NEWS
Preview: 'The Ring without Words' with the CIM Orchestra
CLEVELAND — Cleveland Scene has published a brief preview of Brett Mitchell's upcoming performance with the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra:
Former Cleveland Orchestra associate conductor Brett Mitchell will return to town to lead the CIM Orchestra in the late Lorin Maazel’s The Ring Without Words, a compact, user-friendly, no-singers-in-sight version of Richard Wagner’s cycle of four operas based on old Norse Legends. The free concert takes place on Wednesday, March 28 at 8:00 pm in Kulas Hall at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Can’t make it to the performance? It’ll be broadcast live over WCLV, 104.9 FM.
To read the complete preview, please click here.
Video: Brett Mitchell discusses John Williams's score for 'Star Wars'
Brett Mitchell in the Colorado Public Radio studios. (Photo by CPR/Monica Vischer)
DENVER — Before leading the Colorado Symphony in performances of the score of Star Wars: A New Hope this weekend, Brett Mitchell sat down with David Rutherford in the Colorado Public Radio Performance Studio to explore some of the highlights of John Williams's iconic soundtrack.
Mr. Mitchell talked about the discussions between Williams and director George Lucas that helped spawn some of the most memorable film music in history, and he showed how Williams used musical themes to represent different characters like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader.
Watch the conversation in the video below, or read the article from Colorado Public Radio: "Watch: John Williams' Music For 'Star Wars' Is Brilliant In Ways You Never Realized."
Debut with the Minnesota Orchestra
MINNEAPOLIS — Brett Mitchell will make his subscription debut with the Minnesota Orchestra on November 15, 16, and 17, 2018, as part of the orchestra's 2018-19 season, the organization has announced. The program will be:
PUTS - Inspiring Beethoven
SHOSTAKOVICH - Cello Concerto No. 2
Anthony Ross, cello
BEETHOVEN - Symphony No. 7
For more information, please click here.
Preview: Minnesota Orchestra's 2018-19 season includes Brett Mitchell's debut
Brett Mitchell will make his debut with the Minnesota Orchestra in a program of Puts, Shostakovich, and Beethoven in Orchestra Hall on November 15, 16, and 17, 2018.
ST. PAUL, MN — The St. Paul Pioneer Press has published an article about the Minnesota Orchestra's newly announced 2018-19 season, which will feature Brett Mitchell's debut on the orchestra's classical series.
Conductor Brett Mitchell makes his Minnesota Orchestra debut for a bill that includes Dmitri Shostakovich’s Second Cello Concerto [with Principal Cello Anthony Ross] and works by Ludwig van Beethoven and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts, who directs the orchestra’s Composer Institute (Nov. 15-17).
Read the article: "Minnesota Orchestra’s season includes an all-American fest, rapper Dessa, ‘Star Wars’ and yoga"
Audio: Brett Mitchell previews the Colorado Symphony's 2018-19 season on KOA NewsRadio
Music Director Brett Mitchell spoke with KOA NewsRadio about the Colorado Symphony's 2018-19 season. (Photo by Peter Lockley)
DENVER — Brett Mitchell spoke with Ed Greene, host of "KOA Q&A" on KOA NewsRadio, about the Colorado Symphony's newly announced 2018-19 season, Mitchell's second as Music Director. To hear this interview, please click here.
Season Announcement: "Cleveland Orchestra stocks 2018-19 season with new, unusual and ambitious music"
Brett Mitchell will return to Severance Hall to lead The Cleveland Orchestra's 2018-19 season finale. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
CLEVELAND — The Plain Dealer has published an article about The Cleveland Orchestra's newly announced 2018-19 season, which features Brett Mitchell's return to the Severance Hall stage. Mr. Mitchell will lead three performances of George Gershwin's An American in Paris—accompanying the classic 1951 film—on May 30, 31, and June 1, 2019, the orchestra's season finale weekend.
Mr. Mitchell served on The Cleveland Orchestra's conducting staff from 2013 to 2017, first as Assistant Conductor (2013-15), then as Associate Conductor (2015-17). These performances mark Mr. Mitchell's second return to the orchestra since his departure to become Music Director of the Colorado Symphony in 2017.
Read the article: "Cleveland Orchestra stocks 2018-19 season with new, unusual and ambitious music"
Brett Mitchell returns to The Cleveland Orchestra
Brett Mitchell will lead The Cleveland Orchestra's 2018-19 season finale in Severance Hall. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
CLEVELAND — Brett Mitchell will return to Severance Hall to lead The Cleveland Orchestra's 2018-19 subscription season finale, the organization has announced. Mr. Mitchell will lead three performances of George Gershwin's An American in Paris—accompanying the classic 1951 film—on May 30, 31, and June 1, 2019.
