From turbulent, agitated and ominous to lyrical and tender—it's a passionate journey the audience won't soon forget when Pacific Symphony and guest pianist Haochen Zhang deliver Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 in all its glory. Following Zhang's BBC Proms debut, The Telegraph (United Kingdom) called the international piano sensation “one of those hot young Chinese virtuosi everyone's talking about.” Led by Bulgarian-born guest conductor Rossen Milanov, the orchestra then performs a work by Brahms, as the composer steps out of Beethoven's shadow with his rich, ingenious Second Symphony. The cheery and almost pastoral mood of the piece often invites comparisons with Beethoven's Sixth Symphony. Rounding out the versatile program is Thomas Adès' “Three Studies from Couperin,” of which The Jerusalem Post wrote: “Such a combination of enchanting, sensitive lyricism and hypnotizing forcefulness is a phenomenon encountered very rarely.”
When composer/arranger/pianist Billy Childs was introduced to the music of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer-songwriter Laura Nyro at the age of 11, he was left with a powerful and lasting impression of Nyro's unique blend of Broadway-inspired melodies, jazz improvisations and socially conscious lyrics. Childs returned to that early experience for his latest project, creating and orchestrating his newest album, Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro. Orange County jazz fans will have the opportunity to hear Childs' loving homage to the late great Nyro at Segerstrom Center for the Arts tonight, October 17 at 8 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.
Dear Friends of Music and Orange County's Pacific Symphony:
Welcome to Pacific Symphony's Annual Report to the Community. We are delighted to share with you some of the musical highlights and memories of the Symphony's 2013-14 season – the 35th season of Orange County's resident professional symphony orchestra.
Two superb jazz singers will share the stage at Segerstrom Center as four-time Grammy winner Dianne Reeves and rising vocalist and Grammy winner Gregory Porter perform on January 16 in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.
Broadway's favorite leading man, Brian Stokes Mitchell, opens Segerstrom Center's 2014 - 2015 Cabaret Season with his one-man-show Simply Broadway tonight, October 10 at 8 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.
Fewer boo!(s), more clues this Halloween! With the help of everyone's favorite detective, Pacific Symphony invites children and families to help solve the mystery of a haunted violin during this morning of music, laughter and clue-finding fun—“A Sherlock Holmes Halloween.” This first concert of the 2014-15 Family Musical Mornings series presented by Farmers and Merchants Bank is a campy, comedic turn from the traditional Halloween fare, and is appropriate for all ages, especially those ages 5-11. While leading the orchestra in Saint-Saëns' spooky “Danse Macabre,” Assistant Conductor Alejandro Gutiérrez hears a mysterious violin haunting the concert hall. To find out who is behind this shadow sound (played by brilliant young artist Francisco Fullana, who recently won the Johannes Brahms International Violin Competition), he asks for assistance from his “good friends,” Sherlock Holmes (played by Rich Wordes) and Watson (played by Stephanie Draude), to get to the bottom of the case.
Irish music sensation Celtic Woman is returning to North America and will celebrate the holidays at Segerstrom Center for the Arts with Home for Christmas - The Symphony Tour on Monday, December 15 in Segerstrom Hall.
Pacific Symphony proudly welcomes two new, accomplished musicians to the orchestra: Kyle Mendiguchia, bass trombone, and Ted Sugata, second oboe. Both made their official debut as members of the Symphony last weekend, performing on the first concert of the 2014-15 season featuring Joshua Bell in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.
More than 300 guests dressed in elegant cocktail attire gathered at The Westin South Coast Plaza for Pacific Symphony's Opening Night party on Thursday, Sept. 25, eager to celebrate Music Director Carl St.Clair's milestone 25th anniversary with the orchestra. A festive poolside cocktail reception and gourmet dinner in the Terrace Pavilion featured a bounty of surprises for St.Clair, including performances by Pacific Symphony musicians, the John Alexander Singers and music by the maestro's mentor, Leonard Bernstein. Hosted by the Symphony's Board of Directors, the special event continued through the opening concert of the 2014-15 Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical series, featuring classical superstar Joshua Bell, and included a reception on the Box Circle level of the hall during intermission and a post-concert party back at The Westin. The evening—presented by South Coast Plaza—raised more than $150,000 to support the Symphony's artistic and education programs. Additional sponsors included platinum sponsors Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin Newport Beach and artist sponsors Ellie and Mike Gordon.
