Shinobun Music

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Sunday, September 10, 2017

Tchaikovsky Spectacular

We went to the final summer concert of the Pacific Symphony on Saturday. This has become a family tradition to end summer with canons and fireworks.

Unfortunately, the Pacific Amphitheater does not have lawn seating, so we decided to let the kids have a sleepover at a friends home.

Music director Carl St.Clair conducted with pianist Yekwon Sunwoo.

Dmitri Shostakovich: “Galop” from Moscow, Cheryomushki

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Concerto No. 2 in C Minor for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 18 Moderato

Sergei Prokofiev: March in B-flat, Op. 99

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Overture Fantasy from Romeo and Juliet

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture Op. 49, TH 49

Yekwon Sunwoo was this year's Van Cliburn International Piano Competition gold medalist. You can sample his piano on Amazon. :)

The canons were placed at the top of the amphitheater.

I think they launched the fireworks from the parking lot, but I couldn't see where. They came up on the left-hand side, facing the stage. To get the best view, the right side seating would be the best. That will be sections 1, 7, and 8.

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Jurassic Park!

Went to see the Pacific Symphony's summer concert last night. It was an amazing experience! I always love the movie nights at the symphony. :)

It was the full 1993 movie by Steven Spielberg, based on the novel by Michael Crichton.

Pop concert conductor Richard Kaufman conducted the orchestra in real time, while the movie showed on the screen.

This was the first time we went to the new summer venue, the Pacific Amphitheatre at the OC Fair & Event Center. The first impression was, "hey, I don't have to walk that much from the parking area!" :)

They do have a picnic area that you can access from the back of the amphitheater, but you have to go through security check when you come back in. So it's a good idea to start heading back 30 minutes before the concert begins.

One drawback is that they do not have a lawn seating section. Our kids loved the Irvine Meadows lawn. They could run, roll down the hill, and they had a great time using up their energy before the concert began. I'm not sure how they're going to like the new place, but we're thinking of trying it out for the Tchaikovsky Spectacular concert n September 9th.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Resurrection!

KUSC is broadcasting the twelfth and final concert of the Pacific Symphony's 2016-2017 classical concert series tonight at 7 PM (PST).

Listen to Alan Chapman's preview on SoundCloud.

We went to the Sunday concert. :)

Music director Carl St.Clair conducted with soprano Mary Wilson, alto Margaret Lattimore, and the Pacific Chorale.

Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 2 in C Minor (Resurrection)

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Symphony in the Cities

Today and tomorrow (and last Sunday), the Pacific Symphony is giving a free outdoor concert!

The concert starts at 7 PM, but there is a "Musical Playground" before the concert that children (and adults) can have fun with. :)

Music director Carl St. Clair will be conducting with violinists Danielle Liu and Sarah Liu, and the Southern California Children’s Chorus and the YAYA Dance Academy. Every year, the concert features a concerto piece with very young musicians. This year, the soloists are Danielle Liu (17) and Sarah Liu (12), virtuoso sisters.

Leonard Bernstein: Overture to Candide

Leonard Bernstein: Mambo from West Side Story

Pietro Mascagni: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana

John Philip Sousa: Hands Across the Sea

Johannes Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 5 in F-Sharp Minor

Johann Strauss, Jr.: Thunder and Lightning Polka

Johann Strauss, Jr.: On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Op. 314

Johann Sebastian Bach: Air on a G String, D Major BWV 1068

Johann Sebastian Bach: Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins and String Orchestra, BWV 1043

John Williams: Superman March

John Williams: Flying Theme from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

Various: Armed Forces Salute

Samuel Ward (arr. Prechel): America the Beautiful

Irving Berlin: God Bless America

And of course, there's the patriotic sing-a-long. The lyrics should be in the program, so make sure you get one when you arrive!

The musical playground is full of activities, provided by the symphony and the local community. One thing you want to make sure to attend, is the conducting class by Carl St. Clair himself! He will teach the children how to conduct using a straw. And during the concert, all of his new apprentices with be invited to conduct one of the pieces! :)

The Saturday event starts at 4 PM at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center.

Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center

24932 Veterans Way

Mission Viejo, CA

The Sunday event starts at 5:30 PM at the Mike Ward Community Park Woodbridge.

Mike Ward Community Park Woodbridge

20 Lake Road

Irvine, CA