August 30, 2016 –
The InConcert Sierra Orchestra returns to the stage Sept. 18 to launch the 2016-17 season with a program featuring musician and patron favorites alike. Artistic Director and Conductor Ken Hardin has chosen stirring selections such as Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty Waltz, Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain and Pavanne for a Dead Princess for a compelling start to the Third Sunday Series.
The 46-member orchestra is comprised of local and regional high-caliber professional musicians, under the direction of Hardin. His program is based on the results of an audience survey in the spring.
“These pieces are beautiful and timeless. While they are widely held favorite gems, many of of the works are rarely programed,” said Hardin. “In fact, I’ve received many comments from the musicians who are excited about the program, and I’m thrilled too. This concert is definitely a crowd pleaser. It includes three movements from one of my favorites, Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, also requested by our concertmaster Richard Altenbach. We just had to get one in for us, and we know it will be beloved by all.”
Principal cellist David Speltz agrees.
“How lucky that we can come to this favorite area of the world, be with wonderful friends and musicians, and perform the music of Ravel, my personal favorite 20th century composer, and of Arriaga, the namesake of my string quartet,” Speltz said from his home-base in Los Angeles.
In an ironic twist, a few of the very works singled out by InConcert Sierra’s audience as favorite Pieces did not see much, if any acclaim in the composers’ lifetimes, for example, Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain. The composer’s mentor, Miliy Balakirev, would not perform it. It took until five years after his death for the piece to make it to the concert stage and receive some well-deserved acclaim. Then 50 years after that, Night on Bald Mountain skyrocketed in popularity when Disney incorporated it in to the 1940 movie “Fantasia” — featuring a dark, winged figure looming over the town below, awakening spirits in the night. The music continues to inspire Disney, which is currently in production on a live-action film based on the 1940 movie segment from “Fantasia.”
Similarly, Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty Waltz” did not see much commercial success until after the composer’s death in 1893. By 1903, it had become one of the most performed ballets in the repertoire of the Imperial Ballet in Tchaikovsky’s homeland of Russia.
Experience the stunning work in person at the 2 p.m. Sept. 18 InConcert Sierra Orchestra performance. The concert is an annual benefit event for the time-honored nonprofit arts organization, which began in 1946. Sponsorships are available for individual musicians. For more information, call 530-273-3990 or please visit http://www.inconcertsierra.org/
Tickets for the 2 p.m. Orchestral Favorites concert will be $34 and youth 5-17 will be free with the purchase of an adult ticket (please call 530-273-3990 to reserve youth tickets). General admission tickets are available by phone 530-273-3990, online at http://www.inconcertsierra.org or in person at BriarPatch Co-op, or at the door.
The concert will be at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 12889 Osborne Hill Road in Grass Valley. For more information, please visit http://www.inconcertsierra.org
WHO: InConcert Sierra presents
WHAT: Orchestral Favorites performance
WHEN: 2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 18
WHERE: Seventh-day Adventist Church, 12889 Osborne Hill Road, Grass Valley
TICKETS: $34 general admission, youth 5-17 free with purchase of adult ticket, available by phone at 530-273-3990, online at www.inconcertsierra.org (online ticketing fees may apply) or at BriarPatch Co-op
INFO: 530-273-3990