http://www.musikfestberlin.de
September 6, 2012—Lucerne (The Lucerne Festival, Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Luzern)
David Robertson, conductor
Christian Tetzlaff, violin
IVES: The Unanswered Question
BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto
SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 1
http://www.lucernefestival.ch
September 7, 2012—Paris (Salle Pleyel)
David Robertson, conductor
Christian Tetzlaff, violin
BRAHMS: Tragic Overture
BEETHOVEN: Violin Concerto
ELLIOTT CARTER: Holiday Overture
GERSHWIN: An American in Paris
http://www.sallepleyel.fr
London: Date and Place to be announced
