The Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s 29th season abounds with new directions, exciting collaborations, and stirring concerts. With the 2008-2009 season, the PSO marks the second phase of its search for a Music Director. Once again, guest conductors chosen from among the world’s rising stars will lead the orchestra in several cornerstone works from the classical music repertoire. And in a tradition long valued by the PSO audiences and musicians, you’ll hear new and lesser-known works as well. Each concert will highlight the talents of distinguished and acclaimed soloists performing best-loved concertos and one new work by a Princeton composer, commissioned by the PSO.

Among the highlights of the season will be our collaboration with Princeton’s 225th anniversary celebration of the year 1783, when Princeton was the Nation’s capital. Steven Isserlis, a cellist of international renown, will perform Haydn’s elegant D Major Cello Concerto, composed in 1783. Another high point will be the premiere of a new clarinet concerto composed for the PSO by Paul Moravec, Artist in Residence at the Institute for Advanced Study. This new composition will be previewed in an open master class with the composer, soloist and conductor at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts.

As always, you will be treated to a lustrous sound and superb performances which last season won the praise of critics from Philadelphia to Newark, “ …inspired effects everywhere exploited….the orchestra aglow….players feeling the depth of the music…..brass like liquid amber….the audience piqued for the next musical surprise……a performance that threatened to burn down Richardson Auditorium…by the looks and sounds of things, the Princeton Symphony is energized.”

Don’t forget our Chamber Series, Pops and Holiday concerts, as well as the BRAVO performances, all of which earn the Princeton Symphony top honors as the source for magnificent live music-making in Princeton. Reserve your seats with the PSO for the season in which we will select our next Music Director. Join us for the guest conductors and soloists and listen to the PSO sound, what critics call the orchestra’s “virtuosic verve.” Discover the gem that is the Princeton Symphony Orchestra –Princeton’s very own professional orchestra!