This is a recital concert we want back in January. It is part of the Pacific Symphony's Pedals and Pipes Organ Series, featuring Paul Jacobs.
The screen was placed on the stage, so the folks far away can see Paul play the organ. And of course, it showed his footwork as well!
Paul Jacobs has been coming to Orange County every other year for some time now. On top of being a spectacular organist, he is a wonderful person. I can't speak for his students at Juilliard, but he's always gentle and patient, and I've never seen him seem a slight bit irritated! :)
Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565
Johann Sebastian Bach: Trio Sonata in E Minor, BWV 528
Johann Sebastian Bach: ”Arioso” from Cantata, BWV 156
Johann Sebastian Bach: Prelude and Fugue in D Major, BWV 532
Franz Liszt: Fantasia and Fugue on “Ad Nos, Ad Salutarem Undam”
The first half of the concert was all J. S. Bach, changing the Trio Sonata from the program notes (because he can!). It showed Bach's virtuosic side, technical side, tender side, and cheerful side. After the majestic piece by the half-gypsy half-priest Liszt, Paul closed the concert with another Bach encore, the Gigue Fugue.
Paul has played the entire organ works of Bach in one day several years ago. I wish I could have sit in on that. :)
If he publishes a Bach organ work box set, I'm sure to buy without hesitation!
We also went to see the rehearsal on Wednesday. They had an app called EnCue, which supposedly showed real time program notes. I couldn't find the concert on Saturday, so I guess it didn't work out as expected...
Assistant concertmaster Jeanne Skrocki served as concertmaster this time!
Music director Carl St.Clair conducted with pianist Alexander Romanovsky.
Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90
Paul Chihara: Wild Wood (West Coast premiere)
Serge Prokofiev: Concerto No. 2 in G Minor for Piano & Orchestra, Op. 16
Alan Chapman interviewed our star guests, Alexander Romanovsky and Paul Chihara at the pre-concert lecture. They talked about Alexande's youth, how composers can make the biggest bang for the buck, and other things. :)
This is the first time the Pacific Symphony played Prokofiev's 2nd piano concerto.
Music director Carl St. Clair conducted, with stage director Robert Neu.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: The Magic Flute
Tamino: John Tessier, tenor
Papageno: Hadleigh Adams, baritone
Pamina: Tess Altiveros, soprano
Queen of the Night: Kathryn Lewek, soprano
Sarastro: Evan Boyer, bass
Three Ladies: Amy Shoremount-Obra, soprano, Deborah Nansteel, mezzo-soprano, Julia Benzinger, mezzo-soprano
Monastatos: Julius Ahn, tenor
Child Spirits: Members of the Southern California Children’s Chorus
Papagena: Bridgette Gan, soprano
Speaker of the Temple, Priest, Armed Guard, Slave: Colin Ramsey, bass
Priest, Armed Guard, Slave: David Guzman, tenor
Puppet designer: Robin Walsh
Lighting designer: Kathy Pryzgoda
Costume designer: Katie Wilson
Wig and makeup designer: Ora Jewell-Busche
This was a "semi-staged" opera, which means the orchestra was on stage, instead of being in the pit. This allowed stage director Robert Neu to put in a lot of creativity. He also talked during the pre-concert talk with Alan Chapman, how he took the liberty of "contemporizing" the show. Tamino and Pamina were wearing office attire, Papageno was calling on Alexa to turn on the lights, etc.
I loved how Papageno was breaking the fourth wall all over the place! :)
At one point he was conducting the orchestra while Carl was holding the magic bells up high!
And of course, the Queen of the Night aria was amazing! The visual effect amplified the experience, with her huge puppet floating behind her like a guardian angel.
They still have one more performance on Tuesday. But in case you miss it, you can listen on the replay on KUSC, March 11.
