Concert Details
The Rio Hondo Symphony performs four admission free classical music concerts each season at the Vic Lopez Auditorium at Whittier High School, Whittier Ave. in Whittier California. The concerts start at 3 PM, have one intermission, and are completed before 5 PM.
Read Gerald Faris' review of our first concert of the 75th season here.
September 30, 2007 - "A Tchaikovsky Spectacular"
Celebration for an Orchestra - Williametta Spencer
This concert will mark the premiere performance of the work. It was commissioned by the Rio Hondo Symphony Association to celebrate its 75th Diamond Jubilee. The work will be performed at the beginning of each concert during the 2007-2008 season.
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
Tchaikovsky has been described as Russia’s greatest musical talent of the 19th century. His genius for what he called the “lyrical idea” gave his music a permanent appeal.
Waltz from Eugene Onegin
This sweeping waltz melody is typical of Tchaikovsky’s great skill and talent for dance music.
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor
Symphony No. 5 in E Minor
This symphony, which displays the composer’s great originality, includes various melodic ideas, all of which are present in Tchaikovsky’s customary bravado final-movement fashion.
November 4, 2007 - "Everyone's Favorites"
Celebration for an Orchestra - Williametta Spencer
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor - Bach-Stokowski
This work was made famous by Leopold Stokowski as an organ piece. The music, rich and dramatic, shows what Bach could have done with the modern orchestra.
Romance for Violin and Orchestra - Beethoven
This selection is a deceptively simple and lovely work classically formed by Beethoven, the master.
Lindsay Deutsch, Violin Soloist
Pines of Rome - Respighi
This orchestral tone picture evokes the regal entrance to Rome in the glorious time of the Roman Empire.
Fantasy on Porgy and Bess arranged by Alexander Courage - Gershwin
This Gershwin medley, arranged by Courage for violin and orchestra, should delight all Gershwin lovers.
Lindsay Deutsch, Violin Soloist
1812 Overture - Tchaikovsky
March 2, 2008 - "Cloud Nine"
Celebration for an Orchestra - Williametta Spencer
Serenade to Music - Vaughan Williams
This small, original composition shows Williams’ great love of music.
Symphony No. 9 - Beethoven
This monumental symphony challenges all the symphonic forms that preceded it. At that time the classical era moved to the new romantic era.
The last chorale movement, based on Schiller’s “Ode to Joy,” is a creation that had never been tried before.
Melissa McIntosh Landis - Soprano
Assisted by Chorale Bel Canto
April 13, 2008 - "75th Diamond Jubilee Finale"
Celebration for an Orchestra - Williametta Spencer
In the Steppes of Central Asia - Borodin
Borodin’s inspiration for this composition was the folk music of the central part of Asia.
The Firebird Suite (1919) - Stravinsky
The melodies of this major work for modern ballet of the 20th century are original, dramatic and lyrically beautiful.
Young Artists Competition Winners
Violin Concerto in D Major - Tchaikovsky
Anne Lee, Soloist, Strings category
Three Arias from Opera for Soprano and Orchestra
BrieAnne Welch, Soloist, Voice category
Chi il bel sogno from "La Rondine" by Puccini
Song to the Moon from "Rusalka" by Dvorak
Come Scoglio from "Cosi fan Tutte" by Mozart