HELSINKI, FINLAND and FRANKLIN, TN--(Marketwire - January 19, 2011) - This month, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) (http://www.kennedy-center.org/nso/) and its new Music Director Christoph Eschenbach will make their first recording together, to be released on the Finnish Ondine label on May 31, 2011. The live recording will feature NSO concerts from their Kennedy Center celebration of the 50th anniversary of U.S. President John F. Kennedy's Inauguration. The repertoire will include Peter Lieberson's new composition "Remembering JFK (An American Elegy)", with Richard Dreyfuss narrating excerpts from the speeches of President Kennedy. Additionally, Bernstein's "Fanfare for the Inauguration of JFK" and Symphonic Dances from "West Side Story" will be recorded, as will the Gershwin Piano Concerto in F major, with renowned American pianist Tzimon Barto as soloist.
"It gives me great pleasure to begin my recordings together with the National Symphony," said Christoph Eschenbach. "It is especially meaningful that the first recording will commemorate the Inauguration of President Kennedy, for whom my new artistic home is named."
"We are thrilled to start a recording partnership with the prestigious National Symphony Orchestra and are delighted to continue our fruitful collaboration with Maestro Christoph Eschenbach in this exciting new alliance," said Ondine Managing Director Reijo Kiilunen. "It's wonderful to begin with a release with such fascinating content and context."
The recording will also include a bonus CD with excerpts from the broadcast of the January 19, 1961, Inaugural Concert by then-Music Director Howard Mitchell and the NSO. At the Kennedys' request, the Inaugural Program emphasized American composers. The excerpts selected include John La Montaine's Overture "From Sea to Shining Sea" (commissioned by the NSO for the Inaugural Concert), a movement from Randall Thompson's "Testament of Freedom" (with the Georgetown University Glee Club), and "Rhapsody in Blue" with piano soloist Earl Wild. The bonus CD will also include some of the 1961 commentary by Mutual Broadcasting Network.
Contact Information:
More information:
Patricia J. O'Kelly
NSO Media Relations
202 416-8443