Press Release

April 15, 2015

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ 40th-Anniversary Season Features World-Renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra With Principal Guest Conductor and Violin Soloist Pinchas Zukerman

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) – Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will celebrate its 40th anniversary and 2015–16 season with a concert by the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with principal guest conductor and violin soloist Pinchas Zukerman. Other classical highlights of the season include the Virginia G. Piper Concert Series featuring pianists Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Emanuel Ax, Orion Weiss and Angela Hewitt, and the return of Keyboard Conversations With Jeffrey Siegel® and Close Encounters With Music.

“This year marks a proud milestone for Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts as we celebrate its 40th anniversary and distinguished tradition of bringing the world’s greatest musicians to Scottsdale,” remarked Neale Perl, president and CEO of the Scottsdale Cultural Council. “The 2015–16 season brings together virtuoso artists new to our stage as well as returning favorites. We’re also honored to present the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with the acclaimed violinist Pinchas Zukerman playing and conducting. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear this world-class orchestra in our 853-seat Virginia G. Piper Theater.”

Members and subscribers may purchase discounted tickets through 480-499-TKTS (8587). Tickets are on sale to the general public starting Saturday, April 18, at 10 a.m. Additional information is available through the Center’s mobile-optimized website www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Based in London, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra enjoys an international reputation for bringing audiences first-class performances and the highest possible standards of music-making across a diverse range of musical repertoire. Presented on Jan. 16 as part of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ 2015–16 Discovery British Isles series, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Pinchas Zukerman will perform Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61, and Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Op. 36.

VIRGINIA G. PIPER CONCERT SERIES
Four internationally recognized pianists will be featured as part of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ Virginia G. Piper Concert Series, beginning with one of today’s most sought-after soloists, Jean Yves Thibaudet, on Nov. 15. Known for his lyrical temperament, unsurpassed virtuosity and the exceptional breadth of his performing activity, the legendary Emanuel Ax will give a recital on Jan. 24. A rising star among his generation of young American pianists, Orion Weiss will make his Virginia G. Piper Concert Series debut on Feb. 14. One of the world’s leading pianists, Angela Hewitt will perform on March 20.

KEYBOARD CONVERSATIONS WITH JEFFREY SIEGEL®
Acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Siegel will return for his 37th season of Keyboard Conversations, a series of four engaging concerts with commentary that combine captivating remarks with performances of masterpieces of the piano repertoire – and conclude with a fast-paced Q-and-A session. Siegel’s four 2015–16 concerts will include: Music of Joyous Celebration on Dec. 1, to honor the Center’s 40th anniversary; Splendor From Silence on Jan. 26, featuring great composers such as Beethoven, Faure and Smetana; The Golden Age of the Piano on Feb. 23, showcasing popular classics from yesteryear; and Musical Pictures on March 29, offering visually inspired works by Mussorgsky and Debussy.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH MUSIC
An enriching concert experience that brings together sublime chamber music, distinguished performers and insightful commentary, the Close Encounters With Music series will return for two concerts. Cellist and Artistic Director Yehuda Hanani will be joined by pianist Soyeon Kate Lee, violinist Ara Gregorian and violist Xiao-Dong Wang for Grand Piano Quartets: Brahms and Dvorak on Jan. 13, and pianist Roman Rabinovich and violinist Sarah McElravy for Grand Piano Trios: Schubert, Mendelssohn and Arensky on Feb. 3.

SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Since opening 40 years ago in 1975, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has provided a stage for a wide range of voices and perspectives, creating shared, inspiring experiences for the community that celebrate artistic excellence and cultural awareness. Today one of the premier performing-arts halls in the western United States, the Center presents a diverse season of dance, music, theater, comedy and film from around the world. More than 1,000 indoor and outdoor performances, educational programs, festivals and other events are presented and hosted by the Center annually, serving approximately 250,000 participants. The Center’s education and outreach programs reach 25,000 students and adults each year. Events take place in the state-of-the-art, 853-seat Virginia G. Piper Theater, recognized for its intimacy, acoustics and comfort, as well as the 137-seat Stage 2 and neighboring 1,800-capacity Scottsdale Civic Center Amphitheater. Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located on Scottsdale Civic Center Park, a 21-acre urban oasis next to the city’s Old Town and gallery districts.

The nonprofit Scottsdale Cultural Council is contracted by the City of Scottsdale, Ariz., to manage Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and Scottsdale Public Art.

LOCATION AND PARKING
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. Second St. in downtown Scottsdale. Free parking is available in the public parking garage located to the west of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Wells Fargo Avenue. Additional free parking is available at the Old Town Parking Corral at East Second Street and Brown Avenue and at the Civic Center Library parking garage located on Drinkwater Boulevard at East Second Street.

ACCESSIBILITY
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers performance accommodations to enhance audience members’ experience, including: American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation or live audio description with two weeks advance notice. Assistive-listening devices and wheelchair seating are also available. Visit www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/visit/accessibility/ or contact the Patron Services Box Office at 480-499-TKTS (8587) [TDD: 480-874-4694] for further details. Please inquire about services when ordering tickets.

TICKET DISCOUNTS
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers a variety of ticket discounts for members at the Duet level and above, groups of 10 or more and those purchasing packages to four or more events in one order. Through the generous support of Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. and Great American Title Agency, Inc., the Center also provides free tickets to selected events for eligible students, teachers and veterans, and 50-percent off tickets to selected events for patrons 29 and under. Visit www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/visit/tickets-discounts/ or call 480-499-TKTS (8587) for more information.

THE STORE
The award-winning Store at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts supports the mission and diverse programs of the nonprofit Scottsdale Cultural Council. The Store’s unique selection of merchandise includes artist-made jewelry, stylish furnishings for home and office, unique creations by Arizona artists, fair-trade and upcycled/recycled global crafts, music, books, greeting cards and imaginative toys. Purchases are tax-free, and members receive a 10-percent discount. Gift-wrapping and shipping are also available. The Store is open seven days a week: Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.; and throughout most evening events. Phone: 480-874-4644.

HOW TO REACH US
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts7380 E. Second St.Scottsdale, AZ 85251Patron Services Box Office: 480-499-TKTS (8587)TDD: 480-874-4694Web: www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ScottsdalePerformingArts
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/ScottsdaleArts
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/ScottsdaleArts
Email: [email protected]Fax: 480-874-4699