WEST SIDE STORY, ROMEO AND JULIET, Beethoven and Brahms Set for Pasadena Symphony's 2014-15 Classics Season

Pasadena Symphony Music Director David Lockington and Principal Guest Conductor Nicholas McGegan announce the 2014-2015 season, the first under their full artistic leadership. The 2014-2015 Classics Series sizzles with excitement, love stories, and stellar guest artists at Pasadena's historic Ambassador Auditorium. Programmatic highlights include Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, and Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet; back to back Beethoven with Symphony No. 6 "Pastorale" & Symphony No. 7, and Nicholas McGegan's reimagined Brahms Symphony No. 2.

Guest artist highlights include Grammy nominated Terrence Wilson with Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F, Venezuelan award winning pianist Gabriela Martinez with Grieg's romantic Piano Concerto and violinist Dylana Jenson, the first American woman to win the Silver Medal in the Tchaikovsky Competition brings her talisman, the Shostakovich Violin Concerto to perform with her husband, Pasadena Symphony's very own Music Director, David Lockington.

They will bring a dose of the contemporary and unique with Lockington's own composition Ceremonial Fantasy Fanfare, Christopher Rouse's Rapture, Joel Sheckman's Enter Light and McGegan's interpretation of Rameau's Ballet Suite from Naïs.

David Lockington describes the Pasadena Symphony's 2014-2015 season as "...having the largest sonic wardrobe imaginable and I look forward to presenting some of the most colorful and passionate masterpieces of music ever written. For me, I simply can't wait to share it all with you!"

Nicholas McGegan adds he is "...thrilled to be a part of the Pasadena Symphony team and am especially pleased that I'll be with the orchestra twice next season. The musicians play wonderfully and it is always such a treat to be in Ambassador Auditorium."

Audiences will also enjoy the new and vibrantly social Symphony Lounge, yet another addition to the care-free and elegant concert experience the Pasadena Symphony offers. A posh setting at Ambassador Auditorium's beautiful outdoor plaza, audiences can now enjoying delicious morsels from Claud &Co, fine wines by Michero Wines, plus music before the concert and during intermission. Five-concert subscription packages start at $150, regular individually priced tickets start at $35 and may be purchased online at www.pasadenasymphony-pops.org or by calling (626) 793-7172.

Bernstein & Gershwin
November 1, 2014
David Lockington, conductor
Terrence Wilson, piano

Lockington Ceremonial Fantasy Fanfare
Gershwin Concerto in F
Bernstein West Side Story: Symphonic Dances
Bernstein Candide: Overture

McGegan's Brahms
January 17, 2015
Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Esther Keel, Mihyang Keel, pianos

Davies An Orkney Wedding, With Sunrise
Poulenc Concerto for 2 Pianos
Brahms Symphony No. 2

Beethoven Symphony No. 7
February 14, 2015
David Lockington, conductor
Dylana Jensen, violin

Sheckman Enter Light
Shostakovich Violin Concerto
Beethoven Symphony No. 7

Beethoven Symphony No. 6
March 21, 2015
Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Geneva Lewis, violin

Rameau Ballet Suite from Naïs
Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3
Beethoven Symphony No. 6

Romeo & Juliet
May 2, 2015
David Lockington, conductor
Gabriella Martinez, piano

Rouse Rapture
Grieg Piano Concerto
Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet: Suite 1&2 (excerpts)

Pictured: David Lockington

Don't Miss a Classical Music News Story Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...