Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra Concludes Season With Gershwin's AN AMERICAN IN PARIS

Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra's (PSYO) 2017-18 season finale celebrates young talent by spotlighting this year's Concerto Competition winners, violinists Danielle Liu and Leo Matsuoka. The concert opens with Matsuoka's performance of the first movement of Alexander Glazunov's beautifully searing violin concerto, with its rich melodies and gorgeous orchestration, cast with extreme lyricism. It has become a modern classic, standing among the top concertos in the repertoire. The first movement of Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto then takes full advantage of the violin's expressive range, from the rippling high chords to the growling alto notes, delivered impressively by Liu. The concert closes on a sumptuous note with the ever-popular "An American in Paris" by George Gershwin.

Led by Pacific Symphony Assistant Conductor and PSYO Music Director Roger Kalia, PSYO is comprised of Southern California's most talented young symphonic musicians, grades 9-12. The concert takes place Sunday, May 20, at 7 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, PSYO concerts are free to attend but tickets are required. To reserve a general admission seat, call the Symphony's box office at (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

"This season was an amazing one, full of strides," says Maestro Kalia. "Each concert highlighted something different, and my goal for these young musicians was to expose them to as many different styles of music by a variety of composers. We close our season with one of the most beloved American composers of all time, George Gershwin, and a performance of 'An American in Paris.' This concert also features our two Concerto Competition winners."