Artist Recital Series Set to Begin 128th Season

August 16, 2006—Oberlin College’s Artist Recital Series, one of the oldest continuing concert series in the United States, launches the 2006-07 season — its 128th — with members of the distinguished Emerson String Quartet and pianist Wu Han on Saturday, September 30, at 8 p.m.

Subscription tickets are now available for the seven-concert series, which includes tenor Juan Diego Flórez in one of only two American recitals this season; the American Brass Quintet; the Cleveland Orchestra conducted by Philippe Jordan and featuring pianist Angela Hewitt; the New York Woodwind Quintet; pianist Jonathan Biss; and Gil Shaham and Friends performing an all-Brahms program. All concert performances for the series take place in Oberlin’s historic Finney Chapel, and all seats are reserved. Free parking is available throughout the campus.

A special bonus event is available to those who purchase the entire series of seven concerts: a free ticket to a master class by legendary mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne in Finney Chapel on Sunday, October 29, at 8 p.m. Seating for the bonus event is general admission.

In addition, those purchasing the complete, seven-concert series by September 15 will be given the opportunity to purchase a second identical subscription at half price. September 15 is also the deadline for returning subscribers who wish to retain the seats they had last season. New subscribers to the series who purchase a full subscription by September 15 will receive a second subscription free.

Prices for the subscription package are as follows: students: $42; those with an Oberlin College I.D. (Oberlin College faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and area educators): $114; seniors 55-years of age or older: $114; general public: $125. Group rates are available.

Please call Oberlin’s Central Ticket Service’s (CTS) 24-hour reservation line (440-775-8169 or 1-800-371-0178) for complete ticket information or to request a free brochure. The CTS box office is located in the lobby of Hall Auditorium, 67 N. Main St. (Route 58), between the Oberlin Inn and the Allen Memorial Art Museum. Box-office hours are Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m.

Single tickets will be available for purchase after September 18. Tickets purchased at the door the day of the performance are an additional $3. Concert artists, programs, and dates are subject to change. Finney Chapel is wheelchair accessible and is located on the southwest corner of Lorain St. (Route 511) and N. Professor St., across from Tappan Square.

Since the inception of the Artist Recital Series in 1878, more than 1,000 of the most acclaimed and accomplished musicians, conductors, orchestras, chamber ensembles, and composers have graced the stage of Finney Chapel. Stars of such international stature as Dave Brubeck, Alicia de Larrocha, Glenn Gould, Denyce Graves, Jascha Heifetz, Vladimir Horowitz, Yo-Yo Ma, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Isaac Stern, George Szell, and Eugene Ysaÿe, to name but a few, have performed under the auspices of the series. Since 1919, the Cleveland Orchestra has appeared on the series every season for a total of 204 performances under the baton of such illustrious—and varied—conductors as Nikolai Sokoloff (38 times), Artur Rodzinski (25 times), George Szell (60 times), Robert Shaw, Pierre Boulez, Lorin Maazel, Simon Rattle, Yoel Levi, Christoph von Dohnányi, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Jahja Ling, Robert Spano, Franz Welser-Möst, Mitskuko Uchida, and Steven Smith. More than an impressive "Who’s Who," the list of artists and ensembles to appear on the series is an illumination of the best of serious music, spanning the late 19th century to the present.

The Oberlin Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College sponsors the Artist Recital Series with additional support from the Friends of the Artist Recital Series. There are many benefits to becoming a Friend of the Artist Recital Series, including additional discounts on subscription packages, complimentary recordings, recognition in concert programs, and invitations to receptions with guest artists. Membership fees are tax deductible. For additional information, please call 440-775-8169.