After taking on the position as the Seattle Symphony’s new music director last September, conductor Ludovic Morlot stated he would bring the classics to Seattle. Morlot wanted to perform works by beethoven, Mozart, Schubert and others as well as work on the orchestras sound. However, the symphony’s newly released lineup shows a bit of a divergence from these well known classics, and introduces lesser known but just as worthy works by Britten, Messiaen, and others. 

Last Wednesday, prior to the Symphony’s free City Hall concert, the season was announced. Included in the lineup for the 2012 season is Olivier Messiaen’s Turangalila Symphony featuring pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet as the soloist. Also, Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem will enjoy its first Seattle Symphony performance. Britten’s Cello Symphony will also be performing at Benaroya hall as well. 

Morlot also announced a few more changes to the traditional lineup. Conducting fellow Stilian Kirov will be filling the position of assistant conductor in September and the Symphony’s tradition of showcasing orchestras from around the world will be put on hiatus. Morlot says it’s important to partner with local orchestras and is excited to invite the Vancouver and Oregon Symphony’s to perform at Benaroya. 

Also in 2012 and the near future, watch as Morlot...

Conducts the premier of John Luther Adam’s work in June 2013 and then takes the show to Carnegie Hall in May of 2014

Reveals an experimental music performance called Untitled  in which the orchestra will perform at 10PM in the Grand Lobby of Benaroya Hall. Morlot believes this unique venue will bring the symphony to the masses.

Also, in order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Seattle World’s Fair, Morlot will introduce a program called 1962 (year of the fair), which will feature music that was composed in the same year as the great fair.