George Li, piano

George Li, piano Thursday, March 4, 2021

ABOUT THE PROGRAM BEETHOVEN: EROICA VARIATIONS, OP. 35 Thursday, March 4, 2021, 7pm PST

VIRTUAL CONCERT

GEORGE LI, PIANO PROGRAM Ludwig van BEETHOVEN (1770–1827)

Eroica Variations, Op. 35 Introduction: Allegretto vivace Theme Variation 1 Variation 2 Variation 3 Variation 4 Variation 5 Variation 6 Variation 7 Variation 8 Variation 9 Variation 10 Variation 11 Variation 12 Variation 13 Variation 14 Variation 15 Finale alla Fuga

Piano Sonata in B minor, S. 178

Franz LISZT (1811-1886)

Lento assai – Allegro Energico Andante Sostenuto Allegro Energico www.opus3artists.com George Li appears courtesy of Warner Classics Listen to George Li’s album Tchaikovsky, Liszt here http://w.lnk.to/glt

The Philharmonic Society’s 2020-21 season is made possible through the generous support of Donna L. Kendall and the Donna L. Kendall Foundation Anonymous Howard and Judith Jelinek The Segerstrom Foundation

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Sam and Lyndie Ersan

Beethoven wanted these variations to be called the Prometheus variations since he had already used their famous theme in his Creatures of Prometheus ballet music. He even offered to pay the publishers to include the reference to Prometheus on the title page.

However immediately after composing these Op. 35 variations, Beethoven started working on the Eroica Symphony. The finale of this symphony consists of six variations on exactly the same theme. Once the Eroica Symphony had established its reputation, these piano variations became widely known as the Eroica Variations.

The main point of similarity between the two sets of variations is that in both Beethoven begins radically to change the nature of the variation form. His earlier variations start with a theme, which is varied a number of times with the theme returning at the end. Here Beethoven abandons this circular structure.

These variations are now journeys through many and varied musical landscapes. We never return to the beginning. By the end of the variations we are in an entirely new place.

Certainly the theme is still present, but more as a reassuring friend as the music becomes wilder and more astonishing.

The Op. 35 Variations are the longest and most substantial variations that Beethoven composed until he returned to the form in his later years. Written in the summer of 1802, they coincide with the great turmoil Beethoven experienced as he realised his deafness would only get worse. This provoked his astonishing determination to continue composing despite his deafness. His response was to compose, in addition to these Variations, a number of extraordinary orchestral works including the Second and Third Symphonies.

The delightfully simple opening using only the theme’s bass line continues for three variations.

Only then does the theme make a graceful entry with a full harmonic accompaniment.

There are three repeated notes which appear

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

both at the end of the first part of the tune and, more prominently, at the beginning of the second part. These three notes are part of the bass line that opens the work and are given due emphasis

by Beethoven. Thereafter they make frequent appearances throughout the work.

The journey begins, as most journeys do, in a mood of high spirits. The first few variations are brilliant and witty. By variation five which is played softly throughout, a more thoughtful mood has appeared. By variation eight with the left hand crossing over the right, we are in a new world of calm beauty. This does not last long and in variation thirteen an accidental in the treble sounds almost like a bird chirping. By variation fourteen which is in the minor key the whole structure of the work has begun to change. This austere variation has no repeats and leads into the Largo fifteenth variation where Beethoven’s improvisatory imagination takes over. This is by far the longest variation and the music is now open to almost any possibility. Finally the return of the theme signals the transition to the fugal finale.

After a lively journey the short fugue, derived from the bass line, concludes with three loud chords. The tempo slows as if to repeat the theme for one more time but in fact the music takes off for another variation. A series of magical trills gives the music an almost transcendental quality.

The theme does appear once more in a light hearted vein and with successive compressions of its phrases, it brings this extraordinary work to a boisterous conclusion.

—westcorkmusic.ie

LISZT: PIANO SONATA IN B MINOR, S.178 “This is nothing but sheer racket...it’s really awful,” wrote pianist Clara Schumann on first hearing Liszt’s B minor Sonata, dedicated to her husband Robert. The pre-eminent Viennese critic Eduard Hanslick couldn’t have agreed more. Blending high dudgeon with feigned condolence, he scornfully sneered: “whoever has heard that, and finds it beautiful, is beyond 3

ABOUT THE PROGRAM help.” Suffice it to say, Liszt’s piano sonata was not welcomed into the canon with open arms, but something more akin to raised pitchforks.

