Oakland East Bay Symphony 2011-2012 Season Brochure

2011-2012 Season

“Michael Morgan is the Mad Hatter of symphony music directors, …

…creating wildly imaginative concerts where other more tradition-rooted directors fear to go.”

— Oakland Tribune

“The most fun-loving symphony in the country.” — Oakland Tribune

Great Subscriber Benefits • Big Savings – Up to 31% over cost of single tickets. It’s almost like getting a concert for free!

• Priority Seat Selection – Opportunity to renew early and upgrade before tickets go on sale to the public.

• Lost or forgot your tickets? We’ll replace

• Personal assistance from OEBS staff in buying additional tickets.

• Advance program notes and Symphony newsletter via e-mail.

• Invitations to special events hosted by Michael Morgan.

them at no charge.

• Can’t attend a concert? Only subscribers can exchange tickets for a future concert at no charge.

Free Talks Before Concerts Add to your enjoyment of the concert by attending an entertaining, informative talk beginning one hour before each subscription concert. Well-known Bay Area musician and speaker John Kendall Bailey will offer his insights into the music being performed, sometimes joined by a composer or artist involved in the evening’s program.

The Paramount Theatre, home of Oakland East Bay Symphony, is one of the finest, most admired examples of art deco design in the United States. Restored to its original splendor, meticulously maintained and fully upgraded to modern technical standards, the theatre is a National Historical Landmark. Located at Broadway and 21st Street in downtown Oakland, the Paramount is easily accessible by public transportation and by car.

BART: 19th Street Oakland station is just steps from the theatre.

AC Transit: Buses on the #51 and other lines stop across the street.

Parking: Covered parking lot adjacent to the theatre, as well as other parking facilities in the immediate area.

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Concert Sponsors

Media Sponsors

Hospitality Sponsor: Woodfin Hotel Emeryville Season Official Caterer: Devoted Catering by Amiee Alan The 2011-2012 season is supported in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, the Alameda County Arts Commission, the Oakland City Council, and the City of Oakland’s Cultural Funding Program.

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Friday, November 4, 8pm, Michael Morgan, conductor

Opening Night: New World A-Comin’ Duke Ellington – New World A-Comin’ (1945) George Gershwin – An American in Paris (1928) Leonard Bernstein – Symphony No. 2, “The Age of Anxiety” (1949, rev. 1965) with Sara Davis Buechner, piano

Alberto Ginastera – Estancia, Op. 8 (Ballet Suite; 1941)

Join us for Opening Night as we celebrate the rich, vibrant tradition of

Sara Davis Buechner

American music. We’ll start with the captivating swing of Duke Ellington’s hopeful, forward-looking New World A-Comin’. The bubbly exuberance of Gershwin’s American in Paris captures the delight and wonder of an American visitor taking in the sights and sounds of Paris for the first time.

We’re pleased to bring back the extraordinary pianist Sara Davis Buechner for a performance of Bernstein’s searching “Age of Anxiety,” an unusual symphony featuring solo piano. Sara’s powerful performance with OEBS in 2009 was a highlight of that season.

We’ll also pay tribute to our neighbors south of the border with Alberto Ginastera’s wildly popular Estancia, a lively work incorporating themes from Argentinean cowboy music.

(Suitable for children 10 and over.)

“[Buechner] played with fire and sparkle, her tone crisp and forceful.

The big crowd gave her a long, heartfelt standing ovation.”

— Buffalo News

Friday, January 27, 8pm, Michael Morgan, Lynne Morrow, Bryan Nies, conductors

Carmina Burana Carl Orff – Carmina Burana (1936) with Carrie Hennessey, soprano; Zachary Gordin, baritone; Brian Thorsett, tenor; Oakland Symphony Chorus (Lynne Morrow, Music Director); and members of Oakland Youth Orchestra (Bryan Nies, Principal Conductor)

Concerto tba – with winner of Young Artist Competition (held June 2011)

Few works have achieved the iconic status of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. It is one

of the most recognizable and frequently performed choral works in the Western classical tradition.

Based on a collection of medieval, secular Latin poetry discovered in 1803 at a Bavarian monastery, the text for Carmina Burana is often colorful, bawdy and humorous. The poems deal with love and sex, drinking and gambling, with the overall theme that in life and love, man is but a pawn of fate.

