Enter the world of fairy tales and you’ll find yourself surrounded by rules. Don’t lie or no one will believe you when you tell the truth. Don’t tell someone you can spin gold into straw when you can’t. And if
The Many Tales of The Firebird
Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake: The Ballet That Won’t Stop Evolving
Why can’t we stop tinkering with Swan Lake? The traditional version of the ballet, set to Tchaikovsky’s tender, ravishing, dark and brooding score, tells the story of Odette, a beautiful princess cursed by an evil sorcerer to transform into a
Gabriela Montero Returns with Her Dazzling Latin Concerto
Improvisatory genius Gabriela Montero returns to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall to perform her own Piano Concerto No. 1, “Latin Concerto.” Having made her concerto debut at just eight years old, Montero has captivated audiences worldwide with her technical brilliance,
“Daphnis et Chloé”: A Masterpiece Forged in Disagreement
Maurice Ravel’s “Daphnis et Chloé” is a shimmering, monumental masterpiece, but its creation was anything but serene. Behind the lush harmonies and explosive climaxes lies a chaotic tale of clashing egos, artistic warfare, and a composer’s quiet revenge. Commissioned in
“Carmen”: The Scandalous Birth of a Classic
“Carmen,” George Bizet’s risqué tale of love, lust and murder, has a backstory worthy of its subject. One of the most beloved and popular operas in the world was born amid scandal, controversy, and a stubborn artistic vision that defied
“Scheherazade”: A Masterwork Inspired by 1,000 Stories—and a Heart Attack
With such a plain spoken title, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade (1888) has to be programmatic music, right? A retelling of stories from the Thousand and One Nights? Well, yes…and no. Richard Strauss, master of programmatic music, famously said “I could set
Sibelius’ First: Inner Turmoil and Romantic Sensibility
SIBELIUS: Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39 Sibelius, like Brahms, waited to finish his first symphony. His career was well underway when he tackled the challenge in his early 30s. And, like Brahms, he paid attention to the
A massive case of writer’s block finally smashed to bits.
Rachmaninoff wrote his Piano Concerto No. 2 after he recovered from a severe case of writer’s block. He dedicated the work to the doctor who had helped him to overcome his fears and depression.
An Interview with Robert Istad, Pacific Chorale’s Artistic Director
When Carl St.Clair and Pacific Symphony navigate their way through the dramatic terrain of Verdi’s Requiem June 5-8, they’ll be doing so with their long-time vocal partners, Pacific Chorale. Dr. Rob Istad, currently enjoying his eighth season at the Chorale’s helm, recently took some time to discuss his approach to the work: what it means to him, and how he prepares his singers….
Verdi’s Mighty Requiem
Requiem Masses have long served as a way for nations to mourn their public figures…. The best known of course is Verdi’s Requiem Mass, but which public figure was it meant to honor? Therein lies a tale…