NEW YORK, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Sony Corporation) - The Sony Philharmonic Orchestra, a full symphonic orchestra comprised of Sony employees and family members who live and work in Japan, will perform at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, October 14, 2008.
This event marks the first time the 108 piece orchestra will perform in the United States. The orchestra will be led by Maestro
Daniel Harding, Principal Guest Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra,
Music Director of the Swedish
Radio Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. World renowned cellist and Sony BMG recording artist, Yo-Yo Ma, will perform as guest soloist.
"Bringing the Sony Orchestra to New York to perform on the main stage at Carnegie Hall has been a 10-year dream of mine," said Sir Howard Stringer, Chairman and CEO, Sony Corporation. "Their passion for music mirrors their passion for engineering excellence. And their commitment to both reflects the talents and the energies of Sony employees around the world. When I first heard them play, I was struck by the high level of performance they were able to achieve as an amateur orchestra. The symbolism is obvious. What better way to illustrate the soaring achievements of 'Sony United' than to have a symphony of Sony staffers perform on the world's most celebrated orchestral stage."
The Sony Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1995, is comprised of Sony employees from varied backgrounds. More than 60% are Sony engineers. The rest come from many different areas of the company, including Sony Corporation, Sony Computer Entertainment, Sony Life Insurance, Sony Music and Sony Marketing of Japan.
"I have always had great respect for amateur orchestras and the very important role they play in all of our lives," Maestro Harding told the members of the orchestra during their first rehearsal in Tokyo on February 16. "To do what you do in your everyday life and then play music like this is wonderful."
The orchestra's program for the evening will include Dvorak's Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B Minor, Op. 104; Berlioz's Le Corsaire Overture, Op. 21 and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64. A portion of the concert proceeds will be donated to The Harlem School of the Arts, Midori & Friends and the Orchestra of St. Luke's Arts Education Program in support of arts education.
"While the Sony Philharmonic Orchestra has performed more than 20 times in the Tokyo metropolitan area, this is a huge step for us," said Kenichi Yoda, General Manager of the Sony Philharmonic Orchestra Club. "To be able to play at Carnegie Hall with Yo-Yo Ma under the direction of Maestro Harding is truly a dream come true. We are also happy that this special performance will benefit the local community."
Tickets for this performance will go on sale in mid-summer through the Carnegie Hall box office, CarnegieCharge, and online at https://www.carnegiehall.org.