The problem may well have been that in writing this sonata, completed in 1853, Liszt was going “against brand.” Long known for his programmatic works—each with a story to tell, and thus a built-in framework for interpretation—Liszt had shocked many in the musical world by composing a piece of absolute music, a work based purely on the interplay of abstract musical ideas. His Sonata in B minor came across as an impenetrably dense musical hairball of intertwined motives, in a singlemovement format that seemed to combine the characteristics of both a sonata-form movement (exposition, development, recapitulation) and the four-movement layout of a complete sonata (sonata allegro, slow movement, scherzo, finale). In this he was undoubtedly influenced

by Schubert, whose Wanderer Fantasy with a similar unified design he had recently arranged in a version for piano and orchestra.

Binding Liszt’s sonata together is the process of thematic transformation, i.e., changing the character of musical themes while retaining their essential identity, their melodic outline.

The multiple personalities of the idée fixe theme in Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique is an early example, and Wagner’s use of leitmotif is a later development of the same technique. So to follow what Liszt is doing in this sonata, you need to follow the four major themes he is shape-shifting as it proceeds.

The first three are spelled out on the first page of the score. The work opens with a pair of slow, descending scales of an exotic stamp.

Then comes a forthright theme hammered out in double octaves beginning with a bold downward leap and ending with a diminished 7th arpeggio.

Finally, the bass gruffly growls out a rascally little motive down low, rife with repeated notes.

The transformations begin immediately as these three themes spawn passage after varied passage of keyboard textures, all motivically interlinked, until a solemn, chorale-like fourth theme of slowly rising melody notes arrives 4

over a pulsing carpet of sonorous chordal harmonies to complete the line-up.

In the course of this sonata the list of “transformations” seems limitless. The gruff growling theme of repeated notes is transformed, among other things, into a dreamily delicious, Liebestraum-like lyrical melody in the “slow movement” section. The bold theme in double octaves is tamed and brought to heel as the subject of an extended fugato in the following “scherzo.” And the chorale-like theme abandons its dignified “churchy” solemnity and acquires major rhetorical muscle, elbowing its way into your eardrums as an important protagonist in the piece. Meanwhile, the slow descending scales that opened the work recur as boundary markers delineating major sectional divisions.

Liszt’s B minor Sonata is now recognized as one of the most important keyboard compositions of the 19th century, and the very complexity of its structuring—the quality that caused so much antipathy at its first publication—is now the chief reason it is so widely admired.

—vanrecital.com

ABOUT THE ARTIST GEORGE LI, PIANO Praised by the Washington Post for combining “staggering technical prowess, a sense of command and depth of expression,” pianist George Li possesses an effortless grace, poised authority and brilliant virtuosity far beyond his years. Since winning the Silver Medal at the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition, Li has rapidly established a major international reputation and performs regularly with some of the world’s leading orchestras and conductors such as Dudamel, Gaffigan, Gergiev, Gimeno, Honeck, Orozco-Estrada, Petrenko, Robertson, Slatkin, Temirkanov, Tilson Thomas, Long Yu, and Xian Zhang.

Recent and upcoming concerto highlights include performances with the Los Angeles, New York, London, Rotterdam, Oslo, and St. Petersburg Philharmonics; the San Francisco, Tokyo, Frankfurt Radio, Sydney, and Montreal Symphonies; as well as the Philharmonia, DSO Berlin, and Orchestra National de Lyon. In the 2019–20 season, Mr. Li performed with the Baltimore, Fort Worth, and New Jersey symphony orchestras, as well as the Buffalo Philharmonic and National Arts Centre Orchestra. His eight-concert tour of Germany with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra included performances at the Berlin Philharmonie, Philharmonie am Gasteig Munich, and the Stuttgart Liederhalle. He frequently appears with Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra, including performances at the Paris Philharmonie, Luxembourg Philharmonie, New York’s Brooklyn Academy of Music, Graffenegg Festival, and in various venues throughout Russia.

An active chamber musician, Li has performed alongside Benjamin Beilman, Noah BendixBalgley, James Ehnes, Daniel Hope, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, and Kian Soltani. Li is an exclusive Warner Classics recording artist, with his debut recital album released in October 2017 which was recorded live from the Mariinsky. His second recording for the label features Liszt solo works and Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1, which was recorded live with Vasily Petrenko and the London Philharmonic, and was released in October 2019.