Our soloists in this spectacular piece are three rising stars in the opera world. We’ll also be joined by the Oakland Symphony Chorus and Oakland Youth Orchestra to celebrate the recent merger of our three organizations to form the newly created East Bay Performing Arts.

Carrie Hennessey

Zachary Gordin

(Suitable for children 10 and over.)

Brian Thorsett

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Friday, February 24, 8pm, Michael Morgan, conductor

Heroes & Giants Erwin Schulhoff – Suite for Chamber Orchestra (1920) Mieczyslaw Weinberg – Trumpet Concerto (1967) with William Harvey, trumpet

Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 3, “Eroica” (1804)

Our February concert features works by two of the brightest figures in a generation of European

musicians whose careers were prematurely terminated by the rise of the Nazi regime. Czech composer and pianist Erwin Schulhoff, who died in the Wülzburg concentration camp, was one of the first classical composers in Europe to be inspired by jazz. We’ll present his rarely performed Suite for Chamber Orchestra.

Mieczyslaw Weinberg had a remarkable life; he lost most of his family in the Holocaust but survived the torments of two brutal dictatorships himself.

He fled the German occupation of Poland in 1939, only to fall victim to Stalin’s post-war campaign against the Jews. He was released after years of imprisonment, and later created one of the finest trumpet concertos ever written. OEBS Principal Trumpet William Harvey is the featured soloist in this inspiring work.

Beethoven’s third Symphony, now known as the “Eroica”, was originally written in honor of Napoleon and titled “Bonaparte”. However, when William Harvey Napoleon declared himself Emperor in 1804, Beethoven was enraged and changed the name of his symphony. Besides the famous story of its rededication, the “Eroica” is known as one of Beethoven’s most challenging masterpieces – long, technically demanding and sublime.

(Suitable for children 10 and over.)

Friday, March 16, 8pm, Michael Morgan, conductor

Stops on the Orient Express Franz Schubert – Overture in C Major in the Italian Style (1817) Ned Rorem – Letters from Paris (1966) with Oakland Symphony Chorus (Lynne Morrow, Music Director)

Johannes Brahms – Violin Concerto (1878) with Andrew Sords, violin

Time Magazine has called Ned Rorem “the world’s best composer

of art songs.” Words and music are inextricably linked for this prolific Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer, whose musical and literary ventures include symphonies, operas, choral works and songs as well as books, diaries and essays. Rorem’s Letters from Paris combines the gently tonal music for which he is known with the witty slightly risqué texts for which he is equally famous.

Hailed as an “absolute wonder” by the Kansas City Star, Andrew Sords Andrew Sords is establishing himself as one of the preeminent new faces of classical violin. He makes his debut with OEBS playing one of the greatest concertos ever written, Brahms’ richly harmonic Violin Concerto.

We’ll open the program with Schubert’s delightful Overture in C Major, the more popular of the two overtures he wrote in the Italian style.

(Suitable for children 12 and over.)

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Friday, April 20, 8pm, Michael Morgan, conductor

Notes from the Philippines Antonín Dvorák – Cello Concerto (1895) with David Requiro, cello

Works by Filipino composers tba

Oakland native David Requiro has emerged as one of today’s most promising

young cellists. The first prize winner of numerous prestigious awards (including the Naumburg International Competition), Requiro makes his OEBS debut playing Dvorák’s Cello Concerto, written during the composer’s final year in New York.

One of Dvorák’s greatest masterpieces, the cello concerto is warm, lyrical and passionate. Dvorák’s friend and mentor, Johannes Brahms, who corrected the proofs and knew the work intimately, is reported to have said: “Why on earth didn’t I know that one could write a cello concerto like this? If I had only known, I would have written one long ago!”

Also on the program will be works by Filipino composers, including a new work by a Filipino jazz composer commissioned by OEBS.

David Requiro

(Suitable for children 10 and over.)

“Look for [Requiro] to be a musical leader of the future.”

