Lexington Symphony Launches 20th Anniversary Season

Lexington Symphony will open its 2014–2015 20th-anniversary season on Saturday, September 20th at Lexington High School Auditorium at 8 p.m. with “Estonian Night,” a concert featuring the work of renowned Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.

Popular all over the world and offering insights into the moods and experiences of Estonian’s people, Pärt’s music will be spotlighted in an imaginative program in honor of his 80th birthday. As a featured guest for the evening, the Symphony will welcome pianist and fellow Estonian Diana Liiv, who will perform Pärt’s Lamentate for piano and orchestra. Pärt’s Für Alina, Für Anna Maria, and Variations for the Healing of Arinushka for piano; and Tabula Rasa for solo violin, viola, and string orchestra with prepared piano will also be presented.

Estonian composer Eduard Tubin’s Dance Suite will offer an engaging introduction to folk dances of the region, while the heroic Karelia Suite by Finland’s celebrated composer Jean Sibelius — inspired by the Finnish legends of The Kalevala, a 19th-century work of epic poetry — will cap off the evening.

Programming for the Symphony’s landmark 20th season features musical tour de forces from around the globe. Highlights include a collaborative performance with New World Chorale of English composer Sir Edward Elgar’s stunning choral masterpiece Dream of Gerontius (which has been heard only twice in Boston in the past 28 years); Tchaikovsky’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 1; and Mendelssohn’s boisterous “Italian” Symphony No. 4. “This memorable season features masterpieces from countries like Estonia, England, and Russia; educational concerts for young people; and fun for the whole family,” reports Lexington Symphony Music Director, Jonathan McPhee. A complete 2014–2015 season lineup can be found at www.lexingtonsymphony.org.

Offering up to a 25 percent discount off individual ticket prices, LexSix and LexFour season subscription packages are available now through September 20th; single tickets are also on sale. Subscriptions and individual concert tickets can be purchased online at www.lexingtonsymphony.org or by telephone at 781-523-9009.

Due to the renovation of Cary Hall, all of Lexington Symphony’s 2014–2015 concerts (with the exception of Concert in the Round) will be held at Lexington High School, 251 Waltham Street, Lexington.

A pre-concert Conductor’s Talk with Music Director Jonathan McPhee is offered one hour before all performances.