Li gave his first public performance at Boston’s Steinway Hall at the age of ten, and in 2011 performed for President Obama at the White House in an evening honoring Chancellor Angela Merkel. Among Li’s many prizes, he was the recipient of the 2016 Avery Fisher Career Grant, a recipient of the 2012 Gilmore Young Artist Award, and the First Prize winner of the 2010 Young Concert Artists International Auditions. He is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at the New England Conservatory, continuing to work with Wha Kyung Byun. When not playing piano, George is an avid reader and photographer, as well as a sports fanatic. www.georgelipianist.com

In recital, Li performs at venues including Carnegie Hall, Davies Hall in San Francisco, the Mariinsky Theatre, Elbphilharmonie, Munich’s Gasteig, the Louvre, Seoul Arts Center, Tokyo’s Asahi Hall and Musashino Hall, NCPA Beijing, Shanghai Poly Theater, and Amici della Musica Firenze, as well as appearances at major festivals including the Edinburgh International Festival, Verbier Festival, Ravinia Festival, Festival de Pâques in Aix-en-Provence Festival, and Montreux Festival.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

*PLEASE NOTE: All 2021 concerts will have virtual viewing options.

In-person opportunities will be announced on a concert by concert basis.

MARCH

APRIL

BROOKLYN RIDER

ASTOR PIAZZOLLA AT 100: A MUSICAL PORTRAIT

Thursday, March 11, 2021, 6pm PST Virtual Concert JACOBSEN: Three Miniatures for String Quartet SHAW: Schisma FRANK: Kanto Kechua #2 ESMAIL: Zeher (Poison) RAVEL: String Quartet in F major

Philippe Quint, violin Additional artists to be announced Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 8pm PST Part of the Eclectic Orange Series sponsored by Judith and Howard Jelinek Co-presented by Irvine Barclay Theatre Concert sponsored by Steven M. Sorenson MD Additional support provided by the Ibex Foundation

YEFIM BRONFMAN, PIANO

Multi-Grammy-nominated violinist Philippe Quint celebrates the centennial of tango legend Astor Piazzolla in a performance of music and dance.

BEETHOVEN: Sonata in D major, Op. 10, No. 3 DEBUSSY: Suite bergamasque BEETHOVEN: Sonata in F minor, Op. 57 (“Appassionata”)

ALISA WEILERSTEIN, CELLO AND INON BARNATAN, PIANO

Sunday, March 21, 2021, 3pm PST Virtual Concert

Thursday, April 8, 2021, 8pm PST Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall* Select Beethoven Cello Sonatas

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UPCOMING EVENTS BRENTANO QUARTET

Friday, April 9, 2021, 8pm PST Venue TBD* HAYDN: String Quartet No. 6 in D major, Op. 17 BARTÓK: String Quartet No. 5, Sz. 102 BRAHMS: String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 51

PINCHAS ZUKERMAN, VIOLIN WITH AMANDA FORSYTH, CELLO AND SHAI WOSNER, PIANO

MAY 2021 Laguna Beach Music Festival COUNTERPOINT Festival Artistic Director: Conrad Tao, piano Caleb Teicher, dancer Friday, May 14, 2021 Locations in Laguna Beach*

Duo program with music by Bach, Gershwin, etc.

Wednesday, April 21, 2021, 8pm PST Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall*

BEETHOVEN: Variations on ‘Ich bin der Schneider Kakadu’, Op 121a (“Kakadu Variations”) MOZART: Violin Sonata No. 21 in E minor, K. 304 FAURÉ: Élégie, Op. 24 BRAHMS: Scherzo in C minor from the F.A.E. Sonata (“Sonatensatz”) BRAHMS: Piano Trio No. 2 in C major, Op. 87

JEAN-YVES THIBAUDET, PIANO

2021 Laguna Beach Music Festival ITS BRILLIANCE ALMOST FRIGHTENED ME Festival Artistic Director: Conrad Tao, piano Saturday, May 15, 2021 Locations in Laguna Beach*

Laurence CRANE: Prelude No. 1 BERG: “Traumgekrönt” from Seven Early Songs SCHUBERT: “Gretchen am spinnrade” (Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel) Eric WUBBELS: gretchen am spinnrade Ruth Crawford SEEGER: String Quartet BEETHOVEN: String Quartet No. 16, Op. 135

Saturday, April 24, 2021, 8pm PST Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall* DEBUSSY: Préludes Books 1 and 2

2021 Laguna Beach Music Festival CHANGE THIS THREAD ON WHICH WE MOVE Festival Artistic Director: Conrad Tao, piano Sunday, May 16, 2021 Locations in Laguna Beach*

Caroline SHAW: Entr’acte (Westerlies arrangement) DEBUSSY: Violin Sonata in G minor GESUALDO: selected Madrigals Other works to be announced.

