A classical music website dedicated to Pacific Symphony
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….
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…
Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is one of, if not THE, most familiar pieces of music in history. With so much cultural awareness attached to it, a conductor is posed with an interesting puzzle: how do you make it come alive for an audience that’s heard it 1,000 times before?
If the apocalypse has a soundtrack, it’s “O Fortuna” from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana…
Sacred music takes as many forms as humanity has images of God. The majestic sovereign of Handel’s “Hallelujah” Chorus, the terrifying and wrathful god in the “Dies irae” of Verdi’s Requiem, the simple beauty of Bach’s “Sheep may safely graze”—all startlingly different from each other, and all capturing some facet of our perception of deity…
The history of the symphony orchestra is all about growth. As composers’ ideas and demands became bigger and more complex, so did the number and type of instruments required to bring them to life….
This season, we embark on a journey unlike any other. As we celebrate the remarkable 35-year legacy of Maestro Carl St.Clair, we honor not just a conductor, but a visionary who has woven his passion, heart, and soul into the very fabric of Pacific Symphony…
Since 2001, the Harry Potter films have enchanted audiences around the world. From epic midnight fan screenings and a huge impact on British tourism to iconic convention moments and more, the Harry Potter films created a cultural movement unlike any other. But none of that would be the same without the music that helped bring the magical world to life for moviegoers everywhere…
This season, one of the highlights of Pacific Symphony’s repertoire is Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 performed May 16-18 under the baton of Guest Conductor Tianyi Lu. The work is as stirring and evocative as the landscape of Finland itself. Interestingly, this quintessentially Finnish symphony was conceived under the warm Italian sun, a testament to how place and inspiration can transcend geographical boundaries….
As we gear up for another unforgettable performance with Pacific Symphony, we’re thrilled to introduce you to our guest conductor Tianyi Lu for the May 16-18 concerts featuring works of Beethoven and Sibelius.