Tortelier and Janowski will each lead a program corresponding to the slice of the repertoire they're responsible for in Pittsburgh. Tortelier, a French specialist, will conduct Ravel, Berlioz, and Bizet in November; Janowski, who covers the Austro-German repertoire, will conduct Beethoven and Sibelius in March 2006.
Composer Jennifer Higdon, who has produced some of the most successful new music of recent seasons, will serve as the PSO's "composer of the year." The orchestra will perform the world premiere of her Concerto for Trombone, which it commissioned, as well as her Concerto for Orchestra and the orchestral work Blue Cathedral. In addition, Higdon will travel to Pittsburgh for education and outreach activities.
The PSO will also give the world premieres of commissioned works by former resident conductor Lucas Richman (Concerto for Oboe) and Pittsburgh-based composer Reza Vali (The Being of Love).
Visiting conductors include Hans Graf, Robert Spano, Charles Dutoit, Christoph von Dohnšnyi, and Daniel Harding, making his PSO debut. Soloists include pianists Lang Lang, H_lne Grimaud, Emanuel Ax, and Andr_ Watts; violinists Sarah Chang and Gil Shaham; and baritone Thomas Hampson.