World Premiere by Award-Winning Composer Highlights May Streaming Programs
The popular PacificSymphony+ streaming concerts continue through May. Each week, the Thursdays @ 7 online concert draws an average of over 3,000, which is the sold-out capacity of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall! Each week the chat rooms on YouTube and Facebook are buzzing with lively color commentary as listeners share thoughts and impressions.
We appreciate hearing comments from audience members like “I miss Pacific Symphony concerts so much”…“so uplifting during these dreary days—can’t wait to hear them all live”…and “thank you for making this amazing content available!”
Because less musicians can fit onstage when socially distanced, Carl St.Clair is curating the PacificSymphony+ series to present repertoire for smaller chamber orchestra ensembles. He’s programmed works like Baroque concertos by Bach, wind ensemble pieces by Richard Strauss and Charles Gounod—not the usual fare you’d hear during the formal concert season.
Of particular interest during May will be the world premiere of “Alone Together” (performed twice: May 25 & May 27) by the multi-Emmy Award-winning composer John Christopher Wineglass. The work was co-commissioned by Pacific Symphony with three other California orchestras: Fresno Philharmonic, Monterey Symphony and San José Chamber Orchestra. The orchestras expressed a shared interest for new music that responds to the extraordinary nature of life during the pandemic. Wineglass’ responsive piece, titled “Alone Together,” runs approximately nine minutes, and feature strings and percussion.
A joint statement from Wineglass and Fresno Philharmonic conductor Rei Hotoda explains the impetus and intent of the new work:
“’Alone Together’ addresses the social issues we are all facing during this pandemic—from not being able to perform together to even the systemic racial disparities given a world stage due to shelter-in-place. Despite all the setbacks of our present limitations, we are moving forward. This work is allowing us to continue our work as performers—to never lose sight of just how important the arts are and have always been. By creating this work, we are providing a way to connect to one another which is so valuable and something most of us probably once took for granted. We may feel alone at this moment but we as four performing arts organizations are coming to move forward together as one.”
John received his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition with a minor in Viola Performance at The American University and later received his Master of Arts degree in Music Composition with an emphasis in Film Scoring for Motion Pictures, Television and Multi-Media at New York University, studying primarily with Justin Dello-Joio of the Juilliard School.
To review the PacificSymphony+ concerts streaming in May, click here.