The Long Beach Symphony announced the lineup for its Classical and POPS! seasons yesterday, with opening night set for Saturday, October 10 and Saturday, October 17, as it continues to search for a new music director.
Notable guest conductors for this season include opening night’s Edwin Outwater of the San Francisco Symphony and director of Ontario’s Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. After performing last year, the Symphony extended an invitation for him to return.
“We enthusiastically welcome back Edwin Outwater to lead our Long Beach Symphony,” said Long Beach Symphony Executive Director Kelly Ruggirello in a statement. “Conductors at the level of Maestro Outwater enjoy making great music with our orchestra, and we enjoy listening and watching them.”
Outwater will host a master class for LBUSD high school students. His signature style is cross-disciplinary and crosses genres, including his directing of a summer series with the San Francisco Symphony, the nightclub-style performance titled Soundbox.
The classical series will begin with a pre-concert party at the Plaza of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Terrace Theater, according to a release. It will begin at 6:30PM with a 35-piece trombone ensemble performance, food and drinks. Outwater will give a pre-concert talk at 7:00PM with soloist Roger Wilkie and KUSC’s Rich Caparella.
Meanwhile, the opening night for the POPS! Series is set to begin on Saturday, October 17 at 8:00PM with a Halloween Symphony Spooktacular at the Long Beach Arena. Guest conductor Benjamin Rous will be leading popular melodies composed by John Williams, James Horner and Bernard Hermann. Patrons are expected to bring their own picnics and libations. Doors open to the POPS! Series at 6:30PM and the concert will begin at 8:00PM.
Tickets to both Long Beach Sympony series are $20 and available here: www.longbeachsymphony.org or 562.436.3203.
The Classical Season, beginning at 8:00PM each night, is as follows:
October 10, 2015 | Opening Night
Edwin Outwater, Conductor
Roger Wilkie, violin
Berlioz Roman Carnival Overture
Lalo Symphonie espagnole
Mussorgsky/Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition
November 14, 2015
Edward Cumming, Conductor
Heather Clark, flute
Bernstein Candide Overture
Foss Renaissance Concerto for flute and orchestra
Ticheli Radiant Voices
Gershwin An American in Paris
February 6, 2016
Benjamin Wallfisch, Conductor
Cécilia Tsan, cello
Saint-Saëns Bacchanale from his opera Samson et Delila
Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No. 1
Ravel Rapsodie espagnole
Ravel Alborada del gracioso (Morning Song of the Jester)
Ravel Boléro
March 5, 2016
Gemma New, Conductor
Elissa Johnston, soprano
Bach Overture to Orchestral Suite No. 4
Barber Knoxville: Summer of 1915
Mahler Symphony No. 4
April 30, 2016
Lucas Richman, Conductor
Marcia Dickstein, harp
Mozart Symphony No. 32
Handel Harp Concerto
Beethoven Symphony No. 3, “Eroica”
June 4, 2016
Eckart Preu, Conductor
Natasha Paremski, piano
Brahms Hungarian Dance No. 5
Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4
The POPS! Season, beginning at 8:00PM each night, is as follows:
October 17, 2015 – Halloween Symphony Spooktacular! – Benjamin Rous, conductor
An evening of haunting melodies that will include the works of John Williams, Bernard Hermann, Danny Elfman and some other scary surprises. Costumes encouraged.
December 19, 2015 – Holiday Swing with the Byron Stripling Trio – Damon Gupton, conductor
Expert virtuosic trumpet playing, raucous audience sing-alongs, and toe-tapping swing dancing as Byron Stripling brings celebratory orchestral arrangements this holiday season. Bring your dancing shoes.
February 20, 2016 – An Evening with Oleta Adams and David Benoit
Platinum recording artist, Oleta Adams joins contemporary jazz pianist and composer, David Benoit for an unforgettable orchestra event blending jazz, soul, and pop. Set to include, Oleta Adams’ signature hit, “Get Here” and some of Maestro Benoit’s favorite compositions.
March 19, 2016 – Broadway Blockbusters! – Sean O’Loughlin, Conductor
With Special Guest Star, Molly Ringwald
Broadways’ most beloved show tunes, with 80’s film icon and recording artist, Molly Ringwald making her Symphony debut.
May 14, 2016 – A Portrait of Paradise with HAPA – Matt Catingub, Conductor
A showcase of traditional and popular Hawaiian music featuring hypnotic guitar runs woven around clear vocals with immaculate harmonies, HAPA is often described as the “Sound of Maui.” Hula lessons included.
Above, left: photo courtesy of the Long Beach Symphony.