The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra management calls it“The Year of the Search.” The 2008-09 ECSO season will feature a concert performance at the Garde Arts Center by each of the five finalists to succeed Xiao-Lu Li as music director, a chance for local audiences to get a sample of five different guest conductors.

The season schedule and the musical programs are as follows:

Oct. 18 - Toshiyuki Shimada, conductor: Myron's Katahdin (Greatest Mountain); Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major, with soloist Margarita Shevchenko; Dvorák's Symphony No. 9 in E minor (From the New World).

Nov. 15 - Danail Rachev, conductor: Arvo Part's Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten; Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, with soloist Gary Chapman; Shostakovich's Symphony No. 12.Dec. 6 - The annual Bravo Broadway concert, led by conductor Donald Pippin (not a candidate for the music director post) with singers Jan Horvath, Christiane Noll and Aaron Lazar.

Jan. 24, 2009 - Elizabeth Schulze, conductor: Wagner's Overture to“Die Meistersinger;” Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 2 in A Major, with soloist Kwan Kyu Yi, 2008 ECSO Instrumental Competition; Mahler's Symphony No. 1 in D Major (”The Titan”).

March 14, 2009 - David Commanday, conductor: Rossini's Overture to“The Barber of Seville;” Mozart's Symphony No. 41 in C Major (”Jupiter”); Barber's Violin Concerto, Op. 14, with soloist Stefan Jackiw; Gershwin's“An American in Paris.”

April 4, 2009 - Leslie Dunner, conductor: Ginastera's Danzas del ballet“Estancia;” Villa-Lobos's Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5; Orff's Carmina Burana, featuring the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Chorus and guest soloists.

May 2, 2009 - Sarah Hatsuko Hicks, conductor: Borodin's Polovtsian Dances from“Prince Igor;” Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3, with soloist Andrius Zlabys; Tchaikovsky's Polonaise and Waltz from“Eugene Onegin;” Stravinsky's Firebird Suite (1919).

Season tickets are available by calling the ECSO at (860) 443-2876.

Article UID=138bd73a-b1d8-425c-915b-02545f36ebbc