— Oakland Tribune

Friday, May 18, 8pm, Michael Morgan, conductor

Season Finale: Do That Voodoo Daniel Bernard Roumain – Voodoo Violin Concerto (2002) with Daniel Bernard Roumain, violin

Taylor Eigsti – New work for Jazz Piano & Orchestra (World Premiere) with Taylor Eigsti, piano

Works with jazz vocalist Paula West

Get ready to hear the violin as you’ve never heard it before when Daniel

Daniel Bernard Roumain Bernard Roumain blends his Haitian roots with classical and techno textures and a vibrant musical imagination in Voodoo Violin Concerto.

Proving that he is “about as omnivorous as a contemporary artist gets” (New York Times), this innovative composer, performer and band leader has played everywhere from Carnegie Hall to American Idol, where he recently performed with Lady Gaga.

Bay Area native and musical prodigy Taylor Eigsti, now based in New York, returns home to present the World Premiere of a work he’s writing for jazz piano and orchestra. Recognized by critics internationally for his unique touch and Taylor Eigsti rhythmic control, Eigsti already has several best-selling CDs and two Grammy nominations under his belt at the age of 26.

Jazz vocalist Paula West, known for her heartfelt renditions of well-known standards and unique interpretations of dynamic jazz songs, will delight us with a set backed by the orchestra.

(Suitable for children 10 and over.)

Paula West

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Sunday, December 11, 2011, 4pm

Let Us Break Bread Together: A Holiday Celebration Michael Morgan, conductor

Featuring: Oakland East Bay Symphony, Oakland Symphony Chorus, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Mt. Eden High School Choir, Klezmer band Kugelplex…and a special guest appearance by Joan Baez!

There’s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than by coming to Let Us Break Bread Together, now a beloved Bay Area seasonal tradition. Join us for inspiring performances of gospel music, classical selections, holiday favorites and sing-alongs.

Joan Baez This year’s concert will feature a special guest appearance by legendary folk singer Joan Baez, who is delighted to be able to join us after having to withdraw from last year’s concert due to an injury. Bring some friends, bring the family or come on your own – you’re sure to have a great time!

Note: This concert is not part of the regular subscription series; tickets must be ordered separately.

(Suitable for children 4 and over.)

Five Ways to Order

By Mail

By Fax

Group Discounts

Oakland East Bay Symphony 2201 Broadway, Ste 300 Oakland, CA 94612

510-444-0863 (credit card only)

Groups of 10 or more get 20% off the regular ticket price. Call 510-836-1981 or email grouptix@oebs.org for details and help with your group order.

In Person Paramount Box Office 21st Street at Broadway, Oakland

Online Via secure server www.oebs.org

Summer hours effective Mon, May 30: Wed, 11am-5:30pm; Thurs-Sat, 11am-3pm; Closed Sun, Mon, Tues & Holidays.

By Phone Subscription Orders: 510-444-0801 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

Contact the Paramount Theatre for fall box office hours.

Single Ticket Orders: 800-745-3000 beginning October 1

Ticket Mail Dates The Box Office will begin mailing subscriptions in late September.

Single tickets will be mailed beginning October 8. $10 service charge on all subscription orders $12 service charge on all group orders.

Note: Programs subject to change.

Subscription Series Ticket Prices Section

Subscrip. Price Subscrip. Price Subscrip. Price Subscrip. Price Single Ticket Savings (6 concerts) (5 concerts) (4 concerts) (3 concerts) Concert

By Subscribing

UPSTAIRS Balcony Front Ltd Avail Balcony Middle, center Balcony Middle, sides Balcony Rear (Rows P-T) Balcony Rear (Rows U-Z)

$360 $234 $222 $132 $ 84

$300 $195 $185 $110 $ 70

$240 $156 $148 $ 88 $ 56

$180 $117 $111 $ 66 $ 42

$70 $50 $48 $32 $20

14% 22% 23% 31% 30%

DOWNSTAIRS

Orch Front (Rows A-C) Ltd Avail Orch Front, ctr (Rows D-P) Ltd Avail Orchestra Front, sides (Rows D-P) Orchestra Rear (Rows AA-MM) Orchestra Rear (Rows NN-VV)