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UPCOMING EVENTS DANISH STRING QUARTET

JUNE

Grammy-nominated Danish String Quartet makes its second appearance in the 2020-21 season with a performance showcasing its players’ masterful technique and heartfelt expressivity. Program to be announced.

AUGUSTIN HADELICH, VIOLIN AND ORION WEISS, PIANO

Sunday, May 16, 2021, 3pm PST Samueli Theater*

SERGIO ASSAD, CLARICE ASSAD, AND THIRD COAST PERCUSSION

Sergio Assad, guitar Clarice Assad, piano/voice Third Coast Percussion Friday, May 28, 2021, 8pm PST Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall* In an exploration of global music traditions, legendary guitarist Sergio Assad, along with Clarice Assad’s spellbinding vocals and the rhythms of Grammy-winning Third Coast Percussion, will take audiences on a vast musical journey grounded in familiar stories.

Monday, June 14, 2021, 8pm PST Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall* BEETHOVEN: Violin Sonata No. 4 in A minor, Op. 23 DEBUSSY: Sonata in G minor, L. 140 COLL: Hyperlude No. 5 for Solo Violin YSAŸE: Sonata No. 6 in E major for Solo Violin BRAHMS: Sonata No. 2 in A major, Op. 100 DEBUSSY: L’isle joyeuse, L. 106 ADAMS: Road Movies

RENÉE FLEMING, SOPRANO

Thursday, June 17, 2021, 8pm PST Renée and Henry Segerstrom oncert Hall* In a rescheduled performance from the previous season, four-time Grammy winner and legendary soprano Renée Fleming appears in a program of beloved songs and arias.

TICKETS & INFORMATION 949.553.2422 | PHILHARMONICSOCIETY.ORG All artists, dates, times, venues, programs, and prices are subject to change.

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DONORS The Philharmonic Society of Orange County gratefully acknowledges the following donors for their generous support of the Fund for Music during the past twelve months. These contributions make up the difference between the income generated from ticket sales and the actual cost of bringing the world’s finest orchestras, soloists and chamber ensembles to Orange County and inspiring 100,000 K-12 students each year with quality music programs. Gifts range from $60 to more than $100,000, and each member of the Philharmonic Society plays a valuable role in furthering the mission of this organization.

YOUTH MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM SPONSORS The Crean Foundation • Chapman University The Davisson Family Fund For Youth Music Education • The William Gillespie Foundation Thomas J. Madracki Memorial Endowment • Orange County Community Foundation Pacific Life Foundation • Gail and Robert Sebring • U.S. Bank • Wells Fargo • Anonymous

SEASON SPONSORS Donna L. Kendall and the Donna L. Kendall Foundation Anonymous • Judith and Howard Jelinek • The Segerstrom Foundation • Sam and Lyndie Ersan

SERIES SPONSORS Sam B. and Lyndie Ersan, Laguna Chamber Music Series Dr. and Mrs. Howard Jelinek, Eclectic Orange Series

PHILHARMONIC CIRCLE ($100,000+) The Committees of the Philharmonic Society • Donna L. Kendall and the Donna L. Kendall Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Howard Jelinek • Philharmonic Foundation Barbara Roberts • Mr. and Mrs. Douglas H. Smith

MAESTRO CIRCLE ($50,000+) Sam B. and Lyndie Ersan • National Endowment for the Arts Gail and Robert Sebring • The Segerstrom Foundation

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE ($25,000+) Colburn Foundation • The Crean Foundation Mr. John D. Flemming and Mr. Mark Powell • Margaret M. Gates - in memory of family Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation • Steven M. Sorenson MD and the IBEX Foundation Ms. Dea Stanuszek • Anonymous

PRESIDENT’S CLUB ($10,000+) Pete and Sabra Bordas Mr. James J. Brophy Mr. Gary Capata Charitable Ventures of Orange County CIBC Kimberly Dwan Bernatz Mr. Warren G. Coy Richard Cullen and Robert Finnerty The Dirk Family

Karen and Don Evarts Hung Fan and Michael Feldman Mrs. Joanne C. Fernbach Walter Fidler Joan Halvajian Maralou and Jerry M. Harrington Milli and Jim Hill Valerie and Hans Imhof Mr. Wesley Kruse

