The Inland Valley Symphony will take you on a journey around the world that savors the colors and sounds of the composers Gershwin, Bernstein and Dvorák. Rendering a palette of musical flavors, the symphony will move you with the Latin rhythms of Gershwin's popular Cuban Overture, make you want to dance during their performance of Bernstein's Three Dance Episodes and touch upon your heartstrings with the well-known favorite The New World Symphony by Antonin Dvorák.
Cuban Overture by George Gershwin will open the concert and was composed in 1932 after Gershwin took a vacation break in Havana, Cuba. He became intrigued by the music and rhythms around him and the infectious Cuban dances utilizing percussion instruments such as bongos, maracas, a gourd and claves (Cuban sticks). Gershwin's intent was to capture the essence of Cuban dance. Featuring the I.V.S. percussion section this piece will provide some rhythmic "eye-candy."
Leonard Bernstein's Broadway production of On The Town is a war-time story about three sailors who take a shore leave for 24 hours in New York City. Bernstein selected three of the production's dance numbers for use as a concert suite: Dance Of The Great Lover from the Dream Ballet, Pas de Deux from the Lonely Town Ballet and Times Square Ballet from the Finale, Act 1. The musical opened on Broadway in 1944 and was soon turned into an MGM film starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra.
Antonin Dvorák's Symphony No.9 in E minor, op. 95 from The New World, is perhaps the first piece of serious music that somehow seems to embody and convey the spirit of native American music. The various themes that are laced throughout the composition can be traced to French, German, Chinese, Scottish, Czech, American Indian origins and even to Negro spirituals. The work's multi-national flavor reflects the true essence of America's melting-pot society.
Please note: The performance of L'Horloge De Flore (The Flower Clock) by Jean Françaix is being rescheduled for a future concert, date to be announced. Written for oboe and orchestra, this whimsical and delightful selection will feature oboist Meg Cassell. The Flower Clock evokes the visual transformation of a clock, based on different kinds of flowers that open at specific times of the day. The Inland Valley Symphony would like to thank Mr. Al Ball, patron and professional pianist, for offering to sponsor the soloist and the music rental fees for this performance. We apologize for the change of programming and encourage you to watch future announcements for the reprogramming of this delightful piece.
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There will be no pre-concert talk at this concert.
Russian cellist Ruslan Biryukov joins musical forces with violinist Danielle Belen to perform the Brahms Concerto for Violin, Cello and Orchestra. This youthful, dynamic duo will present the compelling double concerto as a "single complex instrument," which was Brahms' strategy by which each soloist could shine individually.
Violinist Danielle Belen, winner of the 2008 Sphinx Competition, has recorded for Naxos and has performed as a soloist with the Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Nashville and San Francisco Symphonies, the Boston Pops, and the Florida and Cleveland Orchestras.
Cellist Ruslan Biryukov, known for his "superb artistry, passion and individuality," represents a new generation of creative professional musicians whose artistic level is recognized not only by awards, but also by a worldwide audience. Mr. Biryukov has performed throughout the world, including countries in the former USSR, in Europe, and in the United States.
The two soloists for this concert have been graciously sponsored by Inland Valley Symphony Board Member and Temecula area philanthropist Susie Keenan. The symphony wishes to thank Mrs. Keenan for her continuous support!
The Inland Valley Symphony will open the concert with the ever popular Tragic Overture and end this rousing and passionate All Brahms program with perhaps his most elusive symphony, the Third Symphony. According to Alfred Einstein in Music In The Romantic Era, "Brahms is the greatest representative of the musical Romantic movement, which sought to come to terms creatively with the past, unable to disregard Bach and Handel, Haydn and Mozart, and - above all - Beethoven."
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The first video below features Ruslan Biryukov with our friends at The West Covina Symphony, under the direction of Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann. Ruslan Biryukov performed the Dvorak Cello Concerto. This is the first movement - the second part. More information is available about Mr. Biryukov at his website www.celloart.com
The second video presentation features violinist Danielle Belen playing William Grant Still's "Mother and Child" Suite for Violin with the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, Tito Munoz, Conductor. For more information about Ms. Belen please visit her website www.belenviolin.com
FANTASTIC CREATURES - Young People's Concert: May 23 (Sun.) 2:30 pm & May 27 (Thurs.) 7:30 pm, 2010
Each season the Inland Valley Symphony presents a concert especially designed to appeal to audiences of all ages, featuring concerto performances by the Winners of the Young Artist Competition, in addition to a full concert program. Fantastic Creatures explores the imagination, weaving musical lines and stories centered around creatures, characters, and video game icons.
The concert will open with The Cowboys Overture by John Williams, an American award-winning composer. This robust overture from the motion picture The Cowboys, features themes and sounds reminiscent of the "Old West" and will leave you wanting to brush the dust off your chaps.
