One of the most often voiced criticisms of concert programmes – and particularly of orchestral concert programmes – is the lack of courage when it comes to unusual repertoire. Such criticism is silenced, for New Yorkers at least, with the announcement of the American Symphony Orchestra’s 2010-11 season. Returning to Carnegie Hall (where they gave their first concerts in 1962 under Stokowski), the orchestra will be conducted in all concerts by Leon Botstein, a champion of unusual repertoire. Indeed there’s not a single ‘core’ repertoire work in sight! The season comprises: “James Joyce” (October 6) George Antheil: Ballet Mécanique (1953) Othmar Schoeck: Lebendig Begraben, Op. 40 (1926) (US premiere) Mátyás Seiber: Ulysses (1947) (US premiere) “Music and the Bible” (November 2) Fanny Mendelssohn: Musik für die Toten der Cholera-Epidemie (1831) Louis Spohr: Die letzten Dinge (1826) Albéric Magnard: Bérénice (January 30) “Before and After the Spanish Civil War” (February 25) Joaquín Turina: Sinfonía sevillana, Op 23. (1920) Roberto Gerhard: Don Quixote (1940-41, 1947-49) Manuel de Falla: Homenajes (1941) Roberto Gerhard: Pedrelliana (En memoria) (1941) and Symphony No. 4, “New York” (1967/68) “American Harmonies: The Music of Walter Piston” (March 29) Toccata (1948) Concertino for Piano and Chamber Orchestra (1937) with Blair McMillen, piano Symphony No 2 (1943) Violin Concerto No 1 (1939); Miranda Cuckson, violin Symphony No 4 (1950) “Passover in Exile” (April 21) Paul Dessau: Haggadah shel Pesach (1934/61) (US premiere) See the ASO's website for full details