Reviews

The Monterey Symphony, under Ogren's leadership, continues to thrill audiences and fill the Sunset hall to capacity this season, so if you don't purchase tickets early you may be disappointed. The concerts often sell out and attract new ticketholders eager to experience Ogren's fresh and scintillating programs. Symphony president and CEO Nicola Reilly continues her smart, innovative leadership of the organization. She and her excellent staff design welcoming and creative ways to participate in Symphony offerings.

The March concert featured Beethoven's Violin Concerto and the return of stellar violinist Simone Porter who mesmerized with her liquid-fire playing and interpretive brilliance. Also showcased on this program was Jessie Montgomery's Soul Force, her powerful tribute to the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.  Ogren's generous Scandinavian infusion of Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite and Finlandia by Sibelius paired well with these two works.

Celebrating Women's History Month, Reilly and her crew produced another fun and raucous Women's Night Out before Saturday's concert. There was an astrological theme this year with adult beverages, dancing and rocking out with a lady DJ, a photographer for memories, tasty treats, surprises and smiles.

April's program features the genius of Mozart and Haydn, alongside German composer Franz Schreker's Chamber Symphony, described as an underrated emotional kaleidoscope of hyper-Romanticism, evocative of a musical culture in transition. Whew!