by joel martens
SUMMERTIME FUN Pacific Symphony has been making great music for a very long time. The orga-
nization celebrates 35 years this season, the last 24 of which, have been under the masterful guidance of Musical Director Carl St. Clair. Each season, the symphony endeavors to offer the broadest possible selec-
tion of music, ranging from the greatest orchestral masterworks, featuring such greats as Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma, to music from today’s most prominent film composers. Some of which include John Williams (Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T.), Howard Shore (Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Titanic, Apollo 13) and Elliot Goldenthal (Alien 3, Frida, Batman and Robin), all highlighted in the organization’s recent American Composers Festival. Ever-popular is Pacific Symphony’s Summer Festival Concerts series, held at
the fantastic Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine. A stunning outdoor venue, which allows for musical masterpieces to be performed with nothing but the starry heavens above. Arrive early, beginning at 6 p.m., armed with your favorite snacks and picnic accouterments for an evening of food, wine, friendship and inspired evening serenades.
FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE UPCOMING SUMMER FESTIVAL CONCERTS FOR YOU TO CHOOSE FROM FOR YOUR SUMMER- TIME FUN WITH PACIFIC SYMPHONY:
First up in the series is the big-band phenomenon Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on
Friday, July 4. This group has been performing continuously since its formation by original members Scotty Morris and Kurt Sodergren in 1998. Originating in Ventura, California, these swingin’, cool musical men have resurrected ‘40s and ‘50s groove rhythms and honed them like no other contemporary ensemble today. Along with songs performed from their multi-platinum recordings such as “Go Daddy-O” and “Mr. Pinstripe Suit,” the evening’s concert will also include Fourth of July favorites and a fab fireworks finale. George Gershwin helped to define “American music” is and would become in
the early part of the 20th century. Though his untimely death at 38 ended what had been a brilliant compositional career, the ground-breaking music he created
70 RAGE monthly | JULY 2014
CLASSICS AND WITH PACIFIC SYMPHONY
SYMPHONY
during his short life is burned forever in music history. Join the Pacific Symphony Sunday, July 20, in an evening under the stars for Gershwin Greats, the com- poser’s jazz-infused master works such as “Rhapsody in Blue,” “An American In Paris” and selections from the masque that redefined 20th century opera, Porgy and Bess. For those who might not know (though I am doubtful there are many), Fantasia
is the animated film produced by the late, great Walt Disney and conducted by the famed Leopold Stokowski back in 1940. Classical masterpieces such as “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” by Johann Sebastian Bach, the “Nutcracker Suite” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, “The Pastoral Symphony” by Ludwig van Beethoven, as well as pieces by Stravinsky, Ponchielli and Mussorgsky are the backdrop for Disney’s imaginative animations. Join the Pacific Symphony on Saturday, August 9 for Disney “Fantasia” Live in Concert as they “reanimate” this beloved classic. Nothing could be more delightful than a warm Southern California summer eve-
ning with a few friends, a picnic and a glass of wine, set to the contemporary jazz stylings of Kenny G and his superb saxophone. That is exactly what you will experi- ence on Saturday, August 23 if you purchase your ticket for this smooth-playin,’ curly-coiffed, reed-master. In a career that has spanned decades and includes 23 albums, multiple Grammy awards and over 75 million in record sales, little Kenny G, has come a long way from his Seattle school days. Ending the Summer Festival Concerts series on a classic note is a tradition for
the Pacific Symphony and this year is no exception. On Saturday, August 30 they will do it again with their Tchaikovsky Spectacular. Included in the evening’s fare are selected pieces by Rachmaninoff as played by guest pianist Jon Nakamatsu, “Pictures at an Exhibition” by Mussorgsky/Ravel, Tchaikovsky’s “Polonaise and Waltz” and his rousing masterpiece, the “1812 Overture,” complete with cannons. All in all, there are more than enough outdoor entertainment options for you
and yours all summer long with the great Pacific Symphony. Just remember to come early with your chairs and blankets and for heaven’s sake, that bottle of wine (though both can be had at the amphitheater in a pinch at
vzwamp.com)!
The Verizon Wireless Amphitheater is located at 8808 Irvine Center Drive in Irvine. For tickets and more information on Pacific Symphony’s Summer Festival Concerts, go to
pacificsymphony.org.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64