San Bernardino, CA – The final concert in the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra’s 88th consecutive season, “Music for an Elegant Afternoon,” will be presented as a 3 p.m. matinee on Mother’s Day May 14, 2017, at the historic California Theatre of the Performing Arts. This family-friendly concert will include music from Ludwig Van Beethoven, Franz Peter Schubert, and Jacques Francois Antoine Ibert.
The orchestra will open with Schubert’s Symphony No. 6 in C Major, also known as “The Little Symphony” which was composed between October 1817 and February 1818. Presented in four movements, its first public performance was in Vienna in 1828. It nickname was given to distinguish it from the composer’s later Ninth Symphony, in the same key, which is known as the “Great C major.”
Interestingly, Schubert himself also bore a memorable nickname: “Schwammerl” which translates to “Tubby” or “Little Mushroom” referencing the composer’s slight stature and notable girth. Although Schubert died before his thirty-second birthday, interest in his work increased significantly in the decades following his death. Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt, Johannes Brahms and other 19th-century composers discovered and championed his works. Today, Schubert is ranked among the greatest composers of the late Classical and early Romantic eras and is one of the most frequently performed composers of the early nineteenth century.
“We believe the audience members of all ages will love hearing this piece,” said Symphony Maestro Frank Paul Fetta, adding, “Each instrument is beautifully highlighted so easily identified and showcased. In addition, in the fourth movement the audience is treated to some delightful folk, hurdy-gurdy, and merry-go-round-style themes which were very unusual at the time this piece was written.”
Following, the Symphony and featured artist Patricia Cloud will perform Ibert’s Flute Concerto.
Written in 1934, the Concerto provides a more modern example of instrumental showcasing. In fact, wrote the eclectic composer about his concertos, “I have allotted the instruments the types of themes which correspond to their particular tone qualities and respect their expressive possibilities.”
Ibert’s Concerto is not often performed due to its perceived difficulty. The opening movement is bright, transitioning to a slower, more languorous second theme. Throughout, the flute is kept constantly busy. The second movement is more lyrical and accompanied by somewhat more gentle strings. The final movement is a lively and includes a dazzling solo improvisation. This Finale is such a challenge for flutists that it is used as a test piece at the Paris Conservatoire.
“We have chosen a flutist who is fully capable of addressing this extremely challenging piece and amazingly, she is one of our own!” said Fetta, adding, “Musicians of Patricia’s caliber are rare, but San Bernardino is incredibly fortunate to have an orchestra full of some of the finest musicians in the country.”
In fact, Patricia Cloud is the Principal Flutist for both the San Bernardino Symphony and the Mozart Classical Orchestra and is the flute player in residence for Ahmanson Theater. Besides playing in orchestras under the baton of conductors such as Frank Fetta, Christoph von Dohnanyi, Yuri Temirkanov, David Zinman, and Stewart Robertson, she has performed with a wide variety of artists including Stevie Wonder, Annie Lennox, John Tesh, and has traveled the world with the famous Persian singer, Dariush.
Following an intermission, the Symphony will present Beethoven’s beautiful Symphony No. 1 in C Major.
The Symphony premiered in 1800, effectively announcing Beethoven’s talents to Vienna. It is clearly indebted to Beethoven’s predecessors, particularly his teacher Joseph Haydn, as well as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Still the piece bears many of the composer’s unique and identifiable characteristics, notably the frequent use of sudden, strong musical emphases and the prominent, more independent use of wind instruments.
“This is a concert for those who love classical music and also for those who are just beginning to embrace its charms,” said Symphony Board President Judith Valles. “Of course, I am looking forward to the entire afternoon, but I think what I will be most excited to witness is the excitement of the first time concert-goers!”
SYMPHONY AT THE BOWL THIS SUMMER
The Symphony season will end with this concert, but the orchestra will still be busy throughout the summer, beginning June 30 at 8:15 p.m. with “76 Trombones and More” at the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival. Bowl concerts are always free and this season’s offerings include four symphonic concerts, as well as theater and a variety of other musical acts. More information about the Bowl season is available by calling (909) 793-7316.
89th SEASON BEGINS IN OCTOBER
The San Bernardino Symphony’s 89th consecutive season will begin October 7 at the historic California Theatre of the Performing Arts in downtown San Bernardino. The opening concert will include the Southern California premier of composer John Wineglass’s “Big Sur, The Night Sun” and will feature imagery by artist Simon Bull inspired by this new work. December 2, the Symphony will welcome Broadway stars Dale Kristen (Phantom of the Opera) and Bill Hutton (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat) to the stage for our annual holiday show. The February 10 concert will highlight American music with an emphasis on music from the films of Gene Kelly. March 24, opera great Rod Gilfrey will perform Mozart overtures and arias, as well as some popular pieces. The 89th season will close with a concert including Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” with the accompanying ballet, and a performance by the winner of the Symphony’s Youth Concerto Competition.
TICKET AVAILABILITY
Tickets may be purchased online at www.sanbernardinosymphony.org or by calling the box office at (909) 381-5388, and, with limited availability at the Theatre Box Office on the date of each event. Single ticket prices for the May 14 concert are $25, $40, $50, and $60, depending on seat location; students and military with ID are always $10. Contact the box office to obtain a new season brochure. All regular season concerts are performed at the historic California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 W. 4th Street, San Bernardino.
