This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, May 6, 2009 - On Saturday, May 9, you could get dressed up and head to Powell Hall to hear the St. Louis Symphony perform their season finale.
But you better have your tickets already.
If not, just turn on your radio for a live broadcast. Symphony broadcasts are "especially good this time since the finale of the season is sold out," says Eddie Silva, publications manager with the symphony.
At 7:30 Saturday evening, the symphony will air its performance of Thomas Ades' Asyla and Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, "Choral," on KFUO-Classic 99, (99.1 FM). The performance of Asyla will be a St. Louis premiere.
"It's going to be an especially exceptional program, I think," Silva says.
The performance will feature music director and conductor David Robertson. Guest vocalists include Heidi Grant Murphy, Jennifer Dudley, Brandon Jovanovich and Jonathan Lemalu. The St. Louis Symphony Chorus is under the direction of Amy Kaiser. The radio show starts at 3 p.m. before the performance, featuring a discussion with SLSO's president and executive director, Fred Bronstein, and a live presentation from Robertson.
Silva says the entire program will be a blockbuster for the symphony to end its season. But you won't have to wait until the beginning of the next season, in September, to hear these classical musicians again.
Beginning July 1 at 8 p.m., KFUO begins a weekly series hosted by Robertson featuring music from SLSO's archival recordings and more recent live recordings from Robertson's time as music director. The broadcast will continue Wednesday evenings through September and is rebroadcast Fridays at midnight.
This isn't the first time the station and the symphony have paired up, Silva says, and the partnership allows listeners to be a part of the program, whether they're in the seats at Powell or not.
Looking to next season, Silva mentions other special plans. On Oct. 24, the symphony will hold its 2009 Gala with Yo-Yo Ma. Tickets go on sale June 1 for the general public.
This will be the symphony's first gala in 10 years, Silva says, and an after show with live music and dancing will follow at the Coronado Ballroom.
The coming season has other goodies in store, he says, including a Beethoven festival in January and February.
With this weekend's concerts sold out, it's still possible to see the symphony's finale at the dress rehearsal. On Thursday, May 7, doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $25 for general admission, $40 for box seats.
For more information about the radio broadcasts or the 2009-2010 season of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, visit its Web site at slso.org. All broadcasts can also be heard live at www.classic99.com .