Tour includes performances in Luxembourg, Paris, Hamburg,
and the Orchestra’s debut in Baden-Baden
October 27–November 5, 2023
(Philadelphia, September 7, 2023)—Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra will embark on a European Tour, October 27–November 5, 2023, as part of the international celebration of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s 150th birthday. Rachmaninoff enjoyed a special relationship with The Philadelphia Orchestra that proved central to his artistic achievements as a composer, pianist, and conductor. He often said that he composed with the sound of the Orchestra in his ear. Now, Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra are bringing this historic partnership to Europe in nine concerts in four cities: Luxembourg, Luxembourg (October 27–28 at the Philharmonie Luxembourg); Paris, France (October 29–30 at the Philharmonie de Paris); Hamburg, Germany (November 1–2 at the Elbphilharmonie); and Baden-Baden, Germany (November 3–5 at the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden), where the Orchestra will make its debut.
Pianist Daniil Trifonov—with whom Nézet-Séguin and the Orchestra have recorded the acclaimed “Destination Rachmaninov” albums on the Deutsche Grammophon label—will join as soloist. Nézet-Séguin and the Orchestra also recently released a critically acclaimed Deutsche Grammophon recording of Rachmaninoff’s Symphonies Nos. 2 and 3 and The Isle of the Dead, having already released a recording of the First Symphony and Symphonic Dances, also on Deutsche Grammophon. Tour repertoire will include the composer’s Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, and 3; Vocalise; Symphonic Dances; Piano Concerto No. 4; and Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Click here for a complete listing of concert information.
“This tour turns the spotlight on several special relationships—that between the Orchestra and Rachmaninoff himself, and between the Orchestra and Daniil Trifonov, with whom we have enjoyed many years of collaboration,” said Nézet-Séguin. “To have this opportunity to share the ‘Philadelphia Sound’—in works written specifically to showcase it—in some of the great concert halls of Europe during this 150th anniversary year, and to introduce the Philadelphians to Baden-Baden, a city I have long known and loved, is incredibly exciting to me. We look forward to connecting with audiences, both familiar and new, throughout this celebratory visit.”
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s History with Rachmaninoff
After Rachmaninoff left Russia in the wake of the 1917 Revolution, he spent most of his remaining 25 years in America. He composed six more major works at that time, five of them with orchestra: Piano Concerto No. 4, Three Russian Songs, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Symphony No. 3, and Symphonic Dances. All were written for, and premiered by, the Philadelphians. As pianist, Rachmaninoff recorded his four piano concertos and the Rhapsody, and as conductor he recorded three of his orchestral compositions, all with the Orchestra. For more on the Orchestra’s unique history with Rachmaninoff, click here.
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s History on Tour and in Europe
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s tour history is as long and legendary as the Orchestra itself. Just four days after their inaugural concert on November 16, 1900, the musicians were already on the road. Over the next decades, they performed regularly across the United States. The Orchestra first performed outside the United States when it traveled to Toronto, Canada, in 1918, led by Music Director Leopold Stokowski. In 1936, again led by Stokowski, the Orchestra embarked on its first transcontinental tour—the first of its kind by any American orchestra. In 1949 the Orchestra and Music Director Eugene Ormandy made their first overseas tour—the first for an American orchestra following World War II—traveling to Great Britain by boat, giving 28 concerts in 27 days. Six years later they crossed the Atlantic again, making their first visit to the European Continent. Since that time, the Orchestra has crossed the globe on a regular basis, becoming one of the most-traveled American symphonic ensembles. The Philadelphians last visited Europe with Nézet-Séguin in 2022.
Patron Tour
Beginning in Paris, patrons of the Orchestra will join the tour to attend concerts and participate in a variety of tourism activities and opportunities to interact with Orchestra musicians and leaders. The patron tour is currently at capacity. Anyone interested in being added to the waiting list should contact Joe Sinkus at jsinkus@philorch.org.
Supporters
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2023 Europe Tour is made possible through the generous support of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
Lead support for the Rachmaninoff 150 Celebration is provided by Tatiana Copeland. Mrs. Copeland’s mother was the niece of Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Tatiana Copeland was named after the composer’s daughter, Tatiana Sergeyevna Rachmaninoff.
About The Philadelphia Orchestra
About Yannick Nézet-Séguin
About the 2023–24 Season
Our Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Strategies (IDEAS)
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CONTACTS:
Ashley Berke
267.250.5148
aberke@philorch.org
Stephanie Williams
610.952.6836
swilliams@philorch.org
Alyssa Moore
215.893.3142
amoore@philorch.org