The Pacific Symphony Announces Their 2014-2015 Season

Pacific Symphony announces what is perhaps its most significant season to date for the 36-year-old orchestra-the 2014-15 Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical Series and special events, celebrating Music Director Carl St.Clair's 25 years at the helm. Filled with giant stars and giants of the repertoire that have moved listeners for centuries, the season is pure St.Clair-embracing and celebrating all that great music can mean to the human heart. This milestone anniversary season has been carefully handcrafted by the maestro, steeped in music with deep meaning for him, as he is surrounded by friends who also happen to be some of the classical music world's biggest luminaries: Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman and Joshua Bell, to name just three. The biggest season ever-it includes more special guests, stellar 21st-century composers and some of St.Clair's greatest mentors and dearest friends.

While the theme of the season, "celebrating St.Clair's 25 years on a journey of illumination," reflects the maestro's quarter of a century at the helm of the orchestra-bringing light, understanding and appreciation to music throughout his tenure-it also envisions the future.

The season is rich with inventive and forward-thinking projects. Among the many highlights that are undeniably part of St.Clair's legacy-the Symphony, for the fifth year in a row, offers three new innovative Music Unwound programs, designed to contextualize and enhance the musical experience: "Cathedrals of Sound," "For the Love of Bernstein" and "Fire & Water." The highly popular opera and vocal initiative that began three seasons ago-"Symphonic Voices"-continues with Bizet's "Carmen," and special attention is given to the Symphony's relationship with the Pacific Chorale and the Southern California Children's Chorus. Additionally, the critically acclaimed American Composers Festival enters its 14th year by focusing on one of today's most iconic musician-composers: André Previn. Other contemporary composers playing a role in the season include Christopher Rouse, James Newton Howard, Laura Karpman and Narong Prangcharoen.

"I don't need to be celebrated," insists St.Clair. "I want to know that the values I possess and, in turn, the Symphony's core values are being celebrated, and that the orchestra's future is secured. For me, it's a time to pay homage to our community, a chance to say thank you to our patrons.

"The Pacific Symphony musicians and the role they have played in the success of orchestra are the true heroes of our story. It is our partnership that is the real legacy of the past 25 years. I also want to express my gratitude to our board of directors for their unwavering support. The backbone of the Symphony is the subscribers, ticket buyers and donors, who make our work possible. The greatest gift to me on this occasion is for many new patrons to subscribe to the classical season."

"The board of directors is proud to share Carl's vision of musical excellence and innovation," says Pacific Symphony Board Chair Michael Kerr. "We are stepping forward to invest and support his ambitious programming that enriches our community in countless ways."

Pacific Symphony President John Forsyte adds, "It is no surprise that so many illustrious figures in the classical music world are coming to celebrate. This is a nationally significant milestone. Few music directors achieve such longevity with an institution, and Carl can be credited with putting Pacific Symphony on the map. With his bold vision for community education, thematic programs, new commissions, and collaborations, Pacific Symphony has been regularly cited for its contributions to the orchestral landscape. This announcement is just the start. During the coming months other initiatives to expand service to Orange County and the region will be unveiled. Personally, I am proud to have collaborated with such a wonderful man for the last fifteen years."

For more information or to purchase season tickets for 12 classical concerts: $270-$990; for 14 concerts-including Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman: $360-$1,340 ($2,350, Box Circle); and for four Sunday Casual Connections, $85-$325; call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.