Las Vegas Weekly

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In a twist beyond one’s wildest imagination, the Las Vegas Philharmonic enters its first full season at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts Center, sans conductor. In making due after the abrupt departure of David Itkin—whose initial interest in the Philharmonic was largely due to the Smith Center— the orchestra has brought in a roster of guest conductors to carry it through its 2012-13 season. This gives ticket buyers something to consider when pulling out credit cards and appointment books over the next couple of weeks (or maybe sooner, given that last season’s Smith concerts sold out).

Andrew Grams opens the season October 20, conducting a Masterworks Series performance featuring guest pianist Navah Perlman, violinist Philippe Quint and cellist Zuill Bailey. The program includes Beethoven’s Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano and the Mussorgsky/Ravel “Pictures From an Exhibition.”

Following Grams is local conductor Taras Krysa (UNLV Symphony, Henderson Symphony Orchestra), presenting the November 3 Pops Series performance, “Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights.” Next, Case Scaglione leads an evening of music by American conductors—Copland, Bernstein, Ives and Barber—narrated by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh on November 17.

Completing the season are: Robert Bernhardt (December 8), Alastair Willis (January 12), Steven Jarvi (February 16) Randall Craig Fleischer (March 9), Daniel Meyer (April 6) and David Lockington (May 4).

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Philharmonic is in search of a music director. Representatives say each of the guest conductors will be considered. For the full season selection of work, visit lvphil.org.

Clarification: An earlier version of this story left out the word "initial" in describing Itkin's interest in the orchestra. Itkin was music director and conductor of the Philharmonic from 2007-2012.