$108 $300 $222 $156 $114

$ 90 $250 $185 $130 $ 95

$ 72 $200 $148 $104 $ 76

$ 54 $150 $111 $ 78 $ 57

$25 $60 $48 $35 $25

“Break Bread” Ticket Prices UPSTAIRS Balcony Front (Rows A-F) Balcony Middle (Rows G-O) Balcony Rear (Rows P-Z)

$45 $35 $20

DOWNSTAIRS Orchestra Front (Rows A-C) Orchestra Front (Rows D-P) Orchestra Rear (Rows AA-VV) Youth (under 18), all sections

$35 $45 $35 $15

28% 17% 23% 26% 24%

Visit www.paramounttheatre.com for detailed seating charts.

ny Balco

Rear,

Rows

U–Z

ear, ony R

Rows

Balc ear V R tra V Side hes NN– Orc Rows ear M R a tr M hes AA– Orc ows R

❑2

2. How many concerts do you want in your subscription?

❑3

❑4

❑6

❑5

t

y Fron

estra Orch Center t Fron ws D–P Ro

Order a Subscription ❑1

Side

Center

Balcon

Side

1. How many subscriptions do you want?

Balcony Middle

P–T

Side

Orchestra Front Rows A–C

❑ Other _____________ ❑4

❑3

3. Which concerts do you want to see? (Subscriptions are 3, 4, 5 or 6 concerts.) ❑ Friday, November 4, 8pm

❑ Friday, January 27, 8pm

❑ Friday, February 24, 8pm

❑ Friday, March 16, 8pm

❑ Friday, April 20, 8pm

❑ Friday, May 18, 8pm

4. What section do you want to sit in? ________________________________________________________ (Please use section names from the chart on the facing page.)

BE SURE to provide a 2nd choice if you choose a section with limited availability. _____________________ (You will receive a refund if you are given less expensive seats than you paid for.)

5. Total Your Subscription Amount: ________________________x $ _______________= $_____________ # of Subscriptions

(Refer to prices on the facing page.)

Cost of Subscription

Subscription Subtotal

Order Tickets to Specific Concerts Concert Date

Section

Ticket Price

# of Tickets

Total

❑ Fri, Nov 4, 8pm ____________________________________________ $ ___________________x____________ = $ _________________ ❑ Fri, Jan 27, 8pm ___________________________________________ $ ___________________x____________ = $ _________________ ❑ Fri, Feb 24, 8pm ___________________________________________ $ ___________________x____________ = $ _________________ ❑ Fri, Mar 16, 8pm ___________________________________________ $ ___________________x____________ = $ _________________ ❑ Fri, Apr 20, 8pm ___________________________________________ $ ___________________x____________ = $ _________________ ❑ Fri, May 18, 8pm ___________________________________________ $ ___________________x____________ = $ _________________

Break Bread

(Note special ticket prices on the facing page.) ❑ Sun, Dec 11, 4pm: Adult ____________________________________ $ ___________________x____________ = $ _________________ 15.00 ❑ Sun, Dec 11, 4pm: Youth ____________________________________ $ ___________________x____________ = $ _________________

Total Your Order Here

Single Ticket Subtotal = $ _________________ Subscription Subtotal = $ _________________ Contribution = $ _________________ 10.00 Handling Charge $ _________________

Payment

TOTAL PAYMENT $ _________________

Name______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City ___________________________________________________________________ State _______________ Zip____________________ Home Phone ____________________________________________ Work Phone________________________________________________ Email ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (So we can email you advance program notes & special offers.)

Payment by: ❑ Check, payable to Paramount Theatre OR Charge my ❑ VISA

❑ MC ❑ AMEX ❑ DISCOVER

Card # _____________________________________________________________ Exp. ______________ Verification Code _____________ (Required; last 3 digits in signature panel on back of card)

Name on Card ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If billing address is different from mailing address, please provide it below

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Return form to: Oakland East Bay Symphony, 2201 Broadway, Ste 300, Oakland, CA 94612 Fax: 510-444-0863 Order online: www.oebs.org

East Bay Performing Arts Oakland East Bay Symphony 2201 Broadway, Ste 300 Oakland, CA 94612

— Contra Costa Times

“Canny planning in programming is an acknowledged hallmark of the Morgan tenure, and that trademark blending of the edgy and unusual with stalwart standards.”

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