Helen and Fritz Lin Haydee and Carlos A. Mollura The Isidore & Penny Myers Foundation Elaine and Carl Neuss Pacific Life Foundation Lauren and Richard Packard Mr. and Mrs. William F. Podlich

Richard and Deborah Polonsky Dr. and Mrs. Chase Roh The Shillman Foundation South Coast Plaza Mr. and Mrs. David Troob U.S. Bank Mr. Stephen Amendt Dr. Gayle Widyolar

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DONORS PLATINUM BATON ($6,000+) Dr. and Mrs. Richard D. Catherine Frandsen & Campbell Co., Inc Marjorie and Roger Davisson (d.b.a. Max Mara)

Richard Goodman Gary and Betsy Jenkins Carolyn and Bill Klein

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Kohl

GOLDEN BATON ($3,000+) Mr. and Mrs. James Alexiou Argyros Family Foundation Diane and John Chimo Arnold John W. Benecke and Lee Marino Suzanne and David Chonette Marjorie Davis Mr. Roger Duplessis Frome Family Foundation The William Gillespie Foundation

Marcia Kay and Ron Radelet Elizabeth Reinhold Mr. and Mrs. James G. Reynolds Mr. and Mrs. Philip E. Ridout Ms. Harriet Roop Mr. and Mrs. David Seigle Ellen and Vasily I. Semeniuta Dr. Emmanuel Sharef Richard and Elizabeth Steele Endowment Fund Diane and Michael Stephens

Dr. and Mrs. David Stephenson Wells Fargo Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Fritz C. Westerhout Bobbitt and Bill Williams

Helen Dell-Imagine Dr. and Mrs. Sidney A. Field Dan Folwell Mr. and Mrs. Donald French Petrina Friede Mr. and Mrs. Philip Friedel JoAnn and Peter Fuerbringer Mr. and Mrs. Philip Gold Dr. Anna Gonosova Mr. and Mrs. Michael S. Gordon Shell Grossman Mr. Robert Hall Ellen Pickler Harris and Ron Harris Sigrid Hecht

Anne Johnson - in memory of Tom Dr. and Mrs. Tae S. Kim Hank and Bonnie Landsberg Vicki and Richard Lee Mr. and Mrs. Richard Malcolm Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Mastrangelo Elizabeth and John Middleton Pat and Ken Morgan Morgan Stanley Stephanie and Don Harrell Mr. Carl Neisser Richard and Dot Nelson Marlene and Chris Nielsen Susan Qaqundah

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Rados Mr. and Mrs. Glen L. Reeves Eva and Fred Schneider Dr. and Mrs. Henry Sobel Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence S. Spitz Walter and Masami Stahr Ann Stephens Dr. Nancy E. Van Deusen Kathryn and David Wopschall Anonymous

Ms. Arlene Holtzman Jean and Shingchi Hsu Dr. and Mrs. Kevin Ivey Ms. Sumie Jossi Kari Kerr Dr. Nancy L. Kidder Barbara Klein Lauren Klein Ms. Barbara Macgillivray Katharine Mallin Dr. Lani Martin and Mr. Dave Martin Elizabeth Morse Music 4 Kids

Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Niedringhaus Dr. and Mrs. Eliezer Nussbaum Mr. and Mrs. Michael Pinto Ms. Janet Portolan and Ms. Lois Powers Mr. and Mrs. John Prange Mr. and Mrs. Tom Rapport Les Redpath Richard and Diane Reynolds Christa Schar Carol Schwab Ms. Barbara Sentell

Ms. Diane Stovall Robert A. and Sandra E. Teitsworth Mr. and Mrs. Scott Theodorson Dr. and Mrs. Harvey S. Triebwasser Sally Westrom Dag Wilkinson and Caroline Beeson Ivy Yan Joanne Yoon Katharine and Robert Young Anonymous

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Greenwood Elizabeth F. Hayward and Robert M. Carmichael Ms. Elizabeth Jones Cheryl Hill Oakes Orange County Community Foundation The Robert J. and Doreen D. Marshall Fund Mr. Patrick Paddon Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Phillips Chris Quilter

SILVER BATON ($1,200+) Dr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Abbott Dr. Donald Abrahm David and Frances Nitta Barnes Ada and Berislav Bosnjak Charitable Fund Dr. and Mrs. David Casey Mrs. Linda Lipman Cassuto Dr. and Mrs. Shigeru Chino Mr. and Mrs. Stewart A. Clark Mr. and Mrs. Robert Clemmer Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles Dr. Frank A. D’Accone

