Pacific Symphony presents the perfect story to introduce children to the sounds of the orchestra—Prokofiev's wildly popular and charming “Peter and the Wolf”—which wraps up this season's Family Musical Mornings series, presented by Farmers and Merchants Bank. The imaginative duo from Magic Circle Mime Co., Maggie Petersen and Doug MacIntyre, tie comedy and movement to the music to illustrate the story of Peter, a brave young boy who must outsmart a wily wolf to help save his animal friends. Along with Assistant Conductor Alejandro Gutiérrez, the Symphony's principal musicians interact with the mimes and become characters in the story, as Benjamin Smolen (flute) plays the Bird, Jessica Pearlman (oboe) plays the Duck and Benjamin Lulich (clarinet) plays the Cat. With the thundering timpani of the Hunters and the French-horn sounds of the stalking Wolf, Prokofiev's thrilling music alerts children to the powerful stories music can tell.
Gleaming with glamour and virtuosity, Sarah Chang, one of the world's foremost violinists, returns to Pacific Symphony to perform Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto, which takes full advantage of the violin's expressive range, from the rippling high chords to the growling alto notes. With an international career that spans more than two decades, Chang enthralls once again-this time alongside guest conductor Tito Muñoz, who recently served as music director of two esteemed organizations in Lorraine, France. Muñoz leads the orchestra in Dvo?ak's Symphony No. 8, optimistic and bright, filled with folk music and Bohemian dances. Opening the concert and having its West Coast premiere is a sensuous work by Adam Schoenberg, 'Finding Rothko' (2006). Inspired by four bold paintings by American Abstract Impressionist painter Mark Rothko, the work is a musical depiction of the emotions Schoenberg felt embodied in each of the paintings.
Gleaming with glamour and virtuosity, Sarah Chang, one of the world's foremost violinists, returns to Pacific Symphony to perform Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto, which takes full advantage of the violin's expressive range, from the rippling high chords to the growling alto notes. With an international career that spans more than two decades, Chang, the “thrill seeker” who made Mendelssohn “sizzle” (Orange County Register) when she opened the Symphony's 2011-12 season enthralls once again—this time alongside guest conductor Tito Muñoz, who recently served as music director of two esteemed organizations in Lorraine, France. Muñoz leads the orchestra in Dvo?ák's Symphony No. 8, optimistic and bright, filled with folk music and Bohemian dances. Opening the concert and having its West Coast premiere is a sensuous work by Adam Schoenberg, “Finding Rothko” (2006). Inspired by four bold paintings by American Abstract Impressionist painter Mark Rothko, the work is a musical depiction of the emotions Schoenberg felt embodied in each of the paintings.
Pacific Symphony's critically-acclaimed American Composers Festival (ACF) continues for the 14th year with "From Screen to Score: New Concert Music by Famous Film Composers"-who happen to be four of today's biggest Hollywood heavy-hitters: John Williams ("Star Wars," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "E.T., the Extra Terrestrial"), Howard Shore ("Lord of the Rings," "The Hobbit," "Hugo"), James Horner ("Titanic," "Star Trek," "Apollo 13") and Elliot Goldenthal ("Alien 3," "Batman Forever" and "Batman and Robin"). Together, these iconic composers boast 11 Oscars and countless billions of box office dollars. They also hold the ironic position of simultaneously being the most-heard orchestral composers ever (the soundtrack for "Titanic" sold 30 million copies), yet their music is the least performed.
International rock icon Yoshiki has announced three new concert dates across Asia to his highly anticipated Yoshiki Classical tour. X Japan's founder and leader will bring his first classical concert tour to Taipei, Taiwan, as well as, Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. The newly added concert dates follow Yoshiki's recently announced Bangkok, Thailand performance. Yoshiki, Asia's foremost rock icon and multi talented music superstar, will embark on the Yoshiki Classical tour at Segerstrom Center for the Arts on Friday, April 25 at 8 p.m. in the Rene?e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall before setting off across North America, Europe and Asia, culminating in Yoshiki's native Japan.
Pacific Symphony's critically-acclaimed American Composers Festival (ACF) continues for the 14th year with “From Screen to Score: New Concert Music by Famous Film Composers”—who happen to be four of today's biggest Hollywood heavy-hitters: John Williams (“Star Wars,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “E.T., the Extra Terrestrial”), Howard Shore (“Lord of the Rings,” “The Hobbit,” “Hugo”), James Horner (“Titanic,” “Star Trek,” “Apollo 13”) and Elliot Goldenthal (“Alien 3,” “Batman Forever” and “Batman and Robin”). Together, these iconic composers boast 11 Oscars and countless billions of box office dollars. They also hold the ironic position of simultaneously being the most-heard orchestral composers ever (the soundtrack for “Titanic” sold 30 million copies), yet their music is the least performed.
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 on Saturday, 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."
Teachers and school administrators, PTA members, community partners, nonprofit organizations and others interested in presenting world-class artists at assemblies or teach art workshops at their sites are encouraged to attend Segerstrom Center for the Arts' annual Arts Teach Showcase on April 29 from 8:45 a.m. to 1:16 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. During this free action-packed and fun-filled day, attendees can watch live performances on three stages, experience hands-on workshops and meet with the talented teaching artists to explore unique and wonderful ways of presenting customized programs for upcoming events.
