The OKC Philharmonic Kicks-Off

2009-2010 Inasmuch Foundation

Classics Series

The Oklahoma City Orchestra League presents Grand Opening Night featuring cellist Steven Isserlis

Oklahoma City, OK--The Inasmuch Foundation Classics Series presents the OKC Philharmonic's 2009-2010 Grand Opening Night under the direction of Joel Levine on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 8:00pm at the Civic Center Music Hall.

On this evening sponsored by the Oklahoma City Orchestra League, the Orchestra performs Stravinsky's powerful Firebird Suite. Famed cellist Steven Isserlis makes his debut with the OKC PHIL performing Dvorak's Concerto for Cello in B minor. Both Stravinsky and Dvorak's music provide a remarkable tour-de-force of emotion and enjoyment to make for a riveting Grand Opening Night.

Tickets are available online at okcphilharmonic.org or by callin the OKC PHIL ticket office at (405) TIC-KETS :: (405) 842-5387 or by visiting in person at 428 W. California, Suite 210. Tickets are also available at the Civic Center Music Hall located at 201 N. Walker or by calling the Tulsa Performing Arts Center at 1-800-364-7111. Handling charges apply for all outlet sales.

Steven Isserlis

Steven Isserlis is a cellist whose passion for music transcends conventional divisions. Acclaimed worldwide for his musicality and technique alike, he is equally at home drawing the audience into his circle of friends for chamber music or in recital; delving into the historical archives to emerge with a forgotten gem; or on the concert platform with some of the world's most prestigious orchestras and conductors.

This season's highlights include a residency at Frankfurt's Alte Oper, who prominently feature Isserlis as their 'Auftakt' artist, incorporating a concert with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe; and performances with the Orchestre de Paris under Christoph Eschenbach at the Enescu Festival in Bucharest. Isserlis appears with the Philharmonia under Paavo Järvi, the Philadelphia Orchestra under Charles Dutoit and tours with both the City of Birmingham Symphony and the Australian Chamber orchestras. He also participates in a Gala Concert with the Israel Philharmonic to mark the 50th anniversary of the Mann Auditorium, performing Bloch's Schelomo under Zubin Mehta's baton; and later in the season re-joins the orchestra for a period of concerts under the direction of Kurt Masur.

British-born Isserlis takes a strong interest in authentic performance, playing with many of the foremost period instrument orchestras. Recent seasons have seen Isserlis perform all Beethoven's works for cello with fortepianist Robert Levin both in Boston and at London¹s Wigmore Hall. Last season he performed the Dvorák Cello Concerto with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Sir Simon Rattle.

Writing and playing for children is another major interest for Isserlis. His first book, a children's history of the lives of six great composers, Why Beethoven Threw the Stew, was published by Faber and Faber in October 2001, and a sequel, entitled Why Handel Waggled his Wig, was published in 2006; both books have been met with high critical acclaim, and are translated into many languages. With his fresh, inimitable style and approachable personality, Steven Isserlis is ever popular with children and enjoys giving concerts especially for them.