CONCERTO ($600+) Janet Lee Aengst Mr. and Mrs. Nicolaos Alexopoulos Kevin and Roan Alombro Brien Amspoker and Ellen Breitman Eric S. Blum Mr. James Carter Mrs. V. de Reynal Mr. and Mrs. David Erikson Mrs. John Felder Ms. Barbara Hamkalo Mr. and Mrs. Jon Hartmann Dr. Daniel E. Haspert and Mr. Gerard Curtin

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DONORS SONATA ($300+) Richard Alexander Arts Orange County Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Bauer Marianne and Frank Beaz Dr. Ruth Benca Richard Bigelow Ms. Michelle Brenner Mr. Scott Brinkerhoff Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Buccella Mr. and Mrs. Tyke Camaras Mary E. Chelius Mr. and Mrs. Wil Chong Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Collier Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Compton Peter Conlon and Deborah Shaw Susan and Kevin Daly Reuben H. Fleet Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Fowler Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gibson Dr. Alan L. Goldin Dr. and Mrs. Mark W. Gow Bonnie and William S. Hall Terry Hanna Mr. and Mrs. Howard C. Hay Christian Heffelman The Bryant Henry Family Mrs. Marlene Hewitt Ms. Grace Holdaway Barbara and Don Howland Eric Jao Elizabeth M. and Donald P. Johnson Albert C. Johnston III Dr. Burton L. Karson Patty Kiraly Dr. and Mrs. William P. Klein Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Kriz Dr. and Mrs. Gary Lawrence Dr. and Mrs. Craig Leonard Elsie M. Little

Kevin and Iryna Kwan Loucks Louise and John Ludutsky Ms. Bethany Mendenhall Dr. Kevin O’Grady and Mrs. Nella Webster O’Grady Cathy Olinger Mr. and Mrs. Gus Ordonez Coralie Prince Mrs. Margaret Richley Peter Ridley Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ringwalt Dr. Stephen Rochford Dr. and Mrs. Stephen G. Romansky Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Rosenblum Mr. Kenneth Rudolf Mrs. Merilyn Sandahl Suzanne Sandmeyer and Wes Hatfield Mr. Paul A. Schmidhauser and Ms. Cindy R. Hughes Hon. and Mrs. James Selna Dr. James Shelburne Sharon Silcock Ms. Dorothy J. Solinger Dr. Agnes Szekeres David and Lois Tingler Tisbest Philanthropy Edie Tonkon Marjorie Tussing Cory Winter Victor Wu Mr. and Mrs. Robert Yates Ms. Daren Zumberge

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS Frieda Belinfante in memoriam

Douglas T. Burch, Jr. in memoriam

Jane K. Grier John M. Rau

List current as of January 29, 2021 The Philharmonic Society deeply appreciates the support of its sponsors and donors, and makes every effort to ensure accurate and appropriate recognition. Contact the Development Department at (949) 553-2422, ext. 233, to make us aware of any error or omission in the foregoing list.

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DONORS DONORS TO THE PHILHARMONIC FORWARD CAMPAIGN The Philharmonic Society’s campaign is the first of its kind in the organization’s history. It will grow the Society’s endowment—providing greater opportunities for the presentation of the world’s leading orchestras and other musical performances while expanding our educational and community outreach—and also establish a current needs fund for organizational sustainability and flexibility. We are proud to recognize those who are helping secure the Society’s future with a gift to the Philharmonic Forward Campaign. We are grateful for their support, which will help fuel the Society’s growth and provide a legacy of incomparable music and superb music education programs in perpetuity.

$1,000,000+ Mr. James J. Brophy Donna L. Kendall and the Donna L. Kendall Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sebring Anonymous

$500,000+ Richard Cullen and Robert Finnerty James and Judy Freimuth

$250,000+ The Davisson Family Fund for Youth Music Education Margaret M. Gates—In memory of family Mr. and Mrs. Milton S. Grier, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Douglas H. Smith

$100,000+ Pete and Sabra Bordas David and Suzanne Chonette Karen and Don Evarts Milli and Jim Hill Marlene and Chris Nielsen Richard and Deborah Polonsky Diane and Michael Stephens Anonymous

$50,000+ Mr. Douglas T. Burch, Jr.* Dr. and Mrs. Richard D. Campbell Erika E. Faust* Mrs. Joanne C. Fernbach Joan Halvajian Elaine and Carl Neuss Marcia Kay Radelet Mr. and Mrs. Philip E. Ridout Ms. Dea Stanuszek Dr. Daniel and Jeule Stein

