Reviews

Ok, music fans, grab your calendars and pens.  Concerts are blooming in May.

Jayce Ogren leads the Monterey Symphony in the last of four programs in its 2022 music director search series.   Ogren will be competing with three conductors, each of whom has led the orchestra in recent months.  Like the other candidates, Ogren has prepared musical fare that will be presented twice for Symphony audiences at Carmel's Sunset Center.  On Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15, he will lead the ensemble in music by Debussy, Schumann, Lutoslawski, and Rachmaninoff.

"I love the shape of this program, from the delicate opening notes of Debussy's 'Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun' to the open-hearted finale by Rachmaninoff," says Ogren.  "The program's passion and sweep will be transformative for our audience as well as for all of us on stage."

French pianist Philippe Bianconi, well known to Symphony audiences, joins the orchestra for the fifth time as the soloist for two works on the program: Schumann's "Introduction and Allegro Appassionato" and Lutoslawski's "Paganini Variations."

Ogren, who has a reputation as one of the most innovative and versatile conductors of his generation, began his career as assistant conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra and music director of the Cleveland Youth Orchestra, concurrent positions he held from 2006-2009.

He has since conducted prominent orchestras such as the BBC Symphony, Boston Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphonies, and the St.  Paul Chamber Orchestra.  He led the world premieres of Rufus Wainwright's Prima Donna in New York and Paris and in recent seasons has conducted operas by Rossini, Benjamin Britten, Leonard Bernstein and Mozart.

As a cross-collaborator, Ogren has led Basil Twist's Rite of Spring at Lincoln Center's White Light Festival and all-Stravinsky programs with the New York City Ballet and participated in Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival and European festivals.

"I'm honored to have the opportunity to conduct the Monterey Symphony," he says. "From family visits as a child to my Big Sur International Marathon finish a few years ago, I have a deep appreciation for the beauty and magic of Monterey County. I can't wait to meet the Symphony and to learn more about this vibrant community."

Bianconi has been described as an artist of extraordinary musicianship with a poetic sensibility and superb musical technique.  A soloist with the world's finest orchestras, he recently concluded his tenure as director of the American Conservatory at Fontainebleau, a post he held between 2013-2017 that cemented his reputation as a distinguished artist of his generation.

For tickets to this weekend's performances and policies regarding COVID-19, see www.montereysymphony.org or call 831-646-8511.