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Three world premieres, Britten’s “War Requiem,” and choral director debut on 65th anniversary season
La Jolla CA— La Jolla Symphony & Chorus (LJS&C) announces its 2019-2020 concert season featuring an adventurous mix of traditional repertoire, choral masterworks, premieres and more.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ruben Valenzuela as the incoming choral director of the La Jolla Symphony Chorus, and have planned a season to show off his multiple talents and versatility,” says LJS&C Music Director Steven Schick. “From John Adams’ enchanting Harmonium to Rossini’s operatic Stabat Mater to one of the true masterpieces of the 20th century, Benjamin Britten’s searing War Requiem; we will offer the most moving and inspiring music for chorus and orchestra.”
Other highlights of the season include established masterpieces, like Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 and Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra, alongside first performances by Celeste Oram (Thomas Nee Commission) and Anahita Abbasi (Brenda and Steven Schick Commission) and a commissioned work for orchestra and amplified percussion by the great American composer Michael Pisaro. The LJS&C completes its cycle of the Florence Price violin concertos with Co-Concertmaster Peter Clarke as soloist, and welcomes back San Diego Symphony Associate Conductor Sameer Patel as guest conductor in May. LJS&C also brings back the dazzling Keir GoGwilt in Schumann’s Violin Concerto and introduces 2018 Young Artist Winner violinist Ayrton Coehlo Pisco in a perennial favorite, the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. The complete 2019-2020 subscription series follows.
November 2-3, 2019
Steven Schick, conductor
Gioachino Rossini Overture to William Tell
Florence Price Violin Concerto No. 1
Bela Bartok Concerto for Orchestra
Soloist: Peter Clarke, violin
December 7-8, 2019
Steven Schick, Conductor
Celeste Oram Thomas Nee Commission WORLD PREMIERE
Robert Schumann Violin Concerto
John Adams Harmonium
Soloist: Keir GoGwilt, violin
February 8-9, 2020
Steven Schick, Conductor
Anahita Abbasi Brenda and Steven Schick Commission WORLD PREMIERE
Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 3
Michael Pisaro Concerto for Amplified Percussion & Orchestra WORLD PREMIERE
Soloist: Greg Stuart, percussion
March 14-15, 2020
Steven Schick and Michael Gerdes, conductors
Benjamin Britten War Requiem
Guest artists: Ariana Strahl, soprano; John Buffet, baritone; John Russell, tenor; San Diego Master Chorale
May 2-3, 2020
Sameer Patel, guest conductor
Claude Debussy Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Lili Boulanger D’un matin de printemps
Anton Webern Six Pieces for Orchestra, Op. 6
Toru Takemitsu Requiem
Arthur Honegger Symphony No. 3
June 6-7, 2020
Ruben Valenzuela, conductor
John Adams The Chairman Dances
Felix Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Gioachino Rossini Stabat Mater
Guest artists: Ayrton Coehlo Pisco, violin (2018 Young Artists Winner);
vocal soloists TBA
Pre-Season: The LJS&C presents its family-oriented annual Young People’s Concert on Friday, November 1, 2019 (7:00-8:00pm). The program features musical excerpts from the opening concert weekend, including Rossini’s William Tell Overture. Steven Schick conducts and provides commentary from the stage with audience Q&A. Free. Reserve tickets at EventBrite.com.
The performances take place in Mandeville Auditorium at UC San Diego. Concert times are 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. The six-concert subscription series is available at an “early bird” discount rate through June 2019 of $185 general, $175 senior (65+), $60 student. Prices increase on July 1. Single tickets ($18-$39) go on sale in late August. To purchase subscriptions or for more information, call 858-534-4637 or visit lajollasymphony.com.
The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus, San Diego’s oldest and largest community orchestra and chorus, is a non-profit musical performing group offering San Diego a classical music alternative. Its 90-person orchestra and 110-person chorus perform groundbreaking orchestral and choral music alongside traditional favorites from the classical repertoire. During the 65th season, Music Director Steven Schick shares the podium with Choral Director Ruben Valenzuela and guest conductors Sameer Patel and Michael Gerdes in works by Florence Price, Britten, Rossini, Bartok, John Adams, and more. Founded in 1954, LJS&C has been an affiliate of UC San Diego since 1967.