$25,000+ Mr. William P. Conlin* and Mrs. Laila Conlin Mr. and Mrs. Donald French Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fuerbringer Mr. and Mrs. Noel Hamilton Dr. and Mrs. Chase Roh

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Mastrangelo Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Michel Charles Mosmann Carl Neisser Joan Rehnborg Dr. and Mrs. Henry Sobel Dr. and Mrs. Julio Taleisnik Marti and Walter Unger Gayle Widyolar, M.D. Sandi Wright-Cordes U.S. Bank Anonymous

Up to $24,999 Eleanor and Jim Anderson John W. Benecke *Deceased Mr. and Mrs. Jim Burra Ana and Ron Dufault Hung Fan and Michael Feldman First American Trust Kimberly Dwan Bernatz Mr. John D. Flemming and Mr. Mark Powell Duke Funderburke Carolyn and John Garrett Karin Easter Gurwell Maralou and Jerry M. Harrington Mrs. Alice E. Hood Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee Marina Windjammer Group Judith and Kevin Ivey Ms. Lula Belle Jenkins Doris and Jim Kollias Mrs. Elizabeth C. Kramer Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Madracki

LEAVE A LEGACY Estate gifts allow our long-time subscribers and donors to leave an enduring legacy that helps ensure the long-term financial strength of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. Please consider including us in your will, as either a percentage of your estate or a fixed amount.

Doing so will support our commitment of presenting world-class programming and music education that enriches the cultural life of Orange County for generations to come. For more information, please contact 949.553.2422, ext. 233, or email Support@PhilharmonicSociety.org.

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DONORS LEGACY CIRCLE MEMBERS Mr. and Mrs. James Alexiou Dr. and Mrs. Julio Aljure Diane and John Chimo Arnold Estate of Edra E. Brophy* Mr. James J. Brophy Mr. Douglas T. Burch, Jr.* Mr. William P. Conlin* and Mrs. Laila Conlin Pamela Courtial* Mr. Warren G. Coy Richard Cullen and Robert Finnerty Mr. Ben Dolson* Camille and Eric Durand Trust* Karen and Don Evarts Erika E. Faust* James and Judy Freimuth Ms. Carol Frobish*

The William Gillespie Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Milton S. Grier, Jr. Mr. Edward Halvajian* Ms. Joan Halvajian Ms. Marie Hiebsch* Mr. and Mrs. James R. Hill Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Hull Mr. Leonard Jaffe Judith and Howard Jelinek Dr. Burton L. Karson Donna L. Kendall Hank and Bonnie Landsberg Mrs. Carla Liggett Dr. William Lycette Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Michel Mr. and Mrs. Bart Morrow Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Nadler Eva Cebulski Olivier

Mrs. Frank M. Posch* Marcia Kay Radelet Marjorie Rawlins* Mrs. Ladislaw Reday* Elaine M. Redfield* Mr. Richard M. Reinsch* Mr. and Mrs. Stephen L. Salyer Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sebring Mr. H. Russell Smith* Ms. Dea Stanuszek Diane and Michael Stephens Vas Nunes Family Trust* Betty M. Williams* Anonymous

*Deceased Bold type indicates gifts of $50,000 or more.

Please call the Philharmonic Society Development Department if you have included either the Philharmonic Society or the separate Philharmonic Foundation in your will or trust so that we may honor you as a member of the Legacy Circle. For more information, call (949) 553-2422, ext. 233, or visit: www.PhilharmonicSociety.org/SupportUs and click on Planned Giving.

ESTERHAZY PATRONS The Philharmonic Society is proud to recognize our dedicated patrons who have made a multi-year Esterhazy Patron pledge. We are grateful for their support, which has been largely responsible for enabling us to present the world’s most acclaimed symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles and soloists.

Mr. and Mrs. James Alexiou Mr. and Mrs. Darrel Anderson A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation Mr. Gary N. Babick Ms. Tricia Babick Mrs. Alan Beimfohr Mr. and Mrs. John Carson Cheng Family Foundation Mrs. William P. Conlin Mr. Warren G. Coy Marjorie and Roger Davisson Mr. and Mrs. Jack Delman The Dirk Family Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Duma Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Emery Catherine Emmi Sam and Lyndie Ersan

