Seattle Symphony offers free tickets to first responders for November 11 concert 

Thomas Dausgaard reunites with orchestra after a year and half apart, offers an expression of gratitude for first responders' critical work 

Two free tickets provided per eligible person

Seattle, WA — The Seattle Symphony is proud to offer first responders free tickets to the Dausgaard Conducts Brahms concert on November 11, 2021, led by Music Director Thomas Dausgaard in his first performance back with the orchestra in over a year and a half. Dausgaard, who was previously hindered by COVID-19-related travel restrictions and visa delays, wanted his return concert to offer gratitude to those who have been taking care of the community throughout the pandemic. 

The Symphony’s offer extends to first responders — including paramedics, EMTs, firefighters and law enforcement — as well as any person working in the healthcare field. Eligible participants can receive up to two free tickets for the November 11 performance.

The program opens with Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, followed by Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2 featuring pianist Alessio Bax. After an intermission, the concert will conclude with Brahms’ triumphant Symphony No. 1.

“After so many months of being apart from my beloved colleagues at the Seattle Symphony, it is a joy to be returning to them and music-making together again,” Dausgaard said. “I want not only to celebrate our reunion, but also to offer a deep expression of gratitude to the extraordinary first responders who have seen us through a difficult time. Without their bravery, selflessness and deep humanity, we would be lost in the depths of this pandemic. We offer this concert to them, and for them, with thanks.” 

Krishna Thiagarajan, President & CEO of the Seattle Symphony, said, “Our first responders and healthcare workers continue to go above and beyond the expected in the service of providing care for the community. As we celebrate the return of our Music Director Thomas Dausgaard to the podium, we offer this concert to them in honor of their commitment and professionalism and to say, 'Thank you'.”

HOW TO CLAIM FREE TICKETS
The Dausgaard Conducts Brahms concert will be held in Benaroya Hall on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. On the evening of the concert, eligible participants are welcome to claim two complimentary tickets by presenting their credentials in person at the Ticket Office beginning at 5:30 p.m., two hours before the concert start time. Lobby doors to open 90 minutes before the concert start time.

The Seattle Symphony Ticket Office is located in Benaroya Hall, at Third Avenue and Union Street.

The Ticket Office can be reached by phone at (206) 215-4747 during the following times:
Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The Seattle Symphony is requiring all visitors to provide proof of vaccination (or present a negative COVID-19 test) with photo ID and wear masks at all times while in Benaroya Hall. This is in addition to numerous safety measures, including a hospital-grade air filtration system, increased cleaning and more. For additional information about how the Symphony is working to ensure a safe return to live music, please visit the Symphony’s Safety Page. Additionally, the Seattle Symphony is implementing a flexible exchange and return policy through the end of the year.

THOMAS DAUSGAARD CONDUCTOR  

Music Director of the Seattle Symphony, Danish conductor Thomas Dausgaard is esteemed for his creativity and innovative programming, the excitement of his live performances and his extensive catalogue of critically acclaimed recordings.?His programming in recent seasons has seen an increased focus on context, exploring the influences found in folk and liturgical music in orchestral works by a range of composers including Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Sibelius, Nielsen and?Bartók.?? 

Performing internationally with many of the world’s leading orchestras, Dausgaard is also the Chief Conductor of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.?He also holds titles as Honorary Conductor of the Orchestra?della?Toscana (ORT) and the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, having previously served as its Chief?Conductor from 2004–11; and Conductor Laureate of the Swedish Chamber Orchestra, having served as Chief Conductor from 1997–2019. 

A renowned recording artist,?Dausgaard’s?releases with the Seattle Symphony have garnered critical acclaim resulting in international honors including a 2017?Gramophone?Award nomination for?Mahler’s Symphony No. 10?(Deryck Cooke version),?Gramophone’s 2018?Orchestra of the Year?Award, and a 2019 Best Orchestral Performance Grammy?nomination for?Nielsen’s Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4. An avid champion of contemporary works and the music of his homeland,?Dausgaard and the Seattle Symphony are releasing the much-anticipated cycle of symphonies by Carl Nielsen throughout his tenure.?A?recent release?with the orchestra features the world premiere live performance of George Walker’s Sinfonia No. 5, “Visions.” 

Dausgaard has been awarded the Cross of Chivalry by the Queen of Denmark and elected to the Royal Academy of Music in Sweden. His interests beyond music are wide-ranging, and include architecture, landscape, and a love of learning the life and culture of different communities. 

SEATTLE SYMPHONY

Led by Music Director Thomas Dausgaard, the Seattle Symphony unleashes the power of music, brings people together and lifts the human spirit. Recognized as one of the “most vital American orchestras” (NPR), the Seattle Symphony is internationally acclaimed for its inventive programming, community-minded initiatives and superb recordings on the Seattle Symphony Media label. With a strong commitment to new music and a legacy of over 150 recordings, the orchestra has garnered five Grammy Awards, 26 Grammy nominations, two Emmy Awards and was named Gramophone’s 2018 Orchestra of the Year. The Symphony performs in Benaroya Hall in the heart of downtown Seattle from September through July, reaching over 750,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts, and through the Seattle Symphony Live streaming service, the orchestra’s concerts reach audiences at home and around the world.

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DAUSGAARD CONDUCTS BRAHMS
MASTERWORKS SERIES
Thursday, November 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 13, at 8 p.m.

Thomas Dausgaard conductor
Alessio Bax piano

Beethoven Egmont Overture
Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2
Brahms Symphony No. 1

2021–2022 Masterworks Season Sponsor: Delta Air Lines
Thomas Dausgaard’s position is generously underwritten as the Harriet Overton Stimson Music Director.
Krishna Thiagarajan's position is generously underwritten as the Leslie Jackson Chihuly President & CEO.