http://www.pacificsymphony.org
High-definition photos of Earth and space accompany Strauss, Jr.’s “Blue Danube” waltz in a video premiere by astronomer José Francisco Salgado
Concert features Symphony trumpeter Barry Perkins as soloist
for evocative “Prayer of St. Gregory” by Hovhaness
Orange County, Calif.—Sept. 26, 2011—Experience the awe-inspiring grandeur of outer space with breathtaking images and orchestral sound during Pacific Symphony’s classical concert, “2011: A Space Odyssey,” featuring music from Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film of a similar name. Thanks to the iconic opening of “2001: A Space Odyssey,” Richard Strauss’s epic tone poem, “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” has been seared into the cultural consciousness, but Kubrick also chose Johann Strauss, Jr.’s graceful dance, “On the Beautiful Blue Danube,” to convey the magnificence of space. For this concert, guest conductor Giancarlo Guerrero returns (after performances in 2006, 2007 and 2009) to lead the orchestra in these masterworks, as the Symphony premieres a new multimedia work by astronomer José Francisco Salgado, featuring real footage of Earth and space all choreographed to the “Blue Danube” waltz.
Taking place Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 20-22, at 8 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, the concert features highly acclaimed pianist Jeremy Denk performing Mozart’s lyrical and joyous Piano Concerto No. 21, with the famous “Elivra Madigan” andante movement. Symphony trumpeter Barry Perkins takes the solo for Hovhaness’ mysterious and evocative “Prayer of St. Gregory,” and organist Christoph Bull joins the orchestra for “Also Sprach Zarathustra.” Bull also performs an organ postlude. Tickets are $25 to $110; for more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.
“I have to admit that I first became aware of Strauss’ work through Kubrick’s movie,” says Maestro Guerrero. “The movie utilizes the very famous sunrise introduction from this tone poem, but it really sets the tone for the rest of the piece, which is quite an orchestral tour de force. The piece is based on Nietzche’s treatise which deals with everyday human experiences we can all relate to: joys, passions, science, longing. This work is a great vehicle to showcase the individual virtuosity of the members of Pacific Symphony.”
To accompany Strauss, Jr.’s “On the Beautiful Blue Danube,” Pacific Symphony commissioned Salgado, an astronomer and visual artist at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, to choreograph a video similar to his work on the Symphony’s concert in December 2008, featuring Holst’s “The Planets.”
“I’ll start with beautiful footage of Earth (land, river and ocean) from space (shot from the space shuttle and from the International Space Station),” says Salgado. “The images show both the shuttle and the ISS themselves. Very 2001! Then we’ll continue our voyage (outwards), enjoying beautiful vistas of the moon, some planets, our Milky Way galaxy, other galaxies, and the largest structures of the universe—something we call the cosmic web. Like with all of my films, I follow very closely the tone and the tempo of the music and then find visuals that convey as close as possible what the music is dictating. The rest of this matching is in the editing.”
Guerrero continues, “Like Strauss’ ‘Zarathustra,’ the Mozart Concerto became a part of pop culture through a movie; in this case, it was the 1967 Swedish movie ‘Elvira Madigan.’ This piece, like the Strauss, are among the most recognizable tunes in the world; and these works also serve as a reminder that every single person on earth carries a bit of classical music DNA with them, even if you’ve never set foot in a concert hall.”
Performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 is soloist and chamber musician Jeremy Denk whose repertoire ranges from the standard works of the 18th and 19th centuries to 20th-century masters such as Ives, Ligeti, Lutoslawski and Messiaen, and on to new works by leading composers of today. The New York Times described his playing as “bracing, effortlessly virtuosic and utterly joyous,” and he has garnered comparable critical acclaim for his engagements with leading orchestras and presenters around the world. He has appeared as soloist with numerous major orchestras..
“I worked with Jeremy a few years ago doing Bartok’s Third Piano Concerto and I have had the privilege of watching him perform both as an orchestral soloist and as a chamber musician,” says Guerrero. “He is an immensely talented artist and wonderful musical collaborator. He is a very elegant and thoughtful performer and I believe one of the top pianists in the world. I am very excited to share the stage with him again.”
Now entering his third season as its music director, Guerrero continues to flourish with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra (NSO). This fall, Guerrero begins his new appointment as principal guest conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra Miami Residency. A fervent advocate of new music and contemporary composers, Guerrero has collaborated with and championed the works of many of America’s most respected composers, including John Adams, John Corigliano, Osvaldo Golijov, Jennifer Higdon, Aaron Jay Kernis, Michael Daugherty and Roberto Sierra.
His first recording with the Nashville Symphony, on Naxos, of Michael Daugherty’s “Metropolis Symphony” and “Deux Ex Machina,” won three 2011 Grammy Awards, including the category of Best Orchestral Performance. Internationally, highlights of this season include his first European tour with the Monte Carlo Philharmonic and Jean-Yves Thibaudet, concerts with the Slovenian and Strasbourg Philharmonics, the BBC Scottish and BBC Welsh Symphony Orchestras, and a return to the Sao Paulo State Symphony Orchestra.
Pacific Symphony’s Classical series performances are made possible by the Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation, with additional support from American Airlines, The Westin South Coast Plaza, KUSC and PBS SoCal. The concert sponsors for “2011: A Space Odyssey” are Tom and Vina Williams Slattery.
