The international Bachtrack website is in the process of uploading its global database of classical music programs for the upcoming season.
Although it isn’t an exhaustive listing of every professional group, the site covers nearly all of the major orchestras, opera and ballet companies around the world, making it the “go-to” resource for information about what’s happening on the classical music calendar. (Having one of the most robust and easy-to-use search mechanisms of any website of its kind is an added plus.)
The 2018/19 season is just now coming into focus – and we see that four important compositions of Florent Schmitt will be presented by orchestras in Bern, Buffalo, Malmö, Mexico City, Norfolk, Paris, Québec City, Warsaw and Washington, conducted by JoAnn Falletta, Fabien Gabel, Jacek Kaspszyk, Marc Soutstrot, Scott Tucker, Mario Venzago and Ronald Zollman.
It’s a bit of a twist this season in that North America will be experiencing the majority of Schmitt concerts — and it may be the first season when Europe doesn’t represent the largest share of the musical activity. Of course, it’s early days yet and I’m quite sure that more European concerts will come to light.
Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo, NY will be the venue for a new NAXOS recording of Florent Schmitt’s music in 2019.
Several of the events are particularly notable. The Buffalo Philharmonic pieces will be recorded by NAXOS (including one commercial recording premiere), while the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of Antoine et Cléopâtre will feature actors from Shakespeare’s Globe in London performing a dramatic adaptation of Schmitt’s music in conjunction with a “filleted” version of the Bard’s drama.
The Grand Théâtre de Québec will be decked out with a red carpet runway for Florent Schmitt’s Psaume XLVII in May 2019.
And for music-lovers in North America who would like to partake in a rare opportunity to experience Schmitt’s blockbuster choral masterpiece Psaume XLVII live, it’s an embarrassment of riches this season. The Québec City performance promises to be a gala occasion, featuring soprano Karina Gauvin and the OSQ Orchestra + Chorus along with a gathering of arts dignitaries — complete with red-carpet runway.
Florent Schmitt’s Psaume XLVII at the Kennedy Center promises to be a memorable experience (May 2019).
Meanwhile, Washington, DC will be the beneficiary of another performance of Psalm 47, which was presented for the first time in that city in 2001 (at the National Cathedral). People I know still comment about that memorable event; for them and for others, the opportunity to experience the excitement of the Psalm — this time at the Kennedy Center — promises to make it one of the thrilling highlights of the cultural season in the nation’s capital.
Listed below are details on the upcoming season’s concerts, along with links to learn more information about the performances and to reserve tickets.
June 9-10, 2018
Schmitt: Antoine et Cléopâtre: Suite No. 2, Op. 69b (1920)
Debussy: Khamma
D’Indy: Istar
Ravel: Shéhérazade (Song Cycle)
Roussel: Padmâvatî, Suite No. 2
Orchestre de Paris, Fabien Gabel, conductor
Measha Brueggergosman, soprano
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September 27, 29, 2018
Schmitt: La Tragédie de Salomé, Op. 50 (1907/10)
Debussy: Images pour orchestra: Ibéria
Ravel: Boléro
Ravel: Ma Mère l’oye Suite
Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Marc Soustrot, conductor
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December 8-9, 2018
Schmitt: La Tragédie de Salomé, Op. 50 (1907/10)
Lavista: Misa de réquiem
Stravinsky: Funeral Song, Op. 5
Orquesta Filarmónica de México UNAM, Ronald Zollman, conductor
Cantores de la Facultad de Música UNAM
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March 2-3, 2019
Schmitt: Musique sur l’eau, Op. 33 (1898/1911)
Schmitt: La Tragédie de Salomé, Op. 50 (1907/10)
Brahms: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77
Tailleferre: Ouverture
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Susan Platts, mezzo-soprano
Buffalo Girlchoir
Sarah Chang, violinist
(Schmitt selections being recorded for release on the NAXOS label)
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March 8-9, 2019
Schmitt: La Tragédie de Salomé, Op. 50 (1907/10)
Debussy: Le Martyre de saint Sébastien
Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Jacek Kaspszyk, conductor
Karen Vourc’h, soprano
Sophie Marilley and Agata Schmidt, mezzo-sopranos
Barbara Wysocka, narrator
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May 4-5, 2019
Schmitt: La Tragédie de Salomé, Op. 50 (1907/10)
Debussy: Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Dukas: L’Apprenti sorcier
Mozart: Concerto No. 21 in C Major for Piano & Orchestra, K. 467
Bern Symphony Orchestra, Mario Venzago, conductor
Fazil Say, pianist
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May 17-18, 2019
Schmitt: Antoine et Cléopâtre: Suites Nos. 1 & 2, Op. 69 (1920)
(Dramatic adaptation by Bill Barclay)
Virginia Symphony Orchestra, JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Actors of Shakespeare’s Globe (London)
Bill Barclay, director
(Virginia Arts Festival Production)
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May 19, 2019
Schmitt: Psaume XLVII, Op. 38 (1904)
Lili Boulanger: Psaume XXlV
Fauré: Requiem, Op. 48
Washington Choral Arts Orchestra, Scott Tucker, conductor
Trevor Scheunemann, baritone
Alexandria Shiner and Laura Choi Stuart, sopranos
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May 29, 2019
Schmitt: Psaume XLVII, Op. 38 (1904)
Debussy: Claire de lune
Fauré: Psaume CXXXVII (Super flumina Babylonis)
Ravel: Shéhérazade (Ouverture de féerie)
Ravel: Shéhérazade (Song Cycle)
Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, Fabien Gabel, conductor
Karina Gauvin, soprano
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More information on these upcoming concerts can be found on the Bachtrack site, or on the web pages of the various arts organizations (click or tap on the links above).
In the coming weeks, it is likely that additional concerts featuring Florent Schmitt’s music will be announced for the upcoming season. They will be added to the listing above as soon as the information becomes available.