OKLAHOMA CITY — When it comes to riveting musical retrospectives and head-spinning classical musicianship, there’s no show in town that outclasses the Oklahoma City Philharmonic.
Under the direction of Maestro Alexander Mickelthwate, the city’s premier assemblage of orchestral players has arguably never been more exciting, more diverse, or more cohesive in its quest to showcase the best of musical history from all styles and eras, from prestige classical to pop culture sing-a-longs.
And the lineup that Mickelthwate and the Phil have in store for the remainder of 2023 might just be the most interesting and varied yet.
As the OKC Philharmonic prepares for their much anticipated Opening Night celebration this Saturday, September 9th, let’s take a look at what you can expect to see and hear from them for the rest of the year.
Opening Night – Tchaikovsky Classics – Saturday, September 9th
Few figures in the history of orchestral composition are as synonymous with the complexity of high romance as the great Ukrainian-Russian Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and his work is sure to provide the perfect introductory showcase for the Phil’s talented players this season.
But apart from the technical skill and intellectual density of Tchaikovsky’s compositions, the night will be squarely focused on the deep well of emotion and passion behind “Symphony No. 6,” the evening’s focal point.
“His ‘Symphony No. 6’ (last performed here in Oklahoma over 10 years ago) is his most personal and private,” Mickelthwate said in a statement alongside the season’s program. “It stands on a similar level to Wagner’s ‘Tristan and Isolde’ or Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ Only that in Tchaikovsky’s case it was his own tragic love: loving men in Czarist Russia.”
As with many of the Philharmonic’s upcoming performances, the night will feature a special guest player, in this case, Ukrainian star violinist Anastasiya Petryshak, who will feature on Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto.”
Shining, Shimmering, Splendid: Sing Along with Phil! – Sunday, September 10th
The afternoon after Opening Night for the Phil sees the Civic Center transformed into a family fun zone, with all efforts focused on bringing the magic of orchestral and classical music to children.
The Philharmonic’s family mascot, Phil the Penguin, will be on hand to lead the audience in dancing and singing along to classic children’s favorites and beloved movie tunes, all under the direction of guest conductor and OU Director of Bands, Dr. Shanti Simon.
If you want to introduce your kids to the transcendence of live orchestral music but think Tchaikovsky might be a little over their heads, this is the event for you.
Gothic Midnight Classics – Saturday, October 7th
Perfectly timed for your early Halloween preparations, this night is set to focus on some of the darkest and most devilishly fantastical pieces in the classical canon.
Leading with Bach’s famously heavy, intimidating “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor,” the orchestra will set the appropriate mood before presenting one of Mickelthwate’s personal favorites, the “Symphonie Fantastique” by Hector Berlioz.
Conceived as an examination of hopelessness and despair, Berlioz’s five-movement masterwork culminates in the immortal “Dream of a Witches’ Sabbath,” featuring nightmarish musical imagery such as reanimated dancing skeletons, achieved by the violinists tapping the wooden sides of their bows on the strings.
The evening’s special guest will be award-winning Ukrainian piano prodigy Dmytro Choni.
Folk Roots: Mark O’Connor – Saturday, November 11th
One of the undisputed giants of violin, Mark O’Connor has been one of the go-to guys for folk-style fiddle mastery since the 1970s, playing with everyone from James Taylor to Yo-Yo Ma to even John Williams.
But in addition to his lifetime of lauded session work and collaborations, O’Connor is also one of the instrument’s greatest folk composers.
For one night only, he’ll be joining the OKC Phil (and his equally virtuosic violinist wife Maggie) to present a program of his own folk compositions alongside other important folk music explorations from some classical greats.
A Very Merry Pops – Friday, December 1st and Saturday, December 2nd
Nothing feels more like Christmas in OKC than the Philharmonic’s annual holiday celebration, setting the mood perfectly with classic, orchestral spins on all the holiday classics.
This year, they’ll be joined by the remarkable vocal talents of Grammy-winning jazz vocal group Take 6 and Oklahoma’s own endlessly acclaimed Sandi Patty.
Of course, festive dress, Santa hats, and ugly Christmas sweaters will be encouraged.
For a full look at the upcoming 2023-2024 season of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and for performance times, tickets, and more information, visit okcphil.org.
Brett Fieldcamp has been covering arts, entertainment, news, housing, and culture in Oklahoma for nearly 15 years, writing for several local and state publications. He’s also a musician and songwriter and holds a certification as Specialist of Spirits from The Society of Wine Educators.
