http://www.PacificSymphony.org
In case you’re intrigued by Pacific Symphony’s upcoming Music Unwound concert, “Mahler’s Ninth,” taking place Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 17-19, I thought you might be interested in hearing what Music Director Carl St.Clair has to say about it. (Although I sent the press release with all the details a few weeks ago, I’ve attached it again.)
Click the link to go directly to the video!
http://www.youtube.com/pacificsymphonyorg#p/u/0/O7qgnCxsHqU
Come celebrate the holidays with Pacific Symphony and enjoy the gift of music all season long. The orchestra provides a diverse assortment of concerts, beginning with one of the most beloved works of the Baroque repertoire—Vivaldi’s glorious “Four Seasons,” along with Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto.” Looking for something that the kids can enjoy? Consider family favorite, “Nutcracker for Kids,” featuring Tchaikovsky’s delightful Christmas ballet, performed in a condensed version created just for children. For those who find it hard to imagine a holiday season without Handel’s “Messiah,” the Pacific Chorale joins the orchestra to present the most famous oratorio in the world. If it’s uplifting, wholesome and inspiring music you’re looking for, there is no one better to capture the heartwarming essence of the holidays than Grammy-winning singer Michael W. Smith. And last but not least, enjoy the “Holiday Organ Spectacular,” for a moving mix of sacred and secular holiday music, featuring the Symphony in an all-new program.
All of the concerts take place in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Tickets are $15-$155. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.
The month of music begins Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 8-10, at 8 p.m., when the Symphony’s Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical Series welcomes conductor and violinist Henning Kraggerud, who pulls double-duty for Vivaldi’s best-known and most popular work, “The Four Seasons”—a lyrical masterpiece that paints tantalizing pictures of the earth’s changing seasons. Kraggerud then conducts Corelli’s Concerto Grosso, “Christmas Concerto,” and Grieg’s Holberg Suite, a collection of delightfully fresh Baroque-style dances originally composed for piano and only later adapted for string orchestra. And come early to hear a preview talk by Alan Chapman at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35-$110.
Then, prepare for visions of sugar plum fairies to dance across the stage for perennial sell-out, “Nutcracker for Kids,” on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., when Assistant Conductor Maxim Eshkenazy leads the orchestra and dancers from Orange County’s Festival Ballet Theatre in Tchaikovsky’s delightful Christmas ballet. Performed in a condensed version created specially for kids ages 5-11, this Family Musical Mornings concert, presented by Farmers and Merchants Bank, performance stays true to the original tale of Clara, a girl who receives an extraordinary gift: a nutcracker that magically turns into a prince. When the prince whisks Clara away to The Land of Sweets, she encounters a variety of delightful characters that include the Sugar Plum Fairy. This seasonal charmer finishes with a heart-warming holiday audience sing-along of favorite holiday carols. Tickets are $ 29-$39.
Blazing trumpets, thundering timpani and a chorus of heavenly voices! For many, the holiday season isn’t complete without the electrifying and uplifting “Hallelujah” chorus of Handel’s glorious “Messiah,” the most famous oratorio ever written. Taking place on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 3 p.m., this year’s single performance special is conducted by Christian Knapp, and features the Pacific Chorale, plus world-class soloists Sari Gruber, soprano; Malin Fritz, mezzo- soprano; Vale Rideout, tenor; and Nathan Stark, bass. Through some of the most beautiful music ever written, “Messiah” conveys a message of hope and remains fresh and meaningful each and every year. Tickets are $25-$100.
“It’s a Wonderful Christmas” with Symphony Pops and three-time Grammy Award-winning singer Michael W. Smith, whose wholesome charm and uplifting songs embody the spirit of Christmas on Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 15-17, at 8 p.m. Smith, who has sold more than 13 million albums, along with the Richard L’Angelus family band, joins the Symphony to perform a number of his spiritually inspired hits such as “Friends” and “Go West Young Man”—as well as music from his popular Christmas albums. During the first half of this concert, Principal Pops Conductor Richard Kaufman and the orchestra present an array of holiday favorites including “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Sleigh Ride,” and music from the classic film, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Plus, the audience is treated to the classic tale, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” narrated by John McCook. Tickets are $30-$155.
Joy to the World! The king of instruments plays the starring role in the “Holiday Organ Spectacular,” as part of the Pedals and Pipes Organ Series, taking place on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m. This concert features Todd Wilson, curator of the E.M Skinner pipe organ at Cleveland’s Severance Hall, performing on the $3.1 million William J. Gillespie Concert Organ; plus, soprano Lynn Eustis; Concertmaster Raymond Kobler; Principal Trumpeter Barry Perkins; Principal Percussionist Robert Slack, playing the vibraphone; and Harpist Mindy Ball. The Symphony’s holiday spectacular captures the spirit of the season with a delightful mix of sacred and holiday music, including “Sleigh Ride,” “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” “O Holy Night,” and much more! Also sharing the bill is a joyous Christmas carol sing-along. The Pedals and Pipes Organ Series is supported in part by The Loftus Family Foundation. Tickets are $15-$55.