Mr. Mitchell served on The Cleveland Orchestra's conducting staff from 2013 to 2017, first as Assistant Conductor (2013-15), then as Associate Conductor (2015-17). These performances mark Mr. Mitchell's second return to the orchestra since his departure to become Music Director of the Colorado Symphony in 2017.
For more information about these performances, please click here.
Colorado Symphony announces its 2018-19 season, Brett Mitchell's second as Music Director
DENVER — The Colorado Symphony has announced its 2018-19 season, which marks Brett Mitchell's second as Music Director. Over the course of the season, Mr. Mitchell will lead the orchestra in ten classical subscription weeks and half a dozen other special projects.
Demonstrating his deep commitment to American music, Mr. Mitchell will conduct works by twenty American composers over the course of the Colorado Symphony's 2018-19 season. After opening the season with a world premiere by the orchestra's principal timpanist, William Hill, Mr. Mitchell will lead works by an additional ten living American composers: John Adams, John Williams, Matthew Jackfert, Randol Alan Bass, Jennifer Higdon, Joseph Schwantner, Mason Bates, Kevin Puts, Missy Mazzoli, and Adam Schoenberg. Mr. Mitchell will also lead nine works by previous generations of American composers: Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, Bernard Herrmann, Peter Lieberson, David Diamond, Leonard Bernstein, and Charles Ives.
Additional highlights of Mr. Mitchell's second season as Music Director of the Colorado Symphony include:
Benjamin Britten's War Requiem (Nov. 2-4), in commemoration of the November 11, 1918 Armistice that signaled the end of World War I
Itzhak Perlman plays the Beethoven Violin Concerto (Jan. 10). Also on the program: Jennifer Higdon's Fanfare Ritmico and Ginastera's Variaciones concertantates.
Subscription performances of Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2, Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 ("From the New World"), Brahms's Symphony No. 4, Ravel's orchestration of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, and Orff's Carmina Burana
Mr. Mitchell will collaborate with the following soloists during the Colorado Symphony's 2018-19 season:
Jeremy Denk plays Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 25 (Sep. 14-16)
Joyce Yang plays Gershwin's Concerto in F (Sep. 28-30)
Actor Damon Gupton narrates Copland's Lincoln Portrait and Joseph Schwantner's New Morning for the World (Daybreak of Freedom) (Jan. 18-20)
Mezzo-soprano Kelly O'Connor sings Peter Lieberson's Neruda Songs (Feb. 14-17)
Joshua Roman plays Mason Bates's Cello Concerto (Mar. 1-3)
Augustin Hadelich plays the Barber Violin Concerto (Mar. 29-31)
Colorado Symphony principal oboist Peter Cooper plays Kevin Puts's Oboe Concerto (Apr. 12-14)
Conrad Tao plays Ravel's Piano Concerto in G major (May 10-12)
Mr. Mitchell will lead several other special programs throughout the season, including:
An Evening with Leslie Odom, Jr. (Oct. 13)
Home Alone (complete film with John Williams's score performed live, Nov. 23)
A Classical Christmas (Dec. 7-8)
New Year's Eve (Dec. 31)
Amadeus (complete film with Mozart's music performed live, Jan. 25-26)
Season Announcement: "A Peek At The Colorado Symphony's 2018-19 Schedule"
Music Director Brett Mitchell and the Colorado Symphony. (Photo by Brandon Marshall)
DENVER — Colorado Public Radio Classical has published a story about the Colorado Symphony's newly announced 2018-19 season, which will mark Brett Mitchell's second as Music Director:
The Colorado Symphony announced its plans for the 2018-19 season today. The lineup features masterworks, a smattering of pops concerts, and concerts by legendary violinists Itzhak Perlman and Pinchas Zukerman.
There’s also a healthy dose of music by living composers—one of Music Director Brett Mitchell’s passions—including Jennifer Higdon, Mason Bates, and John Adams.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights:
Sept. 14-16: The opening weekend program includes Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 and a new piece by composer and Colorado Symphony timpanist William Hill.
Sept. 28-30: The orchestra performs George Gershwin’s Concerto in F with pianist Joyce Yang. The program also includes Duke Ellington’s “Three Black Kings” and John Adams’ “City Noir.”
Nov. 2-4: The symphony marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I with a performance of Benjamin Britten’s "War Requiem" with the Colorado Symphony Chorus and Colorado Children’s Chorale.
Jan. 10, 2019: Violinist Itzhak Perlman makes an appearance with the symphony, playing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto.
March 1-3: The symphony plays two pieces by composer Mason Bates, including a Cello Concerto with cellist Joshua Roman. The program includes Symphony No. 7 by Beethoven.
May 24-26: The season ends with a performance of Carl Orff’s powerful “Carmina Burana,” with help from the Colorado Symphony Chorus and Colorado Children’s Chorale.
To read the complete article, please click here.