Composer Nathaniel Stookey and children's author Lemony Snicket collaborated on The Composer Is Dead for Narrator & Orchestra. "When it's discovered that the composer is dead, or "decomposing" as the author puts it, the inspector is called in to solve the mystery of his murder. One by one, he interviews the sections of the orchestra, thereby revealing their various musical roles. Each one, of course, has an alibi. Ultimately, after revealing a long list of also dead composers, the inspector finds his answers, and all who want "something a little more interesting" than justice are encouraged to go to the orchestra. (quoted by Patricia Tauzer from commonsensemedia.org)
Suite from Video Games Live arranged by Ralph Ford, will thrill the "gamers" in the audience as they will hear some of their favorite classic video games come to life on the orchestral stage! The music, set to a graphic visual presentation, depicting clips from actual video games, will feature favorite theme music from Halo, Civilization IV, Advent Rising, & Kingdom Hearts.
The crowned jewel of the concert will be Béla Bartók's Miraculous Mandarin which will be the culmination of the 2009-2010 season, highlighting shifting time signatures and rhythmic patterns, pentatonic themes and dance-like melodies.
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The following video is a humorous and informational conversation between composer Nathaniel Stookey and children's author Lemony Snicket explaining the plot line and creative intentions behind their collaboration on The Composer Is Dead. This is just one of the several uniquely interesting pieces on this concert program!
Concert passed - EUROPEAN TOUR - Nov. 1 (Sun.) 2:30 pm & Nov. 5 (Thurs.) 7:30 pm, 2009 - Featuring Award-Winning Pianist Ryan MacEvoy McCullough
Under the baton of Maestro Anthony Parnther, Inland Valley Symphony will take you on a tour of Europe and beyond; from the rhythms of Spain to the musical precision of Germany to passionate Russia.
Mr. Parnther has been invited to conduct the symphony as part of the symphony's Guest Conductor Series. His precise attention to musical detail will no doubt reflect in the orchestra's dramatic presentation of works from three composers who greatly differ stylistically.
The music of The Three-Cornered Hat (El Sombrero de Tres Picos), by Manuel de Falla (from Andalusia) was originally performed in Madrid and later danced as a ballet by the Ballet Russes in London. Suite No. 1 includes excerpts from the full production that utilize various themes from Andalusian folk music, including several characteristic Spanish dances: the fandango, the seguidilla and a strutting farruca.
Award-winning Pianist Ryan MacEvoy McCullough returns to perform yet another spectacular piano classic; Beethoven's Concerto for Piano & Orchestra No. 4 in G Major. This will be Ryan's third appearance with the Inland Valley Symphony. His previous performances have received rave reviews with rousing standing ovations. We expect this concert to offer none less than a stellar rendition of one of Ludwig van Beethoven's most cherished favorites. When 26-year-old Robert Schumann, heard Felix Mendelssohn's performance of this piece he was reported as saying "I sat in my place without moving a muscle or even breathing." (Wikipedia)
The Inland Valley Symphony would like to thank patron Rose E. Cook for sponsoring Mr. McCullough's appearance on the November concerts.
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky's fiery, symphonic poem, Francesca da Rimini, Symphonic Fantasy After Dante, op. 32, depicts the tragic tale of Francesca da Rimini, a beauty who was immortalized in Dante's Divine Comedy. Tchaikovsky uses swirling chromaticism and dramatic passages to convey the true depths of this passionate and emotional masterpiece.
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Here is a preview of Ryan performing the Beethoven Piano Concerto no. 4 in G major, 3rd movement, with the Colburn Orchestra, Leonid Grin conducting.
Venue Information.
Concert Venues & Directions
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All Sunday matinee concerts begin at 2:30 p.m. and will be held at the beautiful Gershwin Performing Arts Center located on the campus of the new Murrieta Mesa High School.
GERSHWIN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Murrieta Mesa High School
24801 Monroe Ave., Murrieta, CA 92562
Directions:
From the I-15 exit at California Oaks & go east, turn right on Monroe, turn right on Murrieta Mesa. Enter the campus & turn right. the theater is on the north end of the parking lot.
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All Thursday evening concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater, in the heart of rustic Old Town Temecula. Concessions are available in the theater's courtyard during intermission.
OLD TOWN TEMECULA COMMUNITY THEATER
42051 Main Street
Temecula, CA 92590
Directions:
Take the 15 Freeway and exit Rancho California Road.
Go west to Jefferson and turn left on Front Street (Jefferson is to your right, Front Street is to your left). Turn right on Main Street. The theater is on the right hand side of the street.
Copyright 2010 by Inland Valley Symphony, All Rights Reserved
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