October 15, 2004

CINCINNATI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA RETURNS TO ITS EUROPEAN ORIGINS

Paavo Järvi and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra embark on their first European tour together showcasing Cincinnati's world-class arts

CINCINNATI— The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will tour to Austria, Germany, France, The Netherlands and Spain October 29 — November 10 when Paavo Järvi leads his first European tour with the Orchestra. Maestro Järvi and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will perform 11 concerts in nine cities in Europe, including Vienna, Frankfurt, Paris, Madrid and Barcelona.

“I am very excited that the orchestra and I will tour Europe together for the first time as arts ambassadors, representing Cincinnati as a cultural leader,” said CSO Music Director Paavo Järvi. “Performing in the important capitals of Europe is a test for any orchestra, because these audiences hear the best in the world and are used to a high standard of music making. We intend to impress them.”

Cincinnati fans can hear a preview of the CSO’s European Tour at Music Hall concerts October 21, 22 and 23. Hélène Grimaud, the acclaimed French pianist, will be soloist with the CSO both in Cincinnati and in Europe.

Maestro Järvi has selected repertoire by Kodály, Nielsen and Estonian composer Erkki-Sven Tüür, as well as symphonies by Mahler (No. 5), Dvorák (No. 7) and Sibelius (No. 5). Ms. Grimaud’s tour repertoire includes Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 and the Schumann Piano Concerto.

“American orchestras especially go under the microscope by playing music that has its origins in Europe,” said Maestro Järvi. “In Vienna, for example, we will perform Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. It is extremely difficult — the critics will be listening very carefully — but I don’t mind because I don’t believe in hiding. We will put it all on the line. The Orchestra is hungry for this.”

The CSO European Tour is sponsored by Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, CFM International, General Electric and Convergys.

Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce Marketing Mission in France
Coinciding with the CSO’s tour, a group of economic development experts from the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce (GCCC) and representatives from the Greater Cincinnati business community will travel to France for a “marketing mission.” The GCCC, in partnership with GIFAS — the French aerospace industries association — will conduct a seminar in Paris for French business leaders culminating in their attendance at the CSO’s evening concert on November 5. In addition to heightening awareness of Cincinnati USA as a prime destination for French business investment, GCCC’s presence at the CSO concert in France further showcases Cincinnati's fine arts community and quality of life. Cincinnati is already home to approximately 25 French firms including CFM International, Key MRO, Mane, l’Oréal and Valeo Climate Control.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is a dynamic ensemble of some of the world’s finest musicians. The fifth oldest symphony in the United States and the oldest orchestra in Ohio, the CSO has played a leading role in the cultural life of Greater Cincinnati and the Midwest since its founding in 1895.

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra maintains an active international and domestic touring schedule. Its global reach through international recording sales and international touring was recognized with the Governor’s Excellence in Exporting Award (“E” Award), presented by Ohio Governor Bob Taft in July 2002. Paavo Järvi’s leadership in bringing positive worldwide recognition to Greater Cincinnati recently earned him a “Spirit of Cincinnati” Queen City Advocate Award.

The 2004 European tour will be the second international tour for the Orchestra since Paavo Järvi began his tenure as Music Director in September 2001. His first international tour with the Orchestra, to Japan in November 2003, was greeted by critical and audience acclaim. Ongaku no Tomo said, “Audiences were overwhelmed by [Järvi’s] interpretation of the ‘Symphonie fantastique,’ which demonstrated the depth of his maturity.” In March 2004, Maestro Järvi and the CSO toured domestically, performing six concerts in Florida. “The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra … has easily slipped into the top echelon of American orchestras, and for good reason,” said the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

Paavo Järvi
Paavo Järvi, one of the most sought-after conductors of his generation, became the 12th Music Director of the CSO in September 2001. His dynamic leadership on the Cincinnati podium has captured international attention, attracted new artists to Cincinnati’s historic Music Hall and consistently won praise from critics.

Eighteen months into his first contract as CSO Music Director, Maestro Järvi signed a second four-year contract that extends his tenure with the CSO through the 2008-2009 season.

Hélène Grimaud
French pianist Hélène Grimaud is a regular visitor to the concert stages of Europe, North America and the Far East. Since her 1988 debut with Orchestre de Paris at the invitation of Daniel Barenboim, she has appeared with many of the world’s major orchestras and leading conductors.

Last season Ms. Grimaud performed at Carnegie Hall with the Russian National Orchestra, debuted with the Saint Louis Symphony and appeared with the San Francisco Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony and Rochester Philharmonic. Ms. Grimaud made her Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Riverbend debut in 1999 and her CSO subscription debut during Maestro Paavo Järvi’s inaugural season in 2001.

Hélène Grimaud’s first Deutsche Grammophon recording, Credo, was released in February 2004 and comprises music by Arvo Pärt, John Corigliano and Beethoven. Hailed by Gramophone as “an auspicious DG debut that opens up the possibilities for creative listening,” Credo includes two tracks of live performance with the Swedish Radio Choir and Symphony Orchestra led by Esa-Pekka Salonen — Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy and Part’s Credo. Her earlier releases on the Erato label include the Schumann Piano Concerto and Richard Strauss’s Burleske for Piano and Orchestra.

For information about the European Tour preview concerts call the CSO Sales Office at (513) 381-3300 or visit www.cincinnatisymphony.org


CSO 2004 European Tour Dates, Cities and Repertoire

Friday, October 29, Vienna, Austria
Konzerthaus
Schumann: Piano Concerto
Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Saturday, October 30, Frankfurt, Germany
Alte Oper
Nielsen: Maskarade Overture
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4
Dvorák: Symphony No. 7

Sunday, October 31, Stuttgart, Germany
Liederhalle
Nielsen: Maskarade Overture
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4
Dvorák: Symphony No. 7

Tuesday, November 2, Cologne, Germany
Cologne Philharmonie
Tüür: Aditus
Schumann: Piano Concerto
Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Wednesday, November 3, Frankfurt, Germany
Alte Oper
Schumann: Piano Concerto
Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Thursday, November 4, Mannheim, Germany
Rosengarten Culture and Congress Center
Nielsen: Maskarade Overture
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4
Dvorák: Symphony No. 7

Friday, November 5, Paris, France
Chatelet
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4
Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Saturday, November 6, Enschede, The Netherlands
Muziekcentrum Enschede
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4
Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Monday, November 8, Madrid, Spain
Auditorio Nacional de Música
Schumann: Piano Concerto
Mahler: Symphony No. 5

Tuesday, November 9, Madrid, Spain
Auditorio Nacional de Música
Tüür: Aditus
Kodály: Dances of Galánta
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5

Wednesday, November 10, Barcelona, Spain
Palau de la Música Catalana
Nielsen: Maskarade Overture
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5