Pacific Symphony and Segerstrom Center for the Arts are coming together to present 'a madly original organist whose programs careen across centuries of musical history and sashay deep into our popular culture (music writer Alex Ross in his book, The Rest is Noise)'-rock star of the pipe organ, Cameron Carpenter. Still only in his early 30s, Carpenter is creating quite a stir in the press: 'Carpenter is one of the rare musicians who changes the game of his instrument,' wrote Mark Swed of the Los Angeles Times. 'He is a smasher of cultural and classical music taboos. He is technically the most accomplished organist I have ever witnessed... And, most important of all, the most musical.' The headline in the Wall Street Journal read:'Not Your Grandma's Organist,' followed by this description of Carpenter: 'Alternately dazzling and subtle, and always fired by a profound musical intelligence.' The maverick musician who is causing the music world to sit up and take notice is also the first organist ever nominated for a Grammy Award for a solo album. Perhaps The New York Times put it most succinctly when they simply called Carpenter 'extravagantly talented.'
Pacific Symphony and Segerstrom Center for the Arts are coming together to present rock star of the pipe organ, Cameron Carpenter. Still only in his early 30s, Carpenter is creating quite a stir in the press. The maverick musician who is causing the music world to sit up and take notice is also the first organist ever nominated for a Grammy Award for a solo album.
Nine-time Grammy Award-winning artist John Legend will appear at Segerstrom Center for the Arts for the first time when he performs tonight, April 2 at 8 p.m. in the Rene?e and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. This engagement is part of his recently announced 2014 North American tour titled, An Evening with John Legend: The All of Me Tour, which begins March 20 and goes through June. Legend is featured in an intimate acoustic setting, highlighted by guitar/vocal accompaniment as well as a string quartet.
Nine-time Grammy Award winning artist John Legend has announced dates for his 2014 North American tour titled 'An Evening with John Legend: The All of Me Tour.' The tour which began March 20th in Temecula, CA and goes through early June will feature John in an intimate and acoustic setting, highlighted by guitar/vocal accompaniment as well as a string quartet. The tour will stop at Santa Rosa's Wells Fargo Center for the Arts tonight, April 1, with an 8 p.m. performance, and other stops on the tour will include a night at the prestigious Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, CA on March 26th as well the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, NY on May 31st.
Mega-watt stars light up the stage for Pacific Symphony's highly anticipated 2014-15 Pops series featuring seven not-to-be-missed concerts that include a bit of nostalgia, romance, celebration and a plethora of memorable music—all enhanced by the “Hollywood” sound of the orchestra. Led by Principal Pops Conductor Richard Kaufman, the season blasts off with a tribute to the iconic Frank Sinatra, with such jazz standards as “Fly Me to the Moon.” Add to that legendary stars Paul Anka, Herb Alpert and Lani Hall and, just in time for Christmas—
Sweet, singing lines stem from the fingertips of Russian pianist Yulianna Avdeeva as she joins Pacific Symphony to perform the compelling melodies of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1, led by Music Director Carl St.Clair. Winner of the First Prize at the International Frederic Chopin Competition in 2010, Avdeeva has been praised especially for her Chopin interpretations: "Her pacing is born of intelligent feeling and clarity of thought, and her ability to finesse Chopin's inner voices puts many to shame" (The Guardian). Chopin himself was a prodigy and wrote with glittering aesthetics for piano like no other composer ever would. Following this expressive piano solo, St.Clair takes the orchestra on the courageous journey created by Richard Strauss in his tone poem, "Ein Heldenleben" (A Hero's Life). The work is held dear by St.Clair and the orchestra, who performed it on the European tour in 2006 to glowing reviews, and it features Concertmaster Raymond Kobler playing the solo violin representative of Strauss' wife, Pauline.
In a partnership that celebrates human imagination and creativity, Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings (PSSS) is joined by The Studio at Sage Hill to present “Imagine That!,” a concert and art exhibit that showcase the relationship between the two art forms. For their season finale, PSSS highlights a display of student artwork inspired by Mussorgsky's “Pictures at an Exhibition” in a pre-concert lobby exhibition and onscreen in a slideshow synced to the performance. Led by Music Director Irene Kroesen, PSSS also performs Mascagni's Intermezzo from “Cavalleria Rusticana,” “Charterhouse Suite” by Vaughan Williams and Saint-Saëns' “Danse Bacchanale” from “Samson and Delilah.” The concert takes place Saturday, April 27, at 3 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Admission is free. The artwork, created by Sage Hill high school students and 6th -9th graders from across the county, is also being featured in an art show at The Studio at Sage Hill on March 27, where a chamber ensemble from PSSS performs.
Legendary progressive rock pioneer Ian Anderson will make his Segerstrom Center for the Arts debut on Thursday, 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.
John Maeda, author of the best-selling book Redesigning Leadership, will be the featured speaker at the fifth annual Creative Edge Lecture today, March 26 from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, presented by Arts Orange County, Fourth District PTA, Orange County Department of Education and Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The title sponsors of the event are The Boeing Company and Phil & Mary Lyons.
Segerstrom Center for the Arts welcomes back JERSEY BOYS, the Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical about Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, playing in Orange County from June 24 - July 13, 2014. Single tickets, which start at $29.75, will go on sale Sunday, April 13 at 10 a.m. PST. Tickets will be available online at SCFTA.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling (714) 556-2787. For inquiries about group ticket savings for 10 or more, call the Group Services office at (714) 755-0236. The TTY number is (714) 556-2746. The 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, July 5 will include audio description, open captioning and sign-language interpretation.
