The Alabama Symphony Orchestra, based in Birmingham, will mark its centennial in 2020-21 with two world premieres and a new archival project chronicling the orchestra’s history. Music Director Carlos Izcaray will open the season in October with Ravel’s Alborada del gracioso, Mussorgsky/Ravel’s Pictures at an Exhibition, and William Levi Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony. In February the orchestra will perform the world premiere of Jihyun Kim’s The Yellow House, and April will feature the world premiere of Martin Kennedy’s Trombone Concerto, featuring ASO Principal Trombone Jay Evans as soloist. The Kim and Kennedy premieres were commissioned by the orchestra’s ongoing Sound Investment Program; The Yellow House is a co-commission with American Youth Symphony in Los Angeles, where Izcaray also serves as music director. The ASO’s first concert on April 29, 1921, featured 52 volunteer musicians performing at the Birmingham Music Festival. For its archival project, the ASO is inviting the public to contribute objects, photos, programs, or publications related to that 1921 festival, Birmingham Civic Symphony Association, Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Pops Orchestra, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, or the orchestra’s volunteer organizations. Mark Patrick is the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s interim executive director and general manager.
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