Video: Bringing Music to Life
DENVER — Brett Mitchell has filmed a promotional video for Bringing Music to Life, a Denver-based not-for-profit that enriches the lives of Colorado children and their communities by collecting, repairing, and distributing donated musical instruments to schools and music programs, providing children who otherwise might not have the opportunity with the benefits that come from learning to play.
Brett Mitchell returns to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
DALLAS — Brett Mitchell will return to guest conduct the Dallas Symphony Orchestra during their 2018-19 season, the orchestra has announced. Mr. Mitchell will lead four performances of the following program on October, 4, 5, 6, and 7, 2018, at Meyerson Symphony Center:
THEOFANIDIS - Rainbow Body
ELGAR - Cockaigne (In London Town)
ORFF - Carmina Burana
Additional information can be found in the following articles:
Dallas Morning News: "Dallas Symphony Orchestra unveils its 2018-19 season. Who will lead when Jaap van Zweden leaves?"
Texas Classical Review: "20 conductors take podium duties in the Dallas Symphony’s 2018-19 season"
Debut with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
VANCOUVER — Brett Mitchell will make his subscription debut with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on February 7, 8, and 9, 2019, as part of the orchestra's 100th-anniversary season, the organization has announced. The program will be:
SMETANA - The Moldau
GRIEG - Piano Concerto
Andrew von Oeyen, piano
DVOŘÁK - Symphony No. 8
For more information, please click here.
Preview: "Daphnis et Chloé" with the Colorado Symphony
Brett Mitchell will lead the Colorado Symphony and Chorus in works of Debussy, Salonen, and Ravel on February 2, 3, and 4 at Boettcher Concert Hall in downtown Denver. (Photo by Brandon Marshall)
DENVER — Westword has included Brett Mitchell's upcoming subscription weekend with the Colorado Symphony on its list of "The 21 Best Events in Denver, January 30-February 5":
Valentine's Day is still weeks away, but readers can get into the loverly spirit early at a trio of concerts from the esteemed Colorado Symphony. Conductor Brett Mitchell welcomes the Colorado Symphony Chorus (under the direction of Duain Wolfe) and soprano Jessica Rivera to bring Maurice Ravel's "choreographed symphony," Daphnis et Chloé, to thrillingly balletic life. Romantic interpretations of the Greek mythos thematically bind a music program that also includes Claude Debussy's "Syrinx" and "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun," as well as Esa-Pekka Salonen's "Five Images After Sappho." Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 2, and Saturday, February 3, with an additional 1 p.m. matinee performance on Sunday, February 4; all performances will be at Boettcher Concert Hall, in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Visit the Symphony's box-office page for tickets, $15 to $89, and more details.
To read the complete article, please click here.
Video: "The new face of the Colorado Symphony"
DENVER — Next with Kyle Clark, the 6 p.m. newscast from Denver's NBC affiliate, has produced a profile of Brett Mitchell as he continues into the second half of his inaugural season as Music Director of the Colorado Symphony.
To watch the profile as it appeared on the live broadcast, please click the video above or visit the story on 9NEWS's website: "The new face of the Colorado Symphony".
To watch an extended, unedited clip (12 min.), please click the video below.
Brett Mitchell's appointment as Music Director of Colorado Symphony featured in "The Year in Denver Arts and Culture"
Brett Mitchell and the Colorado Symphony welcomed soprano Renée Fleming for his inaugural concert as Music Director at Boettcher Concert Hall on September 9, 2017. (Photo by Brandon Marshall)
DENVER — The Denver Business Journal features Brett Mitchell's appointment as Music Director of the Colorado Symphony in its 2017 year-in-review, "The Year in Denver Arts and Culture":
This was a year of fresh starts and breakthroughs on the local culture front... A look back at some cultural highlights of 2017:
The symphony gets a refresh. Brett Mitchell, new CSO conductor, bows with a season-opener concert featuring opera superstar Renée Fleming. In an interview with the Denver Business Journal, Mitchell said, “It takes years to figure out where a new music director is taking an orchestra,” Mitchell said. “The things you will notice right away are the programming… look at kinds of repertoire I like to program, you’ll see more of that contemporary American voice.” Overall, the down-to-earth maestro said, “my goal is to give the audience reason to come to the concert. Because I’ve got Spotify like everybody else. I could listen in my living room, with my glass of wine, with my wife, and not put pants on…”
To read the complete article, please click here. (Subscription required.)
Brett Mitchell's performances with The Cleveland Orchestra featured in "2017 Classical Music Year in Review"
Brett Mitchell led The Cleveland Orchestra in four performances of West Side Story at Severance Hall in June 2017. (Photo by Roger Mastroianni)
CLEVELAND — The Plain Dealer has included Brett Mitchell's performances of West Side Story with The Cleveland Orchestra among the highlights of its "2017 Classical Music Year in Review":
It had been a while since this fan had seen "West Side Story" or attended the complete score by Leonard Bernstein. But my love for both the film and the music came rushing back in June when the Cleveland Orchestra and then-associate conductor Brett Mitchell concluded their 2016-17 Severance Hall season with a stellar live performance of the work. If ever there were any doubts about orchestras accompanying films, that night laid them all to rest for good.
