Rounding out our season dramatically this June, we join forces with the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall in Benjamin Britten’s powerful War Requiem and Gustav Mahler’s choral masterpiece, Symphony No. 8, both under the direction of Lorin Maazel. Dessoff is honored to be sharing the stage as Maestro Maazel leads his final performances as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic. Limited discounted tickets to most of New York Philharmonic performances remain available through Dessoff on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit the New York Philharmonic website or box office for Britten tickets and Mahler tickets.

Thursday, June 11, 2009 7:30 pm
Friday, June 12, 2009 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 13, 2009 8:00 pm
Avery Fisher Hall

BRITTEN WAR REQUIEM

Lorin Maazel, conductor
Lionel Bringuier, conductor
Nancy Gustafson, soprano
Vale Rideout, tenor
Ian Greenlaw, baritone
Brooklyn Youth Chorus
The Dessoff Symphonic Choir
New York Philharmonic

War Requiem, Op. 66 (1962)
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

An instant classic when it premiered at the rebuilt Coventry Cathedral in 1962, the shattering impact of this unflinching cry against war is delivered in all its power by two orchestras, two choruses, and a trio of exceptional soloists, all under the direction of maestro Lorin Maazel.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 7:30 pm
Thursday, June 25, 2009 7:30 pm
Friday, June 26, 2009 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 27, 2009 8:00 pm
Avery Fisher Hall

MAHLER SYMPHONY NO. 8: Symphony of a Thousand

Lorin Maazel, conductor
Christine Brewer, soprano
Nancy Gustafson, soprano
Jeanine De Bique, soprano
Mary Phillips, mezzo-soprano
Wolfgang Schöne, bass
Jason Grant, bass-baritone
Brooklyn Youth Chorus
The Dessoff Symphonic Choir
New York Choral Artists
New York Philharmonic

Symphony No. 8 (1906/07)
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911)

More than 300 artists fill an expanded stage in the crowning performances of Lorin Maazel’s acclaimed Mahler cycle and his triumphant career as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic. “Deeply impressive and continuously exciting,” said The New York Times of Maazel’s Mahler, “Clearly, he should keep the Mahler coming.” This once-in-a-lifetime production is not to be missed!

On January 12, 2009, women of The Dessoff Symphonic Choir appeared in mahler for the children of AIDS at Carnegie Hall, a performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 benefiting the victims of pediatric AIDS, starring Susanne Mentzer and Glenn Dicterow, and conducted by George Mathew. The concert raised over $177,000, which netted about $30,000 going to the women and children affected by the disease. Watch the clip of the performance, which was broadcast throughout South Asia on Voice of America World TV’s Urdu News Service.

MAHLER FOR THE CHILDREN OF AIDS on VOICE OF AMERICA URDU Television from George Mathew on Vimeo.