Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra Announces 2009-2010 Season

Aug. 16, 2009 - PRLog -- Milwaukee, WI – The Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra (MCO) is pleased to announce three concerts in its 2009-2010 season. Richard Hynson returns as music director and will conduct all performances which cover a diverse repertoire. The season includes works by Mozart, Dvorak, Bartok, Copland’s “Clarinet Concerto” featuring William Helmers, and a presentation of Stravinsky’s “A Soldier’s Tale” in collaboration with Milwaukee’s In Tandem Theatre company. All concerts will take place in the intimate space of Calvary Presbyterian Church in downtown Milwaukee.

“This season’s distinctive collection of musical gems boasts a broad spectrum of styles and composers, each providing an intimate, expressive view of the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra’s passionate music making,” said Hynson. “I invite everyone be a part of this extraordinary live-concert experience. After all, no one gets you closer to the music!”

The MCO’s 2009-2010 season opens Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Pieces to be performed include Antonin Dvorak’s “Serenade,” Emil Bernard’s “Divertissement,” and Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G minor, KV 550, also known as “The Great G Minor Symphony,” and unquestionably one of Mozart's most admired works.

Concert number two, Stravinsky’s “A Soldier’s Tale,” in collaboration with In Tandem Theatre, will be presented on Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. This re-telling of the story of Faust describes a solder heading home from the war, eager to start a new life and family. On the way he strikes a bargain with the devil, trading a violin for a book which will show him how to obtain all that he can desire. As usual with Faust, the soldier gets what he asks for, but loses everything he wants.

The third and final concert in the MCO’s season will be Friday, April 16, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. William Helmers, MCO principal clarinetist, will perform Aaron Copland’s “Clarinet Concerto.” “One of my first recordings was of Benny Goodman playing the Copland Concerto,” said Helmers. “Benny's pure tone and direct, honest musicianship had a great influence on my clarinet playing.” One of Bela Bartok’s best known works, “Music for Strings, Percussion and Celeste,” is also on the program.

All Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra performances will be held at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 935 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. All patrons are invited to a free wine tasting one hour prior to each concert, presented by Wine Maniacs of Oconomowoc. Wine also will be available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the MCO.

Season tickets are $60 for adults, $50 for seniors, and $24 for students with school ID. Individual tickets are $25, $20, $10. Tickets can be purchased online at www.theMCO.org, by calling 414-881-9900, or at the door.

The Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, the only professional chamber orchestra in the greater Milwaukee area, has been performing the highest quality chamber music for more than 30 years. The MCO provides a unique experience for audience members as well as important performance opportunities to professional musicians in the area, many of whom play with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and are in demand around the world. Richard Hynson’s position is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board made possible by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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About The Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra; The only professional chamber orchestra in the Greater Milwaukee Area, provides a unique, intimate musical experience for its audience. Director Richard Hynson continues a 30 + year tradition. www.theMCO.org