With his programming choices for the 1999-2000 concert season, Annapolis Symphony conductor Leslie B. Dunner begins sharing his musical priorities with his players and his public.

Indeed, his choices mark a delightful change from the "Greatest Hits" format of the 1997-1998 conductor-search season and the pleasant but sometimes disjointed programming of the guest conductor-filled season drawing to a close.

The music of Russia and France are prominent in Dunner's heart. We can expect glorious encounters with each next season.

Dunner goes Russian in November with the piquant, endlessly witty First Piano Concerto of Dmitri Shostakovich.

We get a full evening of music from Mother Russia in February, when Dunner offers us Alexander Borodin's exotic "In the Steppes of Central Asia," Prokofiev's "Sinfonia Concertante" for Cello and Orchestra, and Tchaikovsky's lovely Suite No. 3.

It's off to France in May, when Dunner explores the sensual Gallic hues of Milhaud, Chausson, Ravel in a program highlighted by Claude Debussy's shockingly beautiful "Prelude to the Afternoon of the Faun."

Viennese classicists won't be left out, as Mozart's "Impresario" Overture and 23rd Piano Concerto, the lilting K.488 in A major, lend grace and proportion to the massive, cathedral-like structure of Anton Bruckner's Sixth Symphony in January, in the first concerts of 2000.

The first of Franz Joseph Haydn's 104 symphonies also adds its 18th-century elegance and wit to the mix in November. From the idiom of symphonic blockbuster, there's Beethoven's "Eroica" sharing the bill with Haydn. The sweeping Second Symphony of Jean Sibelius opens the season in October.

Tchaikovsky Competition Silver Medalist Jennifer Koh appears for Samuel Barber's warm, introspective Violin Concerto in October, to be followed by Yuliya Gorenman, Queen Elizabeth Piano Competition winner, in November; pianist Dickran Atamian in January, and 17-year-old cellist Julie Albers, who boasts appearances with the Cleveland Orchestra on her growing list of achievements, in February.

For subscription information, call 410-269-1132.

Orchestra concert schedule

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Leslie B. Dunner, music director, has announced its programs for the 1999-2000 concert season. Here is a list of concert dates and the works that are planned.

Symphonic Series

Oct. 1-2, 1999

Smetana: Overture to "The Bartered Bride"

Barber: Violin Concerto, Jennifer Koh, violin

Sibelius: Symphony No. 2

Nov. 19-20

Haydn: Symphony No. 1

Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 1, Yuliya Gorenman, piano

Beethoven: Symphony No. 3, "Eroica"

Holiday Pops Concert, Dec. 17, 1999

Program to be announced.

Jan. 28-29, 2000

Mozart: Overture to "The Impresario"

Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23, Dickran Atamian, piano

Bruckner: Symphony No. 6

Feb. 18-19

Borodin: "In the Steppes of Central Asia"

Prokofiev: "Sinfonia Concertante" for Cello and Orchestra, Julie Albers, cello

Tchaikovsky: Suite No. 3

Camerata Concert, March 31

Philip Spletzer, conductor

Vivaldi: Concerto for Two Violins

Bach: Piano Concerto in D minor

Bartok: "Romanian Dances"

Suk: "Serenade for Strings"

May 12-13

Milhaud: "Suite Provencal"

Chausson: "Poeme de l'amour et de la mer," Carolyn Sebron, mezzo-soprano

Debussy: "Prelude to the Afternoon of the Faun"

Ravel: "Daphnis and Chloe, Suites 1 & 2"

Subscription information: 410-269-1132.

Pub Date: 5/13/99