The 2012-2013 Sarasota Orchestra season offers an unprecedented opportunity to experience many of the all-time greatest musical works in one magical season.

“These are the most popular pieces of great music. We refer to itas a ‘Greatest Hits’ collection of classical and pops favorites,” said Gordon Greenfield, the Orchestra’s vice president of marketing. With five exhilarating series, the Orchestra offers patrons a diverse mix of concerts from September to May. The Sarasota Orchestra also produces the world-renowned Sarasota Music Festival each June.

Masterworks
Every one of this year’s Masterworks concerts features one or more of the all-time most popular and famous classical works. Virtually everyone has heard excerpts of these titan works in popular culture, but may not have heard the entire work in a live concert setting. From Beethoven’s Ode to Joy to The Four Seasons to The Planets, these are the chestnuts of the classical repertoire.

This season also marks the Orchestra’s first search for a music director in 15 years. Each of the seven Masterworks concerts features a guest conductor, some of whom are auditioning for the directorship. Audiences will be asked to rate each conductor with an after-concert survey. Don’t miss your opportunity to weigh in on the future artistic direction of the Sarasota Orchestra.

Pops
Maestro Andrew Lane conducts the Pops series in saluting three very unique American musical genres.

The Sarasota Orchestra opens the series in January with a special tribute to the American musical, called Bravo Broadway. The musical journey continues with jazz, as the Sarasota Orchestra welcomes the Dukes of Dixieland; entertaining audiences with homegrown favorites straight out of New Orleans. The Pops season closes with a dazzling tribute to Frank Sinatra featuring the smooth styles and big voice of Michael Andrew.

Great Escapes
This enjoyable series of six concerts provides a delightful mix of Pops-like music with a sprinkling of light classics interspersed with informative and colorful comments by the conductor.

Innovations
Continuing the popular series of multimedia, narrated programs featuring classical music presented in new formats, the Innovations series promises to surprise, excite and interest both long-time lovers and newcomers to classical music.

Chamber Soirées
Ensembles made up of Orchestra musicians perform seven concerts throughout the season of exceptional chamber music. For more information, call 941.953.3434 or visit www.SarasotaOrchestra.org.