Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Explore Copland's Symphony No. 3 in
Off the Cuff, April 18

Baltimore, Md. (March 24, 2009) - Music Director Marin Alsop will lead the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Copland's Symphony No. 3. Copland's first full-scale symphony reflects the American spirit that typifies this composer's works. Editor's Note: "Off the Cuff" concerts start an hour earlier than most BSO performances. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and ends before 8:30 p.m., with no intermission. See below for complete program information.

American composer Aaron Copland was recognized for creating music more quintessentially American than that of any of his peers. A witness to the effects of the Great Depression, Copland decided to address his music not to the elite few but to the general music-lover, while simultaneously refusing to compromise his own fierce integrity. His first large-scale symphony was Symphony No. 3, an end-of-war piece intended to reflect the euphoric spirit of the country at the conclusion of World War II. Divided into three separate movements, the piece commences with simplicity and gentleness, and ends with Copland's signature nostalgic-Americana style. Conductor Marin Alsop will discuss how Copland was able to compose what is perhaps the most significant symphony written by an American composer, and will be answering questions concerning Copland's music and its ability to reflect so much of the American essence.


Marin Alsop, conductor
Hailed as one of the world's leading conductors for her artistic vision and commitment to accessibility in classical music, Marin Alsop made history with her appointment as the 12th music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. With her inaugural concerts in September 2007, she became the first woman to head a major American orchestra, which mirrored her ongoing success in the United Kingdom, where she served as the principal conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony from 2002-2008 and now holds the title of conductor emeritus. In 2005, Marin Alsop was named a MacArthur Fellow, the first conductor ever to receive this prestigious award. In 2007, she was honored with a European Women of Achievement Award; in 2008 she was inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and in 2009, Musical America named her Conductor of the Year. Maestra Alsop is a regular guest conductor with the New York Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic. She also appears frequently as a guest conductor with many distinguished orchestras worldwide. After a highly successful 12?year tenure as music director of the Colorado Symphony, Ms. Alsop continues her association as conductor laureate. She also continues as music director of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in California. Marin Alsop attended Yale University and received her master's degree from The Juilliard School. In 1989, her conducting career was launched when she became a prizewinner at the Leopold Stokowski International Conducting Competition.

COMPLETE PROGRAM INFORMATION
Off the Cuff: Copland: An American Classic
Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

Marin Alsop, conductor

Copland: Symphony No. 3

Tickets for this concert range from $20 to $60, and are available through the BSO Ticket Office, 877.BSO.1444, 410.783.8000 or www.BSOmusic.org.

*BSO patrons are encouraged to visit BSOmusic.org/cuff to learn more about exclusive Off the Cuff restaurant promotions.

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