André Watts performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 for final concert of 2015-16 Classical Season June 2-4/Free “Plazacast and Community Festival” featuring music, art, dance inspired by Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique” takes place Saturday, June 4
More than 50 years after Leonard Bernstein introduced him to the world at the age of 16, André Watts remains one of the most celebrated and beloved piano superstars. In his hands, Beethoven’s revolutionary Piano Concerto No. 4 becomes a fitting finale to Pacific Symphony’s 2015-16 classical season. Led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, Beethoven’s masterpiece shares the stage with Berlioz’s musically riveting work, “Symphonie Fantastique,” inspired by the composer’s infatuation with a British ingénue. Full of vivid descriptions of obsession and dreams, tantrums and tenderness, suicide, murder, ecstasy and despair—the piece is a musical wonder. This concert takes place Thursday through Saturday, June 2-4, at 8 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Tickets range from $25-$110. A preview talk with Alan Chapman begins at 7 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.
On Saturday, June 4, is the Symphony’s fifth “Plazacast and Community Festival.” This free party on the Plaza outside Segerstrom Center for the Arts begins at 5 p.m. with food trucks, music, dance and art before the Symphony’s concert is projected simultaneously on the wall at 8 p.m. Performers and activities include Mobile Mural Lab, V&T Dance, The Axe Duo, actor David Prather as Berlioz and Shoreline Symphonic Winds.
Another chance to hear Berlioz’s fascinating work, “Symphonie Fantastique,” takes place during Sunday Casual Connections, on Sunday, June 5, at 3 p.m. Tickets for the Connections performance are $25-$96.
Janelle Kruly
Public Relations and Social Media Manager
