Reviews

Monterey Symphony closes their 79th season this month with performances on May 17 at 7:30 p.m. and May 18 at 3 p.m. at Sunset Center.  Conductor Jayce Ogren says, "We close with one of the most beloved and powerful pieces of classical music, Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring the Monterey Symphony debut of star pianist Joyce Yang. I'm very honored to be sharing one of my own compositions, 'Intertidal,' inspired by the murmuration of shorebirds on the Pacific coast. The program will also feature our very own president and CEO, Nicola Reilly, as violin soloist on Tchaikovsky's 'Melodie,' as well as Respighi's dazzling works, 'The Fountains of Rome' and 'The Pines of Rome.'"

Pre-concert lectures take place with musicologist Christopher Anderson-Bazzoli on May 17 from  6:30-7 p.m. and with Ogren May 18 from 2-2:30 p.m. in the Sunset Center auditorium. These are free and open to the public. There will be a Saturday Night Talk Back with Ogren immediately following the concert, to which all ticket holders are welcome and can enjoy a complimentary glass of wine. On Sunday, the Symphony offers Lobby Sessions with Live Music before the concert, also free and open to the public.

The Symphony presents a one-time experience, "Overlapping Halos," on May 19 at 5 p.m. at Sunset Center as part of its commitment to music and healing. On the heels of a panel discussion about music and wellness at Tonkin House (in partnership with Montage Health Foundation), the organization is eager to present unique opportunities for people to connect deeply with music. As a new partner with Art Pharmacy, the Symphony is proud to present Edwin Huizinga, Deva Munay, and Damaris (Penny Vieregge), a collaboration that was born out of a desire to connect through sound, music and poetry during the isolation of the pandemic. The three artists began their commitment to this project under a flowering plum tree in Big Sur Canyon.

For tickets and more information on these two events, see montereysymphony.org or call 646-8511.