THE PASADENA SYMPHONY WILL CELEBRATE ITS 80TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON IN 2007-2008
Entertainment Desk
April 25, 2007
PASADENA, Calif. - In the local musical scene, without doubt “the little old lady from Pasadena” – immortalized by the Beach Boys as a gal who “can’t keep her foot off the accelerator” – is The Pasadena Symphony.
Established in 1928 by conductor Reginald Bland as a volunteer orchestra, many of whom were Bland’s students, The Pasadena Symphony quickly evolved over the years into a nationally recognized, fully professional ensemble. Today, as it embarks upon its 80th anniversary of music making, the uncontested “grand dame” of musical Pasadena shows no signs of slowing down.
Only in a city with a dazzlingly vital music scene could you find the quality of an orchestra like The Pasadena Symphony, under Music Director Jorge Mester, and not have it be the most talked about cultural achievement in the entire community,” says KUSC 91.5 radio’s host Rich Capparela. “How lucky we are to have this orchestra and conductor.”
Since The Pasadena Symphony is celebrating its 80th birthday, five of the orchestra’s seven concerts will feature suitably august and venerable – and beloved – works from the core classical repertoire: Berlioz’ Romeo and Juliet (October 13, 2007); Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 (November 17); Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (December 8); Mahler’s Fourth Symphony (February 2, 2008); and the Verdi Requiem (April 12).
Discerning music lovers may notice that three of these works – Beethoven’s Ninth, Mahler’s Fourth, and the Verdi Requiem – make use of a chorus. This is not an accident: the 2007-2008 season will inaugurate the Occidental Chorale’s formal debut as official chorus for The Pasadena Symphony.
We wanted to use the Occidental Chorale to full advantage this season, to underscore its new relationship with The Pasadena Symphony,” explains Tom O’Connor, Executive Director of The Pasadena Symphony.
Jorge Mester has often spoken of his love of Mozart, and the 2007-2008 season reflects this. Two “Add On” concerts – on January 12 and March 15, 2008 – will offer Mester’s fellow Mozart aficionados the chance to immerse themselves for the entire evening in the works of a composer described by none other than Tchaikovsky as “the highest, the culminating point that beauty has attained in the sphere of music.” January’s performance will feature the Mass in C minor, again with the Occidental Chorale, while British pianist Howard Shelley will regal audiences with a performance of three of the composer’s concertos for piano.
Yet Mester, who received Columbia University’s prestigious Ditson Conductor’s Award for the advancement of American music and who has presented over 75 world-premieres, has not neglected the works of modern and contemporary composers. The season includes works by Revueltas and Glass (October 13, 2007); Enescu and Ravel (November 17); and John Williams and Cantaloube (February 2).
"Jorge has prepared a musical repast for our 80th Anniversary celebration to appeal to all tastes," says O’Connor of the orchestra’s Music Director, who, when not conducting, is renowned among friends nationwide for his ability to interpret a recipe. "But we're also hoping that you'll be willing to sample a new or unfamiliar 'dish’,” O’Connor adds. “It just may become one of your favorites."
To subscribe to the upcoming 80th Anniversary season of The Pasadena Symphony, call 626.793.7172.
The Pasadena Symphony is committed to providing orchestral performances of the highest quality and to benefiting the community through its music, education and outreach programs. The Pasadena Symphony performs monthly, October through April, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, located at 300 East Green Street in Pasadena. Concerts begin promptly at 8 p.m., with a free pre-concert lecture series “Insights” taking place in the auditorium at 7 p.m.
To learn more about The Pasadena Symphony, call The Pasadena Symphony’s offices at 626.793.7172 or visit the orchestra’s website at www.pasadenasymphony.org
The Pasadena Symphony season
October 13, 2007
Revueltas; Homage to Lorca
Glass; Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists & Orchestra
Jonathan Haas & Tom RamyBerlioz; Romeo and Juliet
November 17
Enescu; Romanian Rhapsody, Op 1, No. 1 in A major
Ravel; Concerto for Piano in G major
Rueibin Chen, piano
Brahms; Symphony No. 4
December 8
Beethoven; Symphony No. 1
Beethoven; Symphony No. 9
Amber Wagner, soprano
Tracy Van Fleet, mezzo-soprano
Randall Bills, tenor
Jinyoung Jang, bass
The Occidental Chorale
January 12, 2008
Mozart; La Clemenza di Tito, K. 621: Overture
Mozart; Symphony No. 34
Mozart: Mass in C minor
Jamie Chamberlin, soprano
Shana Blake Hill, soprano
Randall Bills, tenor
The Occidental Chorale
February 2
Williams; Viktor’s Theme from “The Terminal”
Cantaloube; Songs of the Auvergne
Mahler; Symphony No. 4
March 15
Mozart; Three Piano Concertos
Concerto for Piano, No. 18, K.456 in B-flat major
Concerto for Piano, No. 9, K. 271 in E-flat major
Concerto for Piano, No. 27, K. 595 in B-flat major
Howard Shelley, piano
April 12
Verdi; Messa da requiem
Kelly Nasieff, soprano
Carmella Jones, mezzo-soprano
Stuart Neill, tenor
The Occidental Chorale
Established in 1928 by conductor Reginald Bland as a volunteer orchestra, many of whom were Bland’s students, The Pasadena Symphony quickly evolved over the years into a nationally recognized, fully professional ensemble. Today, as it embarks upon its 80th anniversary of music making, the uncontested “grand dame” of musical Pasadena shows no signs of slowing down.
