The Cleveland Orchestra’s 101st season will kick off September 20 at 7:30 PM at Severance Hall under the music direction of Franz Welser-Möst.

The concert will begin with Pantheon, a new piece by Cleveland Orchestra musician Jeffrey Rathbun, followed by Left, alone, described as “a story of conflict, solitariness, and communal exhilaration” by Danish composer Hans Abrahamsen, who wrote the piano concerto for just the left hand. The evening will conclude with Tchaikovsky’s famed ballet score, Swan Lake.

“When The Cleveland Orchestra announced the 100th Anniversary Celebration, I was excited for both the musicians and the entire organization, and knew that the recognition of this greatest of Orchestras would be very meaningful for all of our fans and supporters as well,” said Rathbun. “I wanted to contribute to this anniversary in some way, so I proposed writing a composition. Having been a member of the Orchestra for 28 out of its 100 years, I am familiar with my distinguished colleagues’ abilities, and a composer could never ask for a better ensemble to write for. My concept is to feature the sections that make up the Orchestra, both in individual solos, highlighting by section and combinations of sections. While the composer is the creator of a musical work, it is the distinguished musicians on stage that bring it to life—the illustrious performers being, in essence, a Pantheon of the highest artistic quality.”

“The season features musical discoveries with a deeper look at living composers,” added Welser-Möst. “Hans Abrahamsen’s Left, alone, for instance, written for piano left hand and orchestra, is a great example of the kind of interesting and dynamic new music being written today. After experiencing the beauty and impact of his stunning Let Me Tell You, which we performed with Barbara Hannigan two seasons back, I feel compelled to program more of Abrahamsen’s work. We have a sophisticated audience in Cleveland. I always want to bring to them music that may have been neglected, especially so we can discover something new together.”

A free pre-concert conversation with Executive Director André Gremillet and Music Director Welser-Möst will be held at 6:30 PM.

A second performance will be offered September 22 at 8 PM with the preview talk at 7 PM.

For ticket information click here.