Dear Friends,

Welcome to Shriver Hall Concert Series’ 47^th Season! We are delighted and grateful that you have chosen to spend your precious spare-time with us taking-in great repertoire exquisitely performed by today’s most sought-after artists.

This season we have arranged a Series of concerts featuring artists who, while highly coveted and internationally acclaimed, may be unfamiliar to you—as they are rarely heard in the mid-Atlantic region. Yet all regularly appear on the greatest stages in Europe and in major cities in the U.S.—indeed the Series truly is ‘Delivering the World’s Best Classical Music to Baltimore’!

Along with the returns of several favorites such as the Brentano String Quartet and the excellent German cellist Alban Gerhardt with pianist Cecil Licad, we’ll be treated to debut performances by two of the most distinguished and interesting pianists to emerge in recent years: Piotr Anderszewski will bring his poetic and sublime touch to the music of Schumann and Bach while pianist Marc-André Hamelin will display his monster technique and compelling musical intellect in a program including works by Busoni, Debussy, and Rachmaninoff. The Czech Pavel Haas Quartet has enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom, emerging as one of the most compelling and best string quartets currently playing, and follows its highly praised 2009 ‘Discovery Series’ concert with a subscription series debut playing works by Schubert and Tchaikovsky as well as by its namesake. Other highly anticipated debuts are the exceptional Italian chamber ensemble Europa Galante, violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, and the outstanding Czech mezzo Magdalena Kožená, who will be joined by audience favorite Yefim Bronfman. Special attention should also be made

to this year’s ‘Discovery Series’ performers who represent some of the most refreshing and impressive talent you’ll find anywhere. Experience their Baltimore debuts because you’ll soon be seeing their names on the playbills and marquees of the most significant venues!

We hope that this line-up will provide you with memorable and moving experiences with every phrase of music. We also hope you’ll feel compelled to share the magic and power of live performances with your family and friends, consequently helping the Series maintain full-houses and healthy finances for years to come.

We wish you happy listening and thank you for your support and patronage!

Stephen Jacobsohn, Executive Director