Our yearly Holiday Concert is a wonderful opportunity to hear both the Associate Orchestra and the Senior Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Eylar. The Associate Orchestra will perform four works of astonishing variety and scope. Included are Suites from two of the most beloved French operas in history: Bizet’s Carmen and Gounod’s Faust. Keeping with a largely French ‘theme’, the orchestra will also play excerpts from Hector Berlioz’s epochal Symphonie fantastique. Our grand finale will be Fatum (Fate) by Tchaikovsky. This massive work was composed in 1868 by a young Tchaikovsky but he destroyed the score after a disastrous premiere performance: the composer Balakirev wrote to Tchaikovsky “there wasn’t much applause, probably because of the appalling cacophony. The seams show, as does all your clumsy stitching. The whole thing is completely uncoordinated.” In 1896, after Tchaikovsky’s death, the score was reconstructed from the original orchestral parts. One hundred and twenty-three years later, the work is now performed regularly: a testament to its flowing melodies and dramatic power. The Senior Orchestra is delighted to have a very unusual solo instrument playing with the orchestra: the euphonium. We feature Miss Natalie Colegrove from the senior orchestra performing Karl Jenkins Euphonium Concerto. As always, the Senior Orchestra will get you in the Holiday spirit with its selection of holiday favorites such as White Christmas, Deck the Halls, Joy to the World, and selections from the perennial favorite, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. There is something for everyone in this rich and varied festive event!
Leo Eylar, conductor
Natalie Colegrove, euphonium
This is a free event - our gift to you!
Associate Orchestra Concerto Competition Winner
Natalie Colegrove, age 16, is the winner of the annual California Youth Symphony Associate Orchestra Concerto Competition. She began her euphonium studies at age 11 and is currently studying with tubist Tony Clements...
Associate Orchestra Highlights
Bizet: Carmen, Suite 1
Gounod: Ballet Music from Faust
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, "March to the Scaffold"
Tchaikovsky: Fatum (Fate)
Senior Orchestra Highlights
Jenkins: Euphonium Concert, 2nd Mvt. (Natalie Colegrove, euphonium)
Plus Classical and Seasonal Favorites!
