January 15, 2010 - January 16, 2010
All Tchaikovsky Debut with the NHK
Location: NHK HALL, TOKYO
Program: Tchaikovksy: Nutcracker ACT 2, Marche Slave, Piano Concerto 1

Making my debut with the famous NHK Orchestra of Tokyo in a fabulous new year program of Tchaikovsky hits: the Slavonic March, and Piano Concerto 1. But, uniquely, a chance to play the wonderful music of the Nutcracker in concert, reminding us once again, that its not only the tutus and toys that make it so special, but the eternal melodies of the music.

January 22, 2010
Schumann and Zilberstein in Udine with Orchestra MittelEuropea
Location: Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine
Program: Schumann Symphony 4, Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto 1

After the Strauss Burleske with Lilya Zilberstein in Lugano, we bring sunshine into January with the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto. And in celebration of the Schumann 200th anniversary, the thrilling Symphony 4 adds a bit of spice to the pomodoro!!!

January 29, 2010
l'Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire-La Folle Journée
Location: Centre du Congress: Nantes
Program: Chopin Rondeau de Concert "Krakowiak," Schumann Symphony 2

I start the new year in my position as Music Director designate with my debut appearance at the celebrated La Folle Journée festival in Nantes. This year, the ONPL and I celebrate the anniversaries of both Chopin and Schumann with my favorite Symphony no. 2 in an encore performance, and the rarely performed Krakowiak rondeau de concert for Piano and orchestra by Chopin. Having been Principal guest conductor in Krakow for so many years, it is a special way for me to celebrate the history of this great composer as shared between France and Poland.

February 11, 2010 - February 14, 2010
La Verdi e Valentines Day e fantastico!!!
Location: Auditorium di Milano Fondazione Cariplo, Milano
Program: Works by Berlioz, Britten, Lutoslawski

laVerdi is a fantastic orchestra, and to make Symphonie Fantastique with them will be nothing short of fantastique!!! Featuring the great tenor Ian Bostridge, the sublime 4 Chansons Francaises of Britten and the equally beautiful Paroles Tissées of Lutoslawski, and also Berlioz' Roman Carnival Overture, this special, romantic concert during the Valentines Day period will be a musical idea fixed on love and happiness!

February 18, 2010-February 20, 2010
NDR and the Alpensinfonie
Location: MUSIKHALLE, HAMBURG/MUSIKHALLE LÜBECK
Program: Strauss Alpensinfonie/Mozart Piano Concerto No. 17, KV 453

This is one these programs conductors have dreams about.  And after 5 years living among the Swiss alps, that dream comes true in music.   And also, one of those rare moments in life when luck comes knocking:  After a cancellation for the NDR Sinfonieorchester Hamburg, I was the fortunate conductor to get the call.  And to return so soon after our recent wonderful concerts together.  I thank the NDR for their confidence and look forward to joining them at the summit of the mountaintop!

More info (external link)

February 26, 2010 - February 27, 2010
Nature and the Spirit in Sardinia
Location: Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, Sardegna
Program: Works by Dvorak, Rodrigo, Borodin and Del Corno

An eclectic yet fascinating program of works for my debut in the spectacular theater of Cagliari, on the island of Sardinia. First is La Gaia Scienza, a world premiere by Filippo del Corno, followed by the Rodrigo Cello concerto with soloist, Asier Polo, the Polovtsian Dances by Borodin, and Dvôrak's choral masterpiece, Te Deum. All on the beautiful island of Sardinia, this unique concert by the sea brings music closer to the rhythms of nature and the infinite spirit.

March 05, 2010 - March 06, 2010
Life and Death in Venice with the Orchestra del Teatro la Fenice
Location: Teatro Malibran, Venice
Program: Works by Brahms, Schoenberg and Webern

At long last, my debut with the orchestra of La Fenice, in Venice, my favorite city in the world. I may be lucky to conduct all over Italy, but to finally make music in la Serenissima is a dream fulfilled. Webern's romantic Passicaglia, Schoenberg's passionate Verklaerte Nacht, and Brahms hypnotic 3rd Symphony all make a musical portrait of the mystery of this enchanting city on deep canals, of the light coming from darkness.

March 21, 2010 - March 31, 2010
Dances and Songs of the South with l'Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire
Location: Centre du Congress: Angers/Nantes
Program: Works by Mendelssohn, De Falla, Golijov, and Piazzolla

What a great way to end my Italian Winter than to bring a bit of Mediterranean Spring back to the Atlantic! A Tribute to Piazzolla's orchestral music and the hommage to Piazzolla, "La Mort des Anges," composed by the great Argentinian composer, Osvaldo Golijov; then De Falla's version of the sorcerer's art with El Amor Brujo and the great Flamenco singer, Ginesa Ortega; and finally, Mendelssohn's delightful 4th Symphony, "Italian." It was common in the 19th Century for travelers to make their Italian Rite of Passage. The ONPL and I will tell you all about ours!!!

April 09, 2010 - April 11, 2010
Viva Espana in Eindhoven
Location: Eindhoven, Breda, Den Bosch
Program: Works by Debussy, Ravel, Bizet, Saint Saens, Boccherini/Berio

After our long association and friendship, het Brabant Orkest and I continue our musical journeys, this time to Spain, via France, with a dose of Italy. Debussy's evocative Iberia, Ravel's Bolero, Bizet's Arlésienne Suite, Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No. 2, and Boccherini's playful Ritirata Notturno di Madrid, as arranged for orchestra by Luciano Berio. This is music for seduction and sunsets.

May 19, 2010 - May 20, 2010
From Vienna with Love
Location: Liederhalle, Beethovensaal, Stuttgart
Program: works by Schubert, Mozart and Kongold

Making my debut with the Stuttgarter Philharmoniker in a Viennese program of classical beauty and romantic desire. Schubert's Rosamunde Overture and Unfinished Symphony coupled with Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante and Korngold's Schasupiel Overture. Famous last words, as in Schubert's case, or words left unsaid, as in Mozart and Konrgold, but all say enough about the genius of these composers from a city rich with musical history.

June 22, 2010 - June 30, 2010
Russian Nights with the ONPL
Location: Nantes/Angers Centre du Congrés
Program: Works by Tchaikovksy, Glinka, Rachmaninov and Ellington!

A Russian Nights concert with the ONPL in the balm of a French summer. Tchaikovsky's eternal Nutcracker in juxtaposition with Duke Ellington's Harlem Nutcracker for big band! Plus, Rachmaninov's romantic Concerto No. 2, with Mikhail Rudy and Glinka's sparkling Overture to Ruslan and Ludmilla. Come celebrate the end of season with us Russian Style!

July 23, 2010
Candide, Christoph Eschenbach and the CSO at Ravinia
Location: Ravinia Festival, Chicago
Program: Bernstein Candide and Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23

Making my 5th return to the Ravinia Festival, the Chicago Symphony and I celebrate Christoph Eschenbach's 70th birthday as he plays Mozart's piano concerto No. 23, K. 488. Then the party starts with a concert version of Bernstein's Candide, the work I enjoyed conducting so much at la Scala and Theatre du Chatelet, only this time where the music speaks for itself! Happy Birthday Maestro!