DAVENPORT, IOWA (March 29, 2023) — The Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) invites you to its 109th Season — Courage and Beauty — featuring six dynamic Masterworks, four intimate Up Close chamber concerts, Quad City Bank and Trust Riverfront Pops, two QCSO at the Movies presentations, and several special events.
“As you have come to expect, our season is full of emotion, discovery, and beauty, brought to you by the dedicated and passionate musicians of your Quad City Symphony Orchestra,” said QCSO Music Director Mark Russell Smith. “Our Masterworks Season invites you to revisit long-time favorites, explore more recent works by Jessie Montgomery, Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate, and Michael Abels, and experience the premieres of two commissions by Jacob Bancks and Angel Lam. We are pleased to welcome back beloved soloists including cellist Tommy Mesa and vocalists Sarah Shafer and Nathaniel Sullivan, introduce you to piano virtuoso Michelle Cann and clarinetist Ricardo Morales, and showcase the spectacular talent among our orchestra with featured solos from many of our principal players!”
“We are excited to continue the treasured traditions of Quad City Bank and Trust Riverfront Pops with a Celebration of the Music of Journey, the Harry Potter™ Film Concert Series with the sixth installment, and two performances of Holiday Brass,” said QCSO Executive Director Brian Baxter. “We hope you will also join us in celebrating the start of the extended holiday season with Disney’s Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert on Halloween weekend.”
QCSO Masterworks performances are held on Saturday evenings at the Adler Theatre, 136 E 3rd St, Davenport, Iowa, and Sunday afternoons at Centennial Hall, Augustana College, 3703 7th Ave, Rock Island, Illinois, unless otherwise noted. The following works are scheduled for the 2023-2024 Season:
MASTERWORKS SERIES
All Masterworks Concerts are sponsored in part by the Regional Development Authority, Illinois Arts Council, Iowa Arts Council, and National Endowment for the Arts
Masterworks I: From Conflict to Courage
October 7, 2023 | 7:30PM | Adler Theatre
October 8, 2023 | 2PM | Centennial Hall
Mark Russell Smith, conductor
Tommy Mesa, cello
SAMUEL BARBER The School for Scandal, Overture, Op 5
ANDREA CASARRUBIOS Seven
JESSIE MONTGOMERY Divided for solo cello and orchestra
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony N° 5, Op 47, D minor
Masterworks II: An American Tapestry
November 4, 2023 | 7:30PM | Adler Theatre
November 5, 2023 | 2PM | Centennial Hall
Mark Russell Smith, conductor
Michelle Cann, piano
AARON COPLAND Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes 1. Buckaroo Holiday
JUDITH SHATIN Piping the Earth
AMY BEACH Symphony N° 2 in E minor, Op 32, “Gaelic”: III. Lento con molto espressione
JOHN ADAMS Short Ride in a Fast Machine
SERGEI RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto N° 2 in C minor, Op 18
Masterworks III: Winter Wonders
December 2, 2023 | 7:30PM | Adler Theatre
December 3, 2023 | 2PM | Bartlett Performing Arts Center
Mark Russell Smith, conductor
Andrew Parker, Oboe
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL Alexander's Feast Suite
JEROD IMPICHCHAACHAAHA’ TATE The Indian Spirit at Mesa Falls, from Winter Moons
JOHN HARBISON Snow Country
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Symphony N° 39, K.543, E♭ major
Masterworks IV: The Stars Above & Sands Below
February 3, 2024 | 7:30PM | Adler Theatre
February 4, 2024 | 2PM | Centennial Hall
Mark Russell Smith, conductor
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN The Depiction of Chaos from The Creation
MARY HOWE Stars and Sand for Orchestra
MICHAEL ABELS Liquify
BEDŘICH SMETANA Vltava, “The Moldau” from Má Vlast
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Symphony N° 6, Op 68, “Pastorale”
Presented in partnership with KV265 and Living Lands & Waters
Masterworks V: The Fauré Requiem
March 2, 2024 | 7:30PM | Adler Theatre
March 3, 2024 | 2PM | Centennial Hall
Mark Russell Smith, conductor
Sarah Shafer, soprano
Matt Baker, trumpet
Hannah Holman, cello
Nathaniel Sullivan, baritone
Augustana Oratorio Society & Choral Artists, Jon Hurty, director
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Cantata N° 51, I. Aria: “Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen!”
Prelude from the First Cello Suite
Suite (Overture) N° 3, BWV 1068, II. Air
St Matthew Passion
N° 48 Recit: For us he naught but good has done
N° 49 Aria: For Love now is my Savior dying
N°.54 Chorale: O Head so Sorely Wounded
N°.64 Recit: At evening’s hour of cooling rest
N°.65 Aria: Make yourself now pure, my Heart
Brandenburg Concerto No.2, BWV 1047
GABRIEL FAURÉ Requiem, Op 48
Masterworks VI: The Force of Fate
April 6, 2024 | 7:30PM | Adler Theatre
April 7, 2024 | 2PM | Centennial Hall
Mark Russell Smith, conductor
Ricardo Morales, clarinet
ANGEL LAM New Work
Part of Virginia B Toulmin Orchestral Commission Program (facilitated by the League of American Orchestras)
JACOB BANCKS Clarinet Concerto QCSO co-commission
PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony N° 4, Op 36
GALA
April 27, 2024 | 7:30PM | Adler Theatre
Mark Russell Smith, conductor
Emanuel Ax, piano
GUSTAV MAHLER Blumine
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Piano Concerto, N° 25, K503
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Piano Concerto, N° 20, K466
IGOR STRAVINSKY The Firebird Suite (1919 version)
April 27, 2024 | 9:3oPM | Gold Room, Hotel Blackhawk
Join us for a decadent dessert reception immediately following the gala concert. At this ticketed event, mingle with fellow concert goers, Musicians, and the Maestro, and have an opportunity personally congratulate the guest of honor on an incredible performance.
