BSO brings variety, accessibility to 2008-2009 season By Allen Adams edge staff writer aadams@themaineedge.com Bangor - Classical music gets a bad rap. Too many of us associate the term “classical music” with stolid, stodgy works that are antiquated and uninteresting. Fortunately, the Bangor Symphony Orchestra doesn’t intend to let you miss out on some of history’s finest musical works. Not without a fight, anyway. The BSO is one of the longest continually-running community orchestras in the country, with their 113th season set to commence in late September. Music Director and Conductor Maestro Xiao-Lu Li and Executive Director David Whitehill have assembled a fascinating season, filled with a wide variety of wonderful, hard-to-resist music. Choosing from the Classics Selecting a season is a truly collaborative process, with input from myriad sources (including Symphony board members and people in the community) helping to round out and inform the process. “We’re looking to create a unique experience at each performance,” said Whitehill. “[It’s] all genres, all types of classical music and exploring the elements within. We tried to find hooks and entry points for each performance; there’s something for everyone in our season.” Among Whitehill’s intentions for this season is a desire to provide local audiences with an opportunity to hear works, some by well-known composers, that they may never have had the chance to experience previously. “We’re doing arias from Mozart’s ‘Zaide,’ an unfinished work that has never been heard in Maine,” said Whitehill. “We’re also doing his first symphony, which Mozart wrote when he was [no more than] 10 years old. It’s a chance to get deeper into a composer’s works and explore the depth of their catalog.” The Season The variety in the BSO’s 2008-2009 selections is impressive to say the least. You’ve got Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky – the list goes on and on. Many of the greatest composers in musical history are included among the season’s six shows. “This season is like a box of chocolates,” said Whitehill. “[It’s] not all the same.” Opening Night with Biss This is the first offering of the season and a great way to kick things off, featuring selections from Dvorak and a Brahms piano concerto. The performance takes place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, at Bangor High School’s Peakes Auditorium.  The guest soloist will be pianist Jonathan Biss, one of the preeminent names in classical piano performance today. “He [Biss] is one of the great American pianists,” said Whitehill. “He’s someone our kids will listen to, and our kids’ kids.” Mozart in Maine The beginning of November sees Mozart arriving in our fair city. While Mozart is one of the few classical composers who still resonate today, he was far more prolific than many of us realize. As Whitehill said, “You hear Mozart as a ring tone.” Suffice it to say, Mozart’s good for more than an incoming call alert. This performance, set to take place on Nov. 2 at Peakes Auditorium, is designed to celebrate some of Mozart’s works, including the aforementioned “Zaide,” that audiences in the greater Bangor area may never have heard performed. Guest artists for this performance include Michi Wiancko on violin and Jennifer Stumm on viola. Additionally, soprano Ashley Emerson, an alumna of Bangor High School and currently with the Metropolitan Opera, will be joining the Symphony as a soloist. Beethoven’s Emperor This performance, scheduled for Feb. 1, marks the BSO’s triumphant return to the stage of the renovated Maine Center for the Arts, located on the campus of the University of Maine in Orono. The program will feature Beethoven’s “Emperor,” which is a piano concerto in E-flat Major, as well as selections from Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in E Minor. The return date of Feb. 1 is earlier than originally anticipated. “[We’ll be in] much sooner than expected. It’s really great,” said Whitehill. Adding to the synchronicity of the event is the presence of guest performer Joel Fan. The acclaimed pianist has performed extensively with world-renowned cellist Yo Yo Ma, who some might remember as the artist whose performance christened the Maine Center for the Arts when it first opened its doors. From the New World March 15 is the date of the Symphony’s next performance. The program features Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, as well as a suite from Saeverud and a cello concerto by Haydn. This concert, as well as the rest of the season‘s performances, will take place at the Maine Center for the Arts. The show features two guest artists as well. Conductor Trond Saeverud, Director of the UMF Community Orchestra and instructor of violin, and cellist Noreen Silver, instructor of music at the University of Maine at Orono, will take part in this spring show. Through the Eyes of Mary On April 26, the BSO will bring the Massenet oratorio “Marie-Magdeleine” to the stage. It tells the tale of the last days of Jesus Christ from the perspective of Mary Magdalene. This piece was one of Massenet’s first real successes, despite the controversy of its perceived implications of physical love between Mary and Jesus. Joining the Symphony for this performance will be the University of Maine’s University Singers and Oratorio Society, directed by Dennis Cox and Ludlow Hallman, respectively. The haunting beauty of the music, the fascinating story and the energy of the choral/orchestral collaboration make this a show not to be missed. Russian Dances The season finale for the BSO will happen on May 31. Featured will be a variety of Russian dances, including works by Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and Borodin. Additionally, the Symphony will perform selections from Stravinsky’s classic “The Firebird.” Guest performers for this concert are William Whitener on the trumpet and pianist Phillip Silver, music instructor at the University of Maine and husband to “New World” cellist Noreen Silver. The passionate power of these Russian selections will likely make for an energetic ending to what promises to be another outstanding season for the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. But Wait! There’s More! The Symphony has also initiated a new program that they call their “Sneak Peek Series.” Essentially, audience members are invited to attend what is more or less an open rehearsal. All you need to do is come up with seven bucks and show up at the venue by 7 p.m. The event is informal all the way around; no need to worry about your attire or anything like that. You can feel free to change seats and express your appreciation however you like. The BSO just wants you there. Adding to (and enhancing) the relaxed atmosphere of the proceedings, Conductor Li will be hooked up to a microphone, allowing you to hear what is being communicated to the orchestra and giving you an insider’s look at the process. As Whitehill puts it, “Come as you are, clap when you want. We want to make the Symphony affordable and accessible to all members of the greater Bangor community.” The Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s new slogan says it best – “Life is full of music … Life is full of BSO.” It’s all about sharing a love of great music with the community, celebrating what has come before and anticipating what lies ahead. Despite the preconceived notions and apprehensions that many of us have about classical music, attending a BSO performance isn’t the taxing experience we might believe. “We call it ‘breaking the glass curtain,’” said Whitehill. “You don’t need special knowledge or a key to attend one of our concerts.” So whether you’re a regular concertgoer or a first-timer, the 113th season of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra has something for you. For more information about the BSO and its season, visit their Web site at www.bangorsymphony.org or call 942-5555 or 800-639-3221. BSO box office operations have moved to the Maine Center for the Arts; for ticket information, contact the MCA at 581-1755 or 800-MCA-TIXX (800-622-8499).