MORE STRAUSS, LESS STRESS, INDEED
Pacific Symphony rings in the New Year January 9-11 at 8 with Four Seasons and Strauss, featuring two inspiring masterpieces that are sure to uplift and calm the spirit. First, Concertmaster Dennis Kim takes the virtuosic solo role playing plays the 1701 ex-Dushkin Stradivarius to lead Vivaldi’s 1720 composition of The Four Seasons. One of the most recognized works in classical music, Vivaldi transports listeners to Italy to imagine spring’s blossoming flowers, the warmth of the summer sun, autumn’s plentiful harvest and the crisp winter air in the Baroque style.
Then, Music Director Carl St.Clair takes the audience through an emotionally revitalizing journey at full blast with Richard Strauss’s soaring An Alpine Symphony, one of the greatest tone poems ever written. Being an avid hiker with 318 National Parks under my belt, I always find it remarkable when a composer evokes nature through the scoring of instruments — and when you have a crew as talented as Pacific Symphony, the effect will be transportive, as every principal gets to strut their stuff. Everything in this rarely performed 45-minute beautiful beast — from buzzing bees and warbling birds to storms — is evoked by wind machine, organ, string quartet, and, yes, the rather obvious use of cowbells. Don’t expect memorable leitmotifs here, just lean back and let the music take you on a meditative journey through nature.
Written in 1915, the piece follows a mountain climber through the Bavarian Alps as they experience nature’s changing beauty throughout the day, from the illustrious sunrise to the peaceful nightfall. The piece represents strength, liberation and abundant success – matching the excitement and aspiration that fills the air for the year ahead. The performance includes visuals by Tobias Melle projected on a large screen above the orchestra to transform the concert into an immersive cinematic event, offering an enveloping narrative that will captivate both eyes and ears. Strap in for a high-altitude journey without leaving sea level; oxygen masks not required.
On Sunday, Jan 12 at 3, Alpine Symphony plays solo — you’ll not only get to enjoy the music with the screening but also commentary from St.Clair as he guides you through the piece before it is performed.
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Thursday-Saturday, January 9-11 at 8
preview talk with Alan Chapman at 7
Alpine Symphony plays Sunday, January 12 at 3 for A Day in the Alps
for tickets (50-$193), call 714.858.0945 or visit Pacific Symphony.
