Beethoven, Symphony No. 5 The last time music director Carl St. Clair led his Pacific Symphony in a performance of Beethoven’s mighty masterpiece, they found fresh insights and thrilling power…
The last time music director Carl St. Clair led his Pacific Symphony in a performance of Beethoven’s mighty masterpiece, they found fresh insights and thrilling power in a work that can easily impress even when played on cruise control. Since then, the orchestra’s new contract seems to have given them even more vigor and focus. We’ re looking forward to the results. (Segerstrom Concert Hall, Sept 14-17)
One of the violin’s reigning superstars, Bell will join Pacific Symphony in performing Sibelius’ only concerto – dark, sweeping and grandly symphonic in scope. The evening also offers another late Romantic masterwork, Dvorak’s New World Symphony. (Segerstrom Concert Hall, Sept. 23)
This venerable orchestra, winner of multiple Grammy awards, plays a program under the baton of music director Riccardo Muti that includes Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 (the “Unfinished”) , Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto, and Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 2. (Segerstrom Concert Hall, Oct. 16)
Ohlsson joins Pacific Symphony to play Mozart’s Ninth Piano Concerto, which pianist Alfred Brendel praised as “one of the greatest wonders of the world.” Composer and former L.A. Philharmonic conductor André Previn leads the West Coast premiere of his new work for orchestra along with Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2. (Segerstrom Concert Hall, Oct. 19-21)
Orange County’s leading choir opens its 50th season with a new artistic director, Robert Istad, and an ambitious program that includes the U. S. premiere of Tarik O’ Regan’s “A Celestial Map of the Sky.” James Hopkins’ “Songs of Eternity” and a salute to Leonard Bernstein’s centennial with his exuberantly theatrical Mass. (Segerstrom Concert Hall, Oct. 29)
Winner of Gramophone’s 2016 Recording of the Year Award and as famous for his political views as his playing, Levit has been called “the best Russian pianist you haven’ t heard… yet” by the Los Angeles Times. His Philharmonic Society program includes works by Bach, Shostakovich, Schumann, Wagner and Liszt. (Segerstrom Hall, Jan. 6)
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
One of the world’s leading period-instrument ensembles, this London-based chamber orchestra performs an all-Beethoven program, including his Symphony No. 4 and the Violin Concerto, featuring Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti. (Segerstrom Concert Hall, Feb. 12)
Perhaps the biggest reigning superstar of classical piano, the Chinese master plays a strongly Spanish-flavored program that includes works by Falla, Albeniz and Granados. (Segerstrom Concert Hall, Feb. 23)
Pacific Symphony makes its Carnegie Hall debut with “The Passion of Ramakrishna, ” a work of quiet intensity that it premiered in Orange County a decade ago. Joining Pacific Symphony is Pacific Chorale and sitar soloist Anoushka Shankar, daughter of Ravi Shankar. The performance will be repeated in New York on April 21. (Segerstrom Concert Hall, April 12-14)
The veteran showman, considered one of the greatest pianists of his generation, will play Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto with Pacific Symphony under conductor Carl St. Clair. The evening also includes Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10. (Segerstrom Concert Hall, May 3-5)
