World-Renowned Conductors Set to Lead Nashville Symphony in Back-to-Back Weekends

February 18, 2010

The Nashville Symphony welcomes two of the world's most acclaimed conductors in back-to-back weekends as English conductor Sir Neville Marriner conducts William Walton's Henry V: A Shakespeare Scenario on February 25-27, 2010, and German conductor Helmuth Rilling conducts Bach’s Mass in B minor on March 4-6, 2010. Both sets of concerts are part of the Symphony's SunTrust Classical Series and will feature the Nashville Symphony Chorus, led by Chorus Director George Mabry.

First, on February 25-27, famed English conductor Sir Neville Marriner will join the Nashville Symphony for a performance of Walton's Henry V. This sweeping orchestral piece was adapted from the composer's score for Sir Laurence Olivier’s 1944 film version of the historical Shakespeare play. The performance will include narration by noted British actor Michael York, as well as performances by the Nashville Symphony Chorus and Blair's Children Chorus. Marriner, who is founder of the peerless British chamber orchestra Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, will also lead the Symphony in Vaughan Williams' A London Symphony.

The following weekend, on March 4-6, the Nashville Symphony and Chorus welcome German choral conductor and Bach specialist Helmuth Rilling for "Bach's Masterpiece," a performance of Bach's Mass in B minor. This towering work is considered one of the greatest achievements in the composer's oeuvre and an encyclopedic display of his artistic genius. Helmuth Rilling is co-founder of the Oregon Bach Festival and is considered one of the leading Bach interpreters in the world today. He'll be joined by four of Germany's leading vocal soloists: soprano Sibylla Rubens, contralto Ingeborg Danz, tenor Lothar Odinius and bass-baritone Konstantin Wolff.

These concerts will take place in Laura Turner Concert Hall at Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville. Tickets for both range from $35 to $105 and can be purchased via the Symphony’s website, NashvilleSymphony.org, or by calling the Schermerhorn Symphony Center Box Office at 615.687.6400.