The Philadelphia Orchestra has announced its 2001-2 season; it's available
at:

http://inq.philly.com/content/inquirer/2001/01/28/arts_and_entertainment/ORCHBOX28.htm

The season straddles the end of its tenure at the Academy of Music at the
beginning of what should be be a marvelous new era in Verizon Hall at the
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.  Aside from the move, the highlight
should be a full 3 weeks of concerts of Viennese music under Simon Rattle,
a length that invites speculation that he may indeed be named Principal
Guest conductor (and definitely shows he can make room in his schedule when
he really wants to).  Christoph Eschenbach makes his first appearance as
director designate, while jilted suitors David Robertson and Roberto Abbado
seem to be settling in for long term relationships with this group (which
makes a nice change from the hysterical date -cancelling exhibited from
other musicians in similar circumstances over the years).  Murray Perahia
is playing all the Beethoven concertoes in January under Sawallisch.

Lots more modern music than this year as well, with a healthy dose of
premieres -- a huge relief after repertoire snooze-fest this season.

The season also seems designed to take advantage of the projected acoustics
of the new hall, ranging from large modern choral works (choruses in the
Academy tend to sound like they're at the end of a long tunnel -- which
they are!) to Mozart's "Gran Partita" Serenade (much Mozart, especially
the Serenades absolutely dies in the Academy's acoustical aridity.)

There will be huge cross-continental North American tour in the fall.
List members who haven't heard the Orchestra since Sawallisch rebuilt it
are strongly urged to hear them, as this will doubltess be Sawallisch's
last US tour.

Robin Mitchell-Boyask
Temple University
Philadelphia PA 19122