a musician widely considered to be the premiere banjo player in the world and leader of the bluegrass-fusion band, the Flecktones. Fleck will be performing the Saratoga premiere of his concerto for banjo titled The Imposter. His appearance kicks off a star-studded week at SPAC that also features internationally acclaimed cellist Johannes Moser, an evening of music and film from Disney’s Fantasia and Saturday’s ever-popular Tchaikovsky Spectacular highlighted by the debut appearance of award-winning Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21
8 p.m. The Philadelphia Orchestra with Béla Fleck
Widely considered to be the premiere banjo player in the world, Béla Fleck makes his debut appearance with The Philadelphia Orchestra to perform the Saratoga premiere of The Imposter, his concerto for banjo and orchestra. Explaining the concerto’s title, Fleck says, “The title of the piece refers to what I came to realize it was about all along. Everyone knows the feeling of being the outsider, or the ‘other,’ that you really don’t belong. A musician like myself can feel that way pretty regularly, even though the point of much of what I do is to attempt to find ways to fit naturally into many diverse environments. Working in so many different kinds of music beyond my native genre, I often do feel like an impostor, as though if anyone ever figured out the truth I'd be ejected immediately.”
Giancarlo Guerrero, Music Director of The Nashville Symphony which commissioned and presented the World Premiere of Fleck’s banjo concerto, conducts the evening’s performance, the first of two programs he leads at SPAC this week.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22
6 p.m. The Sage Colleges “Date Night”
One of the most popular pre-show events, The Sage Colleges “Date Night” is an ideal complement to an evening of world-class ballet. Guests can enjoy craft beer tastings, world-class wine tastings, complimentary imported cheeses and specialty treats and commemorative photo booths by Saratoga Photobooth Company.
8 p.m. The Philadelphia Orchestra with Johannes Moser
German-Canadian cellist Johannes Moser, who impressed SPAC audiences last season with his virtuosity, returns as the soloist for a program led by Giancarlo Guerrero. Moser’s reputation for exquisite performances of lesser-known repertoire and an affinity for new music have given him the opportunity to perform world premieres of several works for the cello and electric cello.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23
6 p.m. CDPHP “Family Night”
An event for the whole family, guests are treated to strolling magicians, free Stewart’s ice cream, balloon animals, Pediatric Dentistry’s “Smile Zone”, and complimentary photos by Saratoga Photobooth Company. Family Night also features Albany Medical Center Children’s Workshops on the Lawn and the Instrument Petting Zoo sponsored by the Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust. GE Kids in Free entitles children 12 and under to free lawn admission for orchestra performances; Citizens Bank Student Discount Program entitles students of any age to $10 lawn tickets or 25% discounted amphitheatre seating.
8 p.m. Disney’s Fantasia; A Philadelphia Orchestra Legacy
The magic of Disney’s Fantasia, the 1940 groundbreaking marriage of symphonic music and animation that has evolved into a classic comes to SPAC’s amphitheater. Musical excerpts will be performed as corresponding film sequences are projected onto SPAC’s cinema screens. A Tribute to Joseph C. Palamountain, Jr.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24
6 p.m. Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Colonial Re-enactors
Approximately 60 colonial re-enactors create “living history” military encampments on SPAC’s lawn. The re-enactors, who fire live cannons at the conclusion of the Orchestra’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, dress in period costume and offer demonstrations and discussion on life during the French & Indian and Revolutionary Wars.
8 p.m. |The Philadelphia Orchestra: Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Daniil Trifonov
Russian piano prodigy, Daniil Trifonov, who won medals at three of the world’s most prestigious international music competitions, will mark his debut at SPAC and with The Philadelphia Orchestra performing Rachmaninoff’s powerful Piano Concerto No. 2.
