OLLI Orchestra’s Spring Concert is inspired by the beauty of nature. Maestro Wayland Whitney conducts captivating music written by Händel, Beethoven and the contemporary composer David Balakrishnan. The free concert takes place Saturday, May 18, at 2 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room N-12 at Sierra College in Grass Valley.
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F, Op. 68, “Pastorale” is one of only two symphonies named by Beethoven himself. The full title, “Pastoral Symphony, or Recollections of Country Life,” expresses Beethoven’s personal and emotional connection to Nature. Beethoven wrote in a letter, “How delighted I shall be to ramble for a while through bushes, woods, under trees, over grass and rocks. No one can love the country as much as I do.”
“Water Music,” a suite of short pieces for small orchestra by Händel, is known particularly for its highly spirited movements in dance form. Most of the pieces were intended for an outdoor performance. The work premiered on a barge on the River Thames, where it provided entertainment for a royal cruise hosted by King George I of Great Britain in 1717.
The audience is likely to be challenged by the first piece performed, “Skylife.” Balakrishnan’s groundbreaking work integrates stylistic elements of jazz, European classical, American folk and Indian classical music. It premiered at the Cabrillo Festival in Santa Cruz as part of the seven-movement Spider Dreams composition.
OLLI Orchestra, Nevada County’s Community Orchestra, was formed in 1978. When the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute—OLLI—granted funds to the orchestra in 2005, the group stabilized, securing rehearsal and performance spaces and a conductor. Musicians volunteer their time to rehearse and perform for the community through OLLI.
Although the concert is free, you must register for tickets. Seating is limited and OLLI concerts fill up quickly. Registration is easy and it’s not necessary to print your tickets. Visit OLLI Orchestra’s website, https://www.olliorchestra.org/events for complete concert details or go to bit.ly/olliconcert
Register for tickets here or go to bit.ly/olli-outloud-tix
Parking is ample and free, although ADA parking is limited. Click here for a map to the menu that includes alternative ADA parking.
New! If tickets are “sold out,” you may want to attend our Dress Rehearsal instead of the Concert. It’s casual and fun–great for patrons who seek “behind the scenes” adventure. The rehearsal is on Friday, May 17 at 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm-ish in the same venue as the concert. Ticket registration isn’t required for the rehearsal; however, we request that you attend either the rehearsal or the Saturday performance, but not both, to allow as many people to access and enjoy the music as possible.