—“Cathedrals of Sound,” the first Music Unwound concert of Pacific Symphony's season, offers an evening of inspiration, awe and ambience, bathed in waves of sound and reminiscent of the unique spiritual journey taken in 2010, when world-renowned organist Paul Jacobs and the remarkable Norbertine Fathers of St. Michael's Abbey made their first appearance together with the orchestra. In 2014, the Fathers return to fill the hall with their splendid, sonorous and worshipful voices, and Jacobs performs on the William J. Gillespie Concert Organ for this all-new program. The concert opens with a rarely performed and powerful work of the Italian composer Ottorino Respighi, his “Church Windows.” Inspired by stained glass artistry, it is a work that Pacific Symphony recorded in 1983 with founding music director, Keith Clark. Plus, the rich voices of the Fathers perform the Gregorian chants that inspired Maurice Duruflé—whose transcendent “Requiem” concludes the program and features vocalists mezzo-soprano Elise Quagliata, baritone William Berger and Pacific Chorale (Artistic Director John Alexander).
Joining the illustrious list of renowned ballet companies presented by Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the Mikhailovsky Ballet from St. Petersburg, Russia will make its West Coast debut opening the Center's 2014 - 2015 International Dance Series performing The Flames of Paris, a work rarely seen in a full production. The Mikhailovsky will dance four performances November 28 - 30, 2014 in Segerstrom Hall.
Orange County, Calif.—Aug. 28, 2014—Pacific Symphony launches Music Director Carl St.Clair's landmark 25th-anniversary “season of giants” with classical music superstar, violinist Joshua Bell, plus two orchestral showpieces, a West Coast premiere and festivities fit for the grand occasion. Bell returns for his fifth performance with the Symphony (he last performed with the Symphony in May 2010) to celebrate the maestro and captivate audiences with the exciting, breakneck theme and stunning Romanticism of Alexander Glazunov's Violin Concerto. Interview Magazine may have summed up the remarkable violinist's playing best by saying, Bell “does nothing less than tell human beings why they bother to live.” The violinist's artistry is exemplified in his new music directorship of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, his release of 40 CDs since the age of 18, multiple television appearances and countless accolades.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts welcomes back the world renowned, Grammy- winning Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano for a celebratory evening of Mexican and American holiday songs, inspired choreography performed by Folklor Pasio?n Mexicana as well as audience sing-alongs in Fiesta Navidad on December 23 in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.
Grammy nominated, Golden Globe 'Entertainer of the Year' and multi-platinum selling artist Engelbert Humperdinck will perform at Segerstrom Center for the Arts for one night only tonight, September 20 at 7:30 p.m. in Segerstrom Hall. The charismatic and consummate entertainer will please audiences and 'Humperdinckers' alike with music from his vast catalogue, including hits such as 'Quando, Quando, Quando,' 'Release Me,' 'The Last Waltz,' 'Spanish Eyes' and many more tender ballads. London Times calls him, 'The premier voice of the 20th Century.'
Grammy Award-winning artist Judy Collins makes her Segerstrom Center for the Arts debut in her Holidays and Hits concert on December 6 in the Rene?e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. It will be an evening of beloved holiday songs and music from her five-decade career that has produced such legendary interpretations as 'Both Sides Now,' 'Send in the Clowns' and 'Amazing Grace.' The New York Times states, 'Watching Ms. Collins perform ... is like studying a jewel that reveals new facets as it is slowly turned into the light.' Joining her will be the Passenger String Quartet.
Legendary progressive rock pioneer Ian Anderson will make his Segerstrom Center for the Arts debut tonight, September 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Segerstrom Hall where he'll perform both Jethro Tull favorites and songs from his new album, Homo Erraticus. Homo Erraticus is out on April 15 on his own Calliandra Records, distributed by Kscope. The album continues with the story of Anderson's favorite enfant terrible Gerald Bostock. For his Center visit, he will be joined by guitarist Florian Opahle, bassist David Goodier, keyboardist John O'Hara, drummer Scott Hammond and singer Ryan O'Donnell.
Bringing in a new and surprising take on the legend of Robin Hood, Visible Fictions makes a stop at Segerstrom Center for the Arts with a production The Scotsman newspaper calls, "A timely contemporary twist on the story." Created by the company that brought the hit show Jason and the Argonauts to stages all over the world, The Adventures of Robin Hood breathes life into the outlaw we all know so well. Co-Commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Robin Hood comes to Samueli Theater on November 8 & 9 for three performances only.
Segerstrom Center welcomes emerging vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant in four powerful performances on November 14 & 15 in Samueli Theater and will be accompanied by virtuoso pianist/composer Aaron Diehl.
