Reviews

In a special collaboration of the Monterey Symphony and Carmel Music Society, pianist Orion Weiss will be the featured soloist in two concert programs this month. On Oct. 8, he opens the Carmel Music Society season with a program of works by Grieg, Schubert, Schumann and Ravel. His playing has been described as sensitive and technically dazzling, bewitching, full of intelligence, breathtaking and of astonishing depth. In less than a decade, he has achieved international acclaim and is heralded as an outstanding pianist of his generation. The following week, the Monterey Symphony opens its 72nd season, titled "Concert Grand," bringing this popular virtuoso for a return engagement to offer patrons his insightful interpretation of Tchaikovsky's "Piano Concerto No. 1." Maestro Max Bragado-Darman will also conduct Dvorák's ninth symphony "From the New World."

The Monterey Symphony presented its first "Season of the Piano" in 2012-13. Says Maestro Bragado, "Its success, the existence of such a vast and rich repertoire for piano and orchestra and our magnificent Hamburg Steinway, encouraged us to present 'Concert Grand, this year. The Monterey Symphony has invited artists who are already members of our family, such as Orion Weiss, Phillipe Bianconi, and Josu de Solaun, who was the winner of the famous Enescu Piano Competition." Two winners of the prestigious Santander Competition in 2015 make their Monterey Symphony debuts this season: South Korean-born David Jae-Weon Huh and Juan Perez Floristan.

In Program 2, (Nov. 18-19), Huh will perform as the soloist in Sergei Prokofiev's "Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 26." The program also includes Beethoven's beloved "Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral)". Program 3 (Feb. 17-18) features Josu de Solaun performing Camille Saint-Saens's "Piano Concerto No. 5." Also on this program will be Brahms's "Academic Festival Overture" and Robert Schumann's "Symphony No. 2."

Program 4 (March 17-18) brings audiences wall-to-wall Mozart, with the overture to the opera "Don Giovanni" and symphonies no. 1 and no. 41 ("Jupiter"). This concert will be led by guest conductor Connor Gray Covington. The program will also include a Mozart concerto and pianist, both to be announced. Program 5 (April 21-22) features Floristan in a performance of Johannes Brahms's "Piano Concerto No. 1." Also on this program will be Mendelssohn's glorious "Symphony No. 4, (Italian)."

Program 6 (May 19-20) brings back incomparable Phillipe Bianconi performing Franz Liszt's "Piano Concerto No. 2." He will also be featured in Manuel de Falla's lovely "Nights in the Gardens of Spain." Prokofiev's "Symphony No. 1" and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" complete this program. The Symphony is also offering a special holiday chamber music program showcasing concertmaster Christina Mok and the music of Piazzolla, Beethoven, Mozart, and the Hampton String Quartet's "What if Mozart wrote 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'!" The concert takes place Dec. 7 at All Saints Church. The Symphony's six-concert series begins Oct. 14-15.For single or full subscription tickets call (831) 646-8511 or check out the website at www.montereysymphony.org. All performances take place at Carmel's Sunset Center.