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Freedland Margaret M. Gates—In memory of family Mr. William J. Gillespie Mr. and Mrs. Milton S. Grier, Jr. Maralou and Jerry M. Harrington Dr. and Mrs. Howard J. Jelinek Mr. and Mrs. Mark Chapin Johnson Drs. Siret and Jaak Jurison Donna L. Kendall Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Venelin Khristov Mr. and Mrs. Roger Kirwan Capt. Steve Lutz and Shala Shashani Lutz Professor Robert and Dr. Adeline Yen Mah

Mrs. Michael McNalley Drs. Vahe and Armine Meghrouni Mrs. Michael D. Nadler Elaine and Carl Neuss Mr. Thomas Nielsen Milena and Milan Panic Helen Reinsch Barbara Roberts Mrs. Michelle Rohé Mr. and Mrs. Stephen L. Salyer Elizabeth Segerstrom Mr. and Mrs. Douglas H. Smith Mrs. Eugenia D. Thompson Mrs. Elaine Weinberg Mr. and Mrs. George Wentworth Bobbitt and Bill Williams Anonymous

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Donna L. Kendall Chairman, CEO John Flemming Vice Chairman

Sabra Bordas Vice Chairman

Kimberly Dwan Bernatz Immediate Past Chairman

Stephen Amendt Secretary/Treasurer

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE John W. Benecke Development

JoAnn Fuerbringer Orange County Youth Symphony

Elaine P. Neuss Artistic and Marketing

Sabra Bordas Nominating

Jane K. Grier Member at Large

Douglas H. Smith Foundation

Hung Fan Laguna Beach Music Festival

Jean Felder President, The Committees

Jim Brophy

Margaret M. Gates

David Troob

Gary Capata

Wesley Kruse

Kim Weddon

Joanne C. Fernbach

Barbara Roberts

Kathryn Wopschall

PRESIDENT AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Tommy Phillips 14

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS Jean Hsu Chief Operating Officer / Vice President of Communications Marie Songco-Torres Senior Marketing & Public Relations Manager Jennifer Niedringhaus Marketing & Public Relations Associate

DEVELOPMENT Halim Kim Senior Director of Development Kevin Kwan Loucks Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships Katie Lockie Development Coordinator

ARTISTIC OPERATIONS Kathy Smith Piano Technician

FINANCE Roan Alombro Vice President of Finance Jessica Cho Finance Associate / HR Administrator

PATRON SERVICES Jonathan Mariott Director of Patron Services Angelica Nicolas Marketing & Patron Services Associate Randy Polevoi Musical Concierge

ORANGE COUNTY YOUTH SYMPHONY Johannes Müller Stosch Music Director & Conductor Cathy Olinger General Manager & OCYSE Conductor Danielle Culhane Operations & Personnel Manager

EDUCATION

Sarah Little Vice President of Education & Community Engagement Heather Cromleigh Director of Volunteer & Education Services / Board Liaison

Moni Simeonov Coordinator of Strings Mathieu Girardet Coordinator of Winds Tristan Chilvers Assistant Manager & Librarian

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THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY OF ORANGE COUNTY ABOUT US Founded in 1954 as Orange County’s first music organization, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County presents national and international performances of the highest quality and provides dynamic and innovative music education programs for individuals of all ages to enhance the lives of Orange County audiences through music.

For more than 65 years the Philharmonic Society has evolved and grown with the county’s changing landscape, presenting artists and orchestras who set the standard for artistic achievement from Itzhak Perlman, Gustavo Dudamel, Yo-Yo Ma, and Renée Fleming to the Berlin Philharmonic, Vienna Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and many others. In addition, the Philharmonic Society celebrates multi-disciplinary performances under its Eclectic Orange brand and embraces music from a wide range of countries with its World Music performances. Its celebrated family concerts introduce children to classical music with creative and inspiring performances, instilling music appreciation for future generations.

The Philharmonic Society’s nationally recognized Youth Music Education Programs, offered free of charge, engage more than 100,000 students annually through curriculum-based music education programs that aim to inspire, expand imaginations, and encourage learning at all levels. These programs are made possible by the Committees of the Philharmonic Society comprised of 700 volunteer members who provide more than 90,000 hours of in-kind service each year.

As a key youth program, the exceptional Orange County Youth Symphony and String Ensemble provide top-tier training to the area’s most talented young musicians through multi-level ensemble instruction, leadership training, touring opportunities, challenging professional repertoire, and performances in world-class venues. The Philharmonic Society also promotes life-long learning by connecting with colleges and universities to conduct masterclasses and workshops and providing pre-concert lectures to introduce audiences to program selections.

949.553.2422 | PHILHARMONICSOCIETY.ORG

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