2008-2009 Holiday Concerts

Powell Hall is the place to be for the holidays with John Adams’ nativity oratorio, Gospel glory, popular songs to sing-along, The Wizard of Oz and a New Year’s surprise party.

El Niño (A Nativity Oratorio)

ORCHESTRAL SERIES

- Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 8pm
- Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 3pm

David Robertson, conductor
Jessica Rivera, soprano
Kelley O’Connor, mezzo-soprano
Steven Rickards, Daniel Bubeck
Brian Cummings, countertenors
Jonathan Lemalu, bass-baritone
Saint Louis Symphony Chorus
Amy Kaiser, director
The St. Louis Children’s Choirs
Barbara Berner, director

JOHN ADAMS El Niño

 Audio Clip - Shake the Heavens (1:25)

“The piece is my way of trying to understand what is meant by a miracle,” John Adams says of his nativity oratorio. Handel’s Messiah is indeed a model, but the shout of “Hallelujah” is propelled by a convergence of forces, as if orchestra and chorus were caught up in a whirlwind of history and myth, faith and doubt, memory and dream. Prepare to be blown away.

PreConcert Perspective with David Robertson one hour prior to each concert.

Please note there will be no late seating for these performances.

A Gospel Christmas

SPECIAL EVENT
Presented by AmerenUE

- Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 7:30pm
- Friday, December 19, 2008 at 7:30pm

Robert Ray, conductor
CeCe Winans, vocalist
Gwendolyn Packnett, Master of Ceremonies
Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON® Chorus

RICHARD SMALLWOOD     Anthem of Praise
CAROL CYMBALA     “Carol Medley” from Light of the World
JOHN RUTTER   “Quoniam tu solus sanctus” from Gloria
arr. WHALUM   Betelehemu
arr. CHARLES FLOYD   Glory to the Newborn King
arr. TEENA CHINN   “Hallelujah” from Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration
CeCe Winans   Selections will be announced from stage

Two nights of soul-stirring gospel music to celebrate this most joyous of seasons. The artistic combination of Robert Ray, the Saint Louis Symphony IN UNISON® Chorus, and the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra have made A Gospel Christmas a tradition that delivers all of the promises of the holiday, and then some, especially with the dynamic Gospel star, CeCe Winans.

The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Holiday Celebration

SPECIAL EVENT
Presented by Scottrade

- Friday, December 19, 2008 at 2pm
- Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 7:30pm
- Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 2pm

Ward Stare, conductor
Doug LaBrecque, vocalist & narrator
The St. Louis Children’s Choirs
Barbara Berner, director

BACH   Overture to Suite No. 3 in D major
HUMPERDINCK   Prelude to Hansel and Gretel
TCHAIKOVSKY   Selections from The Nutcracker
BERNARD arr. BARKER  Winter Wonderland
BERLIN arr. BENNETT   White Christmas
MATHIAS   Selections from Salvator mundi
                    Be we Merry in this Feast
                    Susanni
                    Welcome, Yule
arr. BARKER  Do You Hear What I Hear
ANDERSON   A Christmas Festival
arr. KESSLER  O Chanukah
arr. PIPPIN   The Christmas Song / Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
JOHN RUTTER   Star Carol
R. BASS   The Night Before Christmas
ADAM arr. BARKER  O Holy Night
ANDERSON  Sleigh Ride
                     Singalong TBA

 Audio Clip - Anderson Sleigh Ride (2:00)

Popular songs mixed with orchestral favorites. Doug LaBrecque warms the Hall with song and narrates ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. This season you’ll find candy canes, eggnog, hot chocolate and Santa in the foyer! Remember to warm up your voices for the traditional sing-along with The St. Louis Children¹s Choirs!

Vote for your Favorite Holiday Sing-Along:
We'll deck the Hall and have cookies and cocoa ready, but we need YOU to help us pick the music. Go ahead St. Louis: vote for your favorite Holiday song and we'll include the winner in our traditional Holiday Celebration sing-along! Choose from one of the three songs below, then make plans to join us at Powell Hall on December 19, 20 or 21 to sing-along to St. Louis' favorite Holiday song!

Oz with Orchestra

SPECIAL EVENT
Presented by Charter Communications and The Chrysler Foundation

- Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 7:30pm
- Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 3pm

David Robertson, conductor

We’re off to see the Wizard! The 1939 classic has been stunningly re-mastered and restored, and now, the wonderful Harold Arlen score will be played live by the SLSO,with David Robertson conducting. The Wizard of Oz will be as enchanting to those who’ve seen it dozens of times as to those who are seeing it for the first time. Judy Garland singing “Over the Rainbow” with the SLSO: We’re off!

New Year’s Eve Concert

- Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 7:30pm

David Robertson, conductor

The program for the SLSO’s annual New Year’s Eve Concert is one of the best-kept– and most-enjoyed–secrets of the year. It’s a surprise party of entertainment, but as anyone knows who’s been here before, David Robertson and the SLSO will make this the first (and best) stop on your New Year’s Eve revels.