History
A Festival Tradition
Within the past few seasons, Seattle Symphony has presented annual festivals of exciting music focusing on composers from various regions of the world, including the Pacific Rim, Silk Road region, Latin America, Central Europe and the United States.
In 2005 and 2006, Seattle Symphony presented a two-part Made in America Festival, showcasing those American composers who created a distinctive American symphonic voice. Various festivals have also taken place in recent years to celebrate the works of specific composers, including a Mozart festival in honor of the composer’s 250th birthday, and two Shostakovich festivals.
In spring 2007, Seattle Symphony presented Music of Central Europe: Bridging the 48th Parallel. Conducted by Gerard Schwarz, the festival repertoire and community partner presentations spanned seven decades of the 20th century. A major highlight was the concert-staged performance of Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle, featuring sets by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly.
In the 2008–2009 season, the Symphony presented a year-long “festival” that celebrated works by immigrant composers. The festival culminated in two special weeks of performances in May and June 2008. Performances of the rarely performed Genesis Suite featured narration by Academy Award winners F. Murray Abraham and Patty Duke, as well as visuals by Seattle Symphony Artist in Association Dale Chihuly. Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra shared the program with a semi-staged presentation of Kurt Weill and Bertholt Brecht’s The Little Mahagonny.
This season, as the Symphony celebrates Gerard Schwarz’s Farewell Season as Music Director, the Orchestra will present festive concerts in honor of the Watjen Concert Organ’s 10th Anniversary (October 23); the music of Alan Hovhaness (March 24 & 26); and the music of opera (January 27 & 29). Maestro Schwarz will open the season with the hit Beethoven & Wine Festival, showcasing the best Northwest wines and the music of one of classical music’s masters, Ludwig van Beethoven.
These celebrations support the creative efforts of composers and serve to bring vital new audiences to the concert hall. The festivals also often incorporate community and educational activities, children’s events, seminars and panel discussions related to the composers and their music.