North State Symphony continues its “Better Together” season with “Rising Above,” a concert showcasing the orchestra in collaboration with soloists and sub-ensembles as they join forces to create a unique musical whole. The concerts on November 9th in Chico and November 10th in Redding also commemorate Carr and Camp Fire survivors and first responders in a musical tribute to the strength and resilience of our North State communities.
The program begins with Mendelsohn’s String Symphony No. 7, composed when he was just 13 and reflecting the strong influence of C.P.E. Bach. The orchestra is then joined by Chicago Symphony Orchestra Assistant Principal Clarinetist John Yeh – who began playing clarinet at age 6 and joined the CSO when he was just 19 – in a performance of Aaron Copland’s jazzy Clarinet Concerto. A unique and rarely performed “triple concerto” by living composer Maria Grenfell follows, the Concertino for Clarinet, Cello, Double Bass and String Orchestra, in which Mr. Yeh is joined by North State Symphony principal cellist, Carol Jacobsen, and principal double bass, Michael Schwegerus. The work is strongly influenced by poetic, literary and visual sources and from non-Western music and literature. The program concludes with Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams, who composed the work for a string orchestra divided into three ensembles: a full string orchestra, a smaller orchestra of nine players, and a string quartet for varying colors.
“This concert is about new beginnings, youthful energy, collaboration, and artistic inspiration” says Scott Seaton, Music Director and Conductor of North State Symphony. “A year after Carr and Camp, we’re honored to share this music in the concert hall in addition to participating in several community events commemorating the strength and resilience of North State residents.”
In Chico, the orchestra’s rehearsal will take place at the Museum of Northern California Art on Friday, November 8, 2-5pm, coinciding with their “Please Be Seated” art bench exhibit that reflects on a year ago (tickets $20). In Redding, North State Symphony musicians performed “Spring” from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and other chamber music at Shasta County Arts Council’s “Art From the Ashes – Seeds of Regrowth” Exhibition opening event on October 12th. The exhibition runs through November 15th, with fire-inspired art by local artists and high school students on sale and all proceeds benefiting wildfire recovery efforts at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.
“Rising Above” performances are Saturday, November 9th at 7:30pm at Laxson Auditorium in Chico, CA (tickets at the University Box Office or at chicostatetickets.com) and Sunday, September 10th at 2pm at the Cascade Theatre in Redding, CA (tickets at the Cascade Theatre Box Office or cascadetheatre.org). Tickets are free for Carr and Camp Fire survivors and first responders. A free pre-concert talk begins one hour before the performances.
In addition to single concert tickets, a mini Season Ticket package for this concert and the remaining two Masterworks series concerts (February and May) will be available for purchase prior to the performances.
Generous community support for North State Symphony is provided by Season Sponsor Dignity Health. In Redding, “Rising Above” is sponsored by David Dennis, and Scott Seaton’s appearance is sponsored by Rose Crain and Vern McHaney. In Chico, Mr. Yeh’s appearance is sponsored by Margaret Bomberg. A free pre-concert talk presented by Maestro Seaton and our guest artists begins one hour before the performances. The pre-concert talk in Chico is sponsored by Richard and Pat Macias.
North State Symphony (www.northstatesymphony.org) is a professional orchestra dedicated to achieving excellence in musical performance and educational opportunities, while engaging and shaping the cultural life of Northern California.