Only in a city with a dazzlingly vital music scene could you find the quality of an orchestra like The Pasadena Symphony, under Music Director Jorge Mester, and not have it be the most talked about cultural achievement in the entire community,” says KUSC 91.5 radio’s host Rich Capparela. “How lucky we are to have this orchestra and conductor.”
Since The Pasadena Symphony is celebrating its 80th birthday, five of the orchestra’s seven concerts will feature suitably august and venerable – and beloved – works from the core classical repertoire: Berlioz’ Romeo and Juliet (October 13, 2007); Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 (November 17); Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (December 8); Mahler’s Fourth Symphony (February 2, 2008); and the Verdi Requiem (April 12).
Discerning music lovers may notice that three of these works – Beethoven’s Ninth, Mahler’s Fourth, and the Verdi Requiem – make use of a chorus. This is not an accident: the 2007-2008 season will inaugurate the Occidental Chorale’s formal debut as official chorus for The Pasadena Symphony.
We wanted to use the Occidental Chorale to full advantage this season, to underscore its new relationship with The Pasadena Symphony,” explains Tom O’Connor, Executive Director of The Pasadena Symphony.
Jorge Mester has often spoken of his love of Mozart, and the 2007-2008 season reflects this. Two “Add On” concerts – on January 12 and March 15, 2008 – will offer Mester’s fellow Mozart aficionados the chance to immerse themselves for the entire evening in the works of a composer described by none other than Tchaikovsky as “the highest, the culminating point that beauty has attained in the sphere of music.” January’s performance will feature the Mass in C minor, again with the Occidental Chorale, while British pianist Howard Shelley will regal audiences with a performance of three of the composer’s concertos for piano.
Yet Mester, who received Columbia University’s prestigious Ditson Conductor’s Award for the advancement of American music and who has presented over 75 world-premieres, has not neglected the works of modern and contemporary composers. The season includes works by Revueltas and Glass (October 13, 2007); Enescu and Ravel (November 17); and John Williams and Cantaloube (February 2).
"Jorge has prepared a musical repast for our 80th Anniversary celebration to appeal to all tastes," says O’Connor of the orchestra’s Music Director, who, when not conducting, is renowned among friends nationwide for his ability to interpret a recipe. "But we're also hoping that you'll be willing to sample a new or unfamiliar 'dish’,” O’Connor adds. “It just may become one of your favorites."
To subscribe to the upcoming 80th Anniversary season of The Pasadena Symphony, call 626.793.7172.
The Pasadena Symphony is committed to providing orchestral performances of the highest quality and to benefiting the community through its music, education and outreach programs. The Pasadena Symphony performs monthly, October through April, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, located at 300 East Green Street in Pasadena. Concerts begin promptly at 8 p.m., with a free pre-concert lecture series “Insights” taking place in the auditorium at 7 p.m.
To learn more about The Pasadena Symphony, call The Pasadena Symphony’s offices at 626.793.7172 or visit the orchestra’s website at www.pasadenasymphony.org
The Pasadena Symphony season
October 13, 2007
Revueltas; Homage to Lorca
Glass; Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists & Orchestra
Jonathan Haas & Tom RamyBerlioz; Romeo and Juliet
November 17
Enescu; Romanian Rhapsody, Op 1, No. 1 in A major
Ravel; Concerto for Piano in G major
Rueibin Chen, piano
Brahms; Symphony No. 4
December 8
Beethoven; Symphony No. 1
Beethoven; Symphony No. 9
Amber Wagner, soprano
Tracy Van Fleet, mezzo-soprano
Randall Bills, tenor
Jinyoung Jang, bass
The Occidental Chorale
January 12, 2008
Mozart; La Clemenza di Tito, K. 621: Overture
Mozart; Symphony No. 34
Mozart: Mass in C minor
Jamie Chamberlin, soprano
Shana Blake Hill, soprano
Randall Bills, tenor
The Occidental Chorale
February 2
Williams; Viktor’s Theme from “The Terminal”
Cantaloube; Songs of the Auvergne
Mahler; Symphony No. 4
March 15
Mozart; Three Piano Concertos
Concerto for Piano, No. 18, K.456 in B-flat major
Concerto for Piano, No. 9, K. 271 in E-flat major
Concerto for Piano, No. 27, K. 595 in B-flat major
Howard Shelley, piano
April 12
Verdi; Messa da requiem
Kelly Nasieff, soprano
Carmella Jones, mezzo-soprano
Stuart Neill, tenor
The Occidental Chorale
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