POPS SERIES
Quad City Bank and Trust Riverfront Pops: A Symphonic Celebration of the Music of Journey
August 26, 2023 | 7:30PM | LeClaire Park
Ernesto Estigarribia, conductor
Jeans ‘N Classics
“When the lights go down in the city,” join us along the banks of the Mississippi for the Party of the Summer! Celebrate Journey’s 50th Anniversary by belting out the band’s greatest hits including “Separate Ways,” “Wheel in The Sky,” “Open Arms,” and “Don’t Stop Believin’!” This spectacular event closes with our traditional renditions of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever set to a brilliant fireworks display.
Sponsored by Quad City Bank and Trust.
Disney’s Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert
October 28, 2023 | 2PM | Adler Theatre
Ernesto Estigarribia, conductor
This Halloween, experience Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas like never before! Follow the earnest-but-misguided adventures of Jack Skellington, Halloween Town's beloved Pumpkin King, as he attempts to kidnap Santa Clause and take over the Christmas holiday. Watch this timeless holiday classic in its entirety as the Quad City Symphony Orchestra performs every note of Grammy®-winning composer Danny Elfman’s score live to film.
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts. © All rights reserved.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ in Concert
November 18, 2023 | 2PM | Adler Theatre
November 18, 2023 | 7:30PM | Alder Theatre
Ernesto Estigarribia, conductor
Relive the magic of year six in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ in Concert. With this film, based on the sixth installment of the classic saga, fans of all ages can now experience the thrilling tale of Harry’s obsession with a mysterious potions book accompanied by the music of the Quad City Symphony orchestra as Harry soars across the big screen in HD!
Part of the Harry Potter™ Film Concert Series Brought to you by CineConcerts
WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc Publishing Rights © JKR. (s23)
UP CLOSE
Chamber Music Series
September 23, 2023 | 7:30PM | First Presbyterian Church, Davenport
Thomas Mesa, cello and Greg Zelek, organ
Enjoy an evening of cello and organ music before Tommy Mesa joins the QCSO to open our Masterworks Season.
Presented in Partnership with Music at First Pres
Up Close with Living Lands and Waters
January 20, 2024 | 7:30PM | Figge Art Museum
Emily Nash and Sabrina Tabby, violin, Bruno Vaz da Silva, viola, Hannah Holman, cello, Kit Polen, bass, and Marian Lee, piano
ANGEL LAM Work TBD
JOHN LUTHER ADAMS Dream of the Canyon Wren for string quartet
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN String Quartet Op 64 N° 5 Lark
FRANZ SCHUBERT Trout Quintet
Presented in Partnership with Living Lands & Waters
May 19, 2024 | 5PM | Figge Art Museum
Marc Zyla, horn and Marian Lee, piano
MARGARET BROUWER Sonata for Horn and Piano
FREDERICK TILLIS Spiritual Fantasy N° 5
GUSTAV MAHLER Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen (trans Douglas Sparkes)
PAUL HINDEMITH Sonata for Alto Horn and Piano
Presented in partnership with the Figge Art Museum
June 8, 2024 | 7:30PM | Butterworth Center
Dave Scholl, bass and Mio Nakamura, piano
Enjoy an intimate evening of music with principal bass Dave Scholl at the historic Butterworth Center followed by a season-closing cocktail reception.
Presented in partnership with the Butterworth Center Deere-Wiman House
SPECIAL EVENTS
August 3, 2023 | 6PM | Mississippi River Distilling Company, Celebration Center
Kick off the season with an evening of beautiful rooftop views of the Mississippi River, delicious spirits, and cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, great music, and fantastic company, all while supporting the QCSO.
October 21, 2023 | 5:30PM | Figge Art Museum
5:30PM Cocktails and Hors D’oeuvres
7:30PM Dinner, Auction, and Performance
Experience an elegant evening at the Figge for one of the most popular fundraising events in the Quad Cities! Tickets include a cocktail hour, dinner, a performance, a paddle raise, and a live auction with Maestro Mark Russell Smith as your auctioneer to benefit the QCSO's education programs.
December 9, 2023 | 7:30PM | Second Baptist Church, Rock Island
December 10, 2023 | 3PM | St Paul Lutheran, Davenport
Mark Russell Smith, conductor
Chris Nelson, organ
Ring in the holiday season with members of the QCSO Brass and Percussion sections! Under the direction of Maestro Mark Russell Smith, the ensemble is joined by organist Chris Nelson to perform uplifting selections of classical and holiday favorites.
TICKETS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
Ticket sales for 2023-24 Season Concerts open first to Subscribers on March 29, 2023, 9AM. Renewing 2022-23 QCSO Subscribers will have early access to purchase Emanual Ax tickets on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, and a second pre-sale period will open on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, for any 2023-24 Subscription purchasers. Single Tickets open to the public on May 16, 2023, 9AM.
Quad City Symphony Orchestra tickets are available at the QCSO box office at 327 Brady St, Davenport. You can also call the QCSO at (563) 322-7276 or visit qcso.org.
