The Sarasota Orchestra’s January programs include a Masterworks concert featuring the towering giant of the classical piano world, Garrick Ohlsson, and a Pops concert tribute to one of the legendary rock giants of the 20th century, the Beatles. The third installment of the popular Great Escapes series features a program of melodies known for their comedic element.

Masterworks 3: Ohlsson plays Rachmaninoff

The Sarasota Orchestra kicks off the new year with one of the most prominent pianists in the world of classical music: Garrick Ohlsson. With Jeffrey Kahane (also an accomplished pianist) on the podium as a conductor, the concert features two must-haves from the orchestral repertoire. The program opens with Brahms’ sunny Symphony No. 2 and ends with Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3.

Since his triumph as the winner of the International Chopin Piano Competition in 1970, pianist Garrick Ohlsson has established himself around the world as a musician of interpretive and technical prowess. To date, he has at his disposal over 80 concertos, ranging from Haydn and Mozart to works of the 21st century, many of which were commissioned from him. His recording of Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No.3, with the Atlanta Symphony and Robert spano, was released in 2011.

Jeffrey Kahane is recognized worldwide for his mastery of a diverse repertoire and has been invited to conduct many major American orchestras, including the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestras, the Philadelphia and Cleveland Orchestras, and the Symphonies from Chicago and Detroit. In 2017, Kahane completed his 20th and final season as Music Director of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Jeffrey Kahane is Music Director of the Sarasota Music Festival.

January 7 | 8:00 p.m. | Van Wezel

January 8 | 8:00 p.m. | Van Wezel

January 9 | 2:30 p.m. | Van Wezel

How: Tickets starting at $ 35, available at www.SarasotaOrchestra.org or (941) 953-3434

Great Escapes 3: Comedy Tonight

This Great Escapes performance combines music and comedy to boost morale. Guest conductor Christopher Confessore adds his own humor between the songs on the program, which includes music by Stephen Sondheim, Leroy anderson, and Peter Schickele, the classical music prankster known as “PDQ Bach”.

Christopher Confessore is currently Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra and Resident Conductor and POPS Principal Conductor of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. As the Pops conductor, he has performed with a diverse group of superstars, including Grammy Award winners. Garfunkel Art, Marvin hamlisch, LeAnn Rimes, Chris Botti and Idina Menzel. The Birmingham News music columnist Mary Colurso said: “Anyone who considers the symphony suffocating and elitist has never seen a… performance when Confessore is in charge. He exudes a kind-type appeal on stage, as well as genuine warmth, a sense of humor and intelligence to spare. “

Tickets starting at $ 42, available at www.SarasotaOrchestra.org or (941) 953-3434

Pops 1: Revolution: the music of the Beatles, a symphonic tribute

Sarasota Orchestra performs classic Beatles songs in a new Fab Four licensed symphonic tribute, featuring arrangements by GRAMMY winner Jeff Tyzik for orchestra and rock band. The guest stars provide authentic interpretations based on the original Beatles recordings at Abbey Road. With the Broadway conductor William waldrop on the podium, Revolution will take the audience on a musical tour of hits, from “Yesterday” to “Here Comes the Sun”.

Broadway Music Director, Conductor and Pianist William waldrop is currently Associate Conductor for Broadway’s longest-running musical, The Phantom of the Opera. In 2017, he completed a much celebrated career as Music Director and Conductor of the Broadway cover of Cats. Equally comfortable on the podium with the orchestra on stage as well as from the pit, Waldrop has been praised for his “dynamic direction” and has been praised in cities across the United States and internationally.

January 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Van Wezel

January 22 | 2:30 p.m. | Van Wezel

January 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Van Wezel

How: Tickets starting at $ 37, available at www.SarasotaOrchestra.org or (941) 953-3434

Chamber evening 5: Mendelssohn Octet

Illuminated by Goethe’s poem “La Belle Nuit”, this program of two classic chamber works leads listeners of the music of the night to the radiant sunshine. Goethe’s poem was the basis for a song by Schubert, which the latter “borrowed” from him to write the Nocturne for trio with piano. The work gives the illusion of being suspended in time, with the voices of its three instruments in orbit as in a slow and aerial dance. After the trio, eight musicians take the stage for Mendelssohn’s beloved String Octet in the cheerful key of E flat major. In collaboration with Florida Studio Theater, the program opens with a dramatic reading of Goethe’s “La Belle Nuit” by the actor J Paul Nicolas.

When: January 23, 4:00 p.m.

Where: Holley Hall

How: Tickets starting at $ 38, available at www.SarasotaOrchestra.org or (941) 953-3434

Room Evening 6: Heritage

Beethoven, Mozart and Michael tilson thomas: each of these composers learned “the family business” from his father. Inspired by “The Harp”, Bruce Weigl’s ode to fatherly art and influence, the program opens with Beethoven’s debut opus for piano and winds. In 1988, Tilson Thomas dedicated his Street Song brass quintet to his father, Ted, “who was and still is the central musical influence in my life.” Mozart’s String Quartet No. 17 is the fourth in a series of six quartets he dedicated to Haydn, the “father” of musical form. In collaboration with Florida Studio Theater, the program opens with a dramatic reading of Bruce Weigl’s “The Harp” by the actor J Paul Nicolas.

When: January 27, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Holley Hall

How: Tickets starting at $ 38, available at www.SarasotaOrchestra.org or (941) 953-3434