The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
‘Celebrating Orchestral Favorites’
The Farmington Valley Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2018-19 season, its 38th, “Celebrating Orchestral Favorites.”
From the gorgeous music of Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty” to George Gershwin’s thrilling “An American in Paris,” the FVSO will present orchestral delights much beloved by players and audiences. The seven concerts will be conducted by Jonathan Brennand, who begins his fifth season as Music Director of the distinguished, 80-member all-volunteer orchestra. In response to many requests, two of the four classical concerts will have afternoon starting times.
Gershwin & Tchaikovsky, Oct. 27: The opening concert of the new season will take place at 4:30 pm on Saturday, Oct. 27, at the University of Hartford’s Millard Auditorium. The program will feature two well-known works for symphony orchestra, “An American in Paris” by Gershwin and “Symphony No. 4” by Tchaikovsky.
Family Holiday Pops, Dec. 8, 15: Due to popular demand, there will be two performances of the FVSO Holiday Pops Concerts in the Farmington Valley this season. Featuring Soprano Elizabeth Miller, the performances will be on Saturday, Dec. 8, 3:00 pm at Simsbury’s Eno Memorial Hall and on Saturday, Dec. 15, 3:00 pm at Porter Memorial Hall, Farmington. The hour-long program of familiar holiday music, presented without intermission, will be perfect for family members of all ages.
Tchaikovsky & Dvorak, Jan. 12: Returning to the FVSO for the third time on Saturday, Jan. 12, 4 p.m. at the University of St. Joseph’s Hoffman Auditorium, will be the exciting young cellist Leland Ko. The 20 year-old musician from Weston, MA, now studying at Princeton University, will perform the dramatic Dvorak “Cello Concerto in B Minor.” In his young career he has studied at the New England Conservatory of Music, the Perlman Music Program in New York and has toured across Europe. Also on the program will be the beautiful ballet music to “The Sleeping Beauty” by Tchaikovsky. Concert-goers are invited to a Complimentary Champagne Reception with hor d’ouvres, beginning at 3 p.m.
Wagner & Beethoven, March 9: The third classical concert of the season, 7:30 p.m on Saturday, Mar. 9 at the Hoffman Auditorium, University of St. Joseph, will offer two powerful works, “The Tannhauser Overture” by Wagner and the “Symphony No. 6 – Pastoral” by Beethoven.
Sibelius, Elgar & Brahms, May 11: Continuing its tradition of highlighting the achievements of young artists in the area, on Saturday, May 11, 7:30 pm at the Hoffman Auditorium, USJ, the FVSO will present the young cellist Lillian Yim, winner of the Hartford Teachers Alliance Concerto Competition She will perform the fourth movement of the Elgar “Cello Concerto.” The program will also feature two great pieces in the classical literature, “Finlandia” by Sibelius and the “Symphony No. 1” of Brahms.
The Music of John Williams - On the Lawn, June 9: The FVSO season will conclude with its Lawn Concert, Sunday, June 9, 6 p.m. on the grounds of First Church, Farmington. The program will feature favorites from the movie music of John Williams including “Jurassic Park,” “ET,” “Star Wars,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and more. Bring your picnic basket and lawn chair. Picnicking begins at 5 p.m.
Save money by becoming a Season Subscriber. New this season: children and young people age 17 and younger are admitted free to all performances. For more information with links to order tickets, go to the FVSO web site: www.fvso.org or call 800975-FVSO.