THE MERRIEST AND MOST CHERISHED HOLIDAY GIFT OF ALL—MUSIC! FOUR GREAT WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH
PACIFIC SYMPHONY DURING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
The most wonderful time of the year is almost upon us—and Pacific Symphony has a variety of ways to celebrate the holidays with music! From the tiniest ballerina to the most serious classical music lover, there’s an ideal concert for everyone on the Christmas list.
For an iconic holiday experience, spend an evening with America’s favorite crooner, Andy Williams, in a Symphony Pops Christmas extravaganza. If something more traditional is in order, the timeless masterpiece, Handel’s Messiah—with blazing trumpets, thundering timpani and the uplifting “Hallelujah” chorus—offers a thrilling and meaningful afternoon.
For a memorable afternoon spent with the family, “Nutcracker for Kids”—Tchaikovsky’s Christmas ballet in a condensed version specially designed for kids—is a perfect choice. Or, capture the spirit of Christmas with the “Holiday Organ Spectacular,” featuring a delightful mix of sacred and holiday music performed by organist Todd Wilson and Symphony brass players. Tickets start at $25; for more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office at (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.
HOLIDAY CONCERT CALENDAR 2010
NUTCRACKER FOR KIDS
Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010, 10 and 11:30 a.m.
Maxim Eshkenazy, conductor
Festival Ballet Theatre—Salwa Rizkalla, artistic director
Visions of sugarplums dance in your head after seeing Tchaikovsky’s delightful Christmas ballet—performed in a condensed version created just for kids. This seasonal favorite finishes with a grand holiday finale and is sure to sell out!
Pacific Symphony’s Family Musical Mornings are fun and fascinating 45-minute concerts designed especially for children 5-11. Enjoy family fun time together while enhancing your child’s (or grandchild’s) love of music.
During the Musical Carnival, enjoy free hands-on activities for children, who can meet Symphony musicians, sing, dance, play, color, try musical instruments and enjoy themselves in thematic activities related to the concert. Takes place at 9 a.m. for 10 a.m. concertgoers; 12:15 p.m. for 11:30 a.m. concertgoers.
HANDEL’S GLORIOUS MESSIAH
Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010, 3 p.m.
David Lockington, conductor
Pacific Chorale—John Alexander, artistic director
Carrie Hennessey, soprano
Kirsten Sollek, mezzo-soprano
Alan Bennett, tenor
Michael Dean, baritone
Handel: Messiah
A timeless masterwork that transcends three centuries of fads and fashions, Handel’s “Messiah” is an event of joy, reflection and renewal. Thrill to blazing trumpets, thundering timpani and the electrifying, uplifting “Hallelujah” chorus at Orange County’s most popular rendition of this cherished holiday tradition.
THE ANDY WILLIAMS CHRISTMAS SHOW
Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 16-18, 8 p.m.
Richard Kaufman, conductor
Still thrilling audiences more than 40 years after his debut, Andy Williams has crooned his way into the hearts of multiple generations. His quintessential interpretation of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” highlights this Pops Christmas special, which also features other Williams hits including “Moon River,” “Music to Watch Girls By,” “Can’t Get Used To Losing You” and “Days of Wine and Roses.”
HOLIDAY ORGAN SPECTACULAR
Tuesday, Dec. 21, 8 p.m.
Todd Wilson, organ
Lori Stinton, soprano
Mindy Ball, harp
Timothy Landauer, cello
Barry Perkins, trumpet
Tony Ellis, trumpet
Keith Popejoy, horn
Michael Hoffman, trombone
Jim Self, tuba
Conte: Christmas Intrada
Dupre: Variations on a Noel
Handel: Let the Bright Seraphim from “Samson”
Wood: Pastoral on “Forest Green”
Frescobaldi: Toccata
Karg-elert: Chorale-Improvisation on “In Dulci Jubilo”
Niles: I Wonder as I Wander
Adam: O Holy Night
Busser: The Sleep of the Infant Jesus
Anderson: Sleigh Ride
Widor: Toccata from Symphony No. 5
Featuring the curator of the E.M. Skinner pipe organ at Cleveland’s Severance Hall, our holiday spectacular captures the spirit of the season with a delightful mix of sacred and holiday music. “Sleigh Ride,” “O Holy Night” and a Christmas carol sing-along share the bill with traditional organ works by Bach, Handel and others.