To read the complete article, please click here.
Yo-Yo Ma joins Brett Mitchell and the Colorado Symphony (Sun., Dec. 10)
The Colorado Symphony and music director Brett Mitchell welcome Yo-Yo Ma to Denver on Sunday, December 10.
DENVER — Yo-Yo Ma will join the Colorado Symphony and music director Brett Mitchell for a sold-out performance on Sunday, December 10 at Boettcher Concert Hall in downtown Denver. On the program:
WILLIAMS - Sound the Bells!
COPLAND - Appalachian Spring (complete ballet for full orchestra)
DVOŘÁK - Cello Concerto
To learn more, please click here.
Debut with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra
INTERLOCHEN, MI — Brett Mitchell will make his debut with the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at the Interlochen Center for the Arts on Sunday, July 29, 2018, the organization has announced. The program will be:
BATES - Devil's Radio
DVOŘÁK - Romance for Violin and Orchestra (Jeff Thayer, violin)
BRAHMS - Symphony No. 4
For more information, please click here.
Colorado Symphony will present "Star Wars: A New Hope"
Brett Mitchell will lead two performances of John Williams's iconic score for Star Wars: A New Hope with the Colorado Symphony in March 2018.
DENVER — Westword has published a preview of two newly announced performances Brett Mitchell will lead during his inaugural season as Music Director of the Colorado Symphony:
The Colorado Symphony, led by ambitious new music director Brett Mitchell, will be performing the score of Star Wars: A New Hope, alongside two fortieth anniversary screenings of the film, in March 2018.
Back in 1977, this first Star Wars movie introduced such characters as Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Darth Vader to the Hollywood pantheon. The score won composer John Williams an Academy Award; it has been designated the greatest American film score of all time by the American Film Institute.
The concert will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, and 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, at Broomfield's 1STBANK Center.
From a preview by The Denver Post:
Whether you love or loathe “Star Wars,” it’s difficult to deny that its score is a masterpiece. As soon as the horns in the intro of “Main Theme” strike up, Earth becomes a distant memory, replaced by space ship battles, brother-sister bonding experiences and the beautiful sensibility of a universe where a greedy bounty hunter alien is named “Greedo.”
If you can’t hear the strings yet, you will soon. Led by Music Director Brett Mitchell, the Colorado Symphony announced it will bring John Williams’ massive score from “Star Wars: A New Hope” to Broomfield’s FirstBank Center in 2018 for what it claims is the first time in Colorado history.
Finally, 303 Magazine also has a preview:
We are mere weeks away from the opening of the latest movie to join the Star Wars franchise, Star Wars: The Last Jedi. But it’s not the only Star Wars event on the horizon worth looking forward to — descending upon the 1stBank Center for two days only, on March 22 and 24, 2018, The Colorado Symphony will present Star Wars: A New Hope. The event will feature live performances of the musical scores alongside screenings of the complete movie as conducted by Colorado Symphony Music Director, Brett Mitchell. John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score to A New Hope will surely provide an unforgettable symphonic experience for the many generations of Star Wars fans in Colorado.
Review: "Romanticism, grandeur mark symphony concert"
Brett Mitchell was the guest conductor for the San Antonio Symphony classical concert Friday night at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. (Photo by Jeff Nelson)
SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Express-News has published a review of Brett Mitchell's debut with the San Antonio Symphony:
Elegant 19th-century European Romanticism was answered by 20th-century American heroics during the San Antonio Symphony’s classical series concert Friday night.
Two talented guest artists, a pianist and a conductor, made sure the program of Franz Liszt and Aaron Copland was both varied and compatible....
[Pianist Scott] Cuellar and guest conductor Brett Mitchell, of the Colorado Symphony, collaborated for a luxuriant exploration of the concerto rather than a flashy, flamboyant one....
The concert concluded with Copland’s Symphony No. 3, known for its use of the composer’s “Fanfare for the Common Man.” Most of the work was characterized by pastoral scenery punctuated by surges of orchestral power.
Mitchell conjured a sense of spaciousness, especially in the third movement. The fanfare, introduced by flutes in the fourth movement, unfolded with spine-tingling grandeur. It seemingly spoke of a nation poised for an unbridled future of progress and prosperity, which the United States was when the piece premiered in 1946.
The concert opened with Liszt’s “Les Préludes,” one of music history’s original symphonic poems. Mitchell added drama with slower tempos than is usually heard. The relaxed pace was especially effective for the love theme in the middle before the work’s initial soaring theme returned with brassy glory at the end.
To read the complete review, please click here.