pacificsymphony

Mussorgsky: ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ sans Ravel

A good way to prepare for this week’s performances by Carl St.Clair and Pacific Symphony of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” in Ravel’s incomparable orchestration is to hear the piece in its original version, for solo piano. Here’s Alice Sara

Neglected symphony: Wilhelm Peterson-Berger Symphony No. 5

I hadn’t even heard of this composer before a conductor friend suggested I listen to this piece, the Symphony No. 5 by Wilhelm Peterson-Berger (1867-1942). Peterson-Berger was a Swedish composer and music critic who was an anti-modernist. The Symphony No.

Mussorgsky: ‘Night on Bald Mountain,’ original version

Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky was born on this date (Old Style) in 1839. Here’s the seldom-heard original version of his “Night on Bald Mountain.” The work is most familiar in a rather radical arrangement made by Rimsky-Korsakov. In many ways,

Books on classical music: Some essentials (1)

A little knowledge will help you enjoy classical music more than none. A lot of knowledge will help even more. Here are a few books that I think every classical music lover should have on their shelves for easy reference.

Shapero: ‘Nine-Minute Overture’ (Previn, L.A. Philharmonic)

Here’s a boisterous American work not often encountered: the “Nine-Minute Overture” (1940) by Harold Shapero (1920-2013). Andre Previn conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ (film)

Here’s a short preview of a film created by students from the USC School of Cinematic Arts that will accompany Pacific Symphony’s performances of “Pictures at an Exhibition” this month. Performances are March 15-18.

Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 (Oistrakh, Philharmonia)

Here’s a warm, full-bodied and irresistibly singing recording of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3. David Oistrakh is the violinist and conductor with the Philharmonia Orchestra. Hear Pinchas Zukerman perform this same work with Carl St.Clair and Pacific Symphony on March

2018-19 season brochure

The brochure for our classical season.

March vlog update

Here’s my colleague, master of public relations and social media, talking about upcoming concerts at the Symphony in this month’s video log.