Symphony of the Redwoods

Finnish composer Jean Sibelius was born on this day in 1865. Here is a video of his beautiful Violin Concerto in D Minor performed by Hilary Hahn with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.

Have you tried the latest fun music quiz on our website? https://www.symphonyoftheredwoods.org/quiz-index.php

This Day in Music History: December 2, 1883 Brahms' 3rd Symphony was premiered by the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. Here's a beautiful performance of its third movement, conducted by Leonard Bernstein. https://youtu.be/euZcUku9XiE

"Both musicians were cannily aware of the parallels between our present moment and the history of the sonata. The piece, perhaps the most well-known of Beethoven’s five cello sonatas, could be understood as a deliberate attempt to counteract encroaching darkness with a bit of light." Watch the video on this page to see Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax discuss Beethoven's Cello Sonata No. 3 and play a few excerpts. https://www.newyorker.com//yo-yo-ma-and-emanuel-ax-on-the-

NEW Symphony of the Redwoods calendars and jigsaw puzzles are available for purchase on our website! https://www.symphonyoftheredwoods.org/shop.php

This Day in Music History: October 29, 1787 Mozart's opera, "Don Giovanni," premiered at the National Theater of Bohemia in Prague. Here's a clip of the duet "La ci darem la mano," sung by Samuel Ramey (Don Giovanni) and Kathleen Battle (Zerlina) with Wiener Philharmoniker conducted by Herbert Von Karajan. https://youtu.be/GATj9h2vTSE

From Bizet to Ravel - Part 1 Episode 3 of Dr. Phillip Lenberg's Up Close and Classical podcast focuses on some of the most influential French composers of the late 19th century.

This Day in Music History: English composer Benjamin Britten was born on November 22, 1913. These Four Sea Interludes from his opera, "Peter Grimes," are perfect listening material for a dreary November day.

This Day in Music History: October 27, 1901 Claude Debussy's impressionist orchestral piece "Nocturnes" had its first complete performance. According to Debussy's introductory note to the piece, "The title "Nocturnes" is to be interpreted here in a general and, more particularly, in a decorative sense. Therefore, it is not meant to designate the usual form of the Nocturne, but rather all the various impressions and the special effects of light that the word suggests. 'Nuage...s' renders the immutable aspect of the sky and the slow, solemn motion of the clouds, fading away in grey tones lightly tinged with white. 'Fêtes' gives us the vibrating, dancing rhythm of the atmosphere with sudden flashes of light. There is also the episode of the procession (a dazzling fantastic vision), which passes through the festive scene and becomes merged in it. But the background remains resistantly the same: the festival with its blending of music and luminous dust participating in the cosmic rhythm. 'Sirènes' depicts the sea and its countless rhythms and presently, amongst the waves silvered by the moonlight, is heard the mysterious song of the Sirens as they laugh and pass on." See more

The second episode of the Up Close and Classical Podcast with Dr. Phillip Lenberg is now up on our website! Listen here: http://www.symphonyoftheredwoods.org/podcast.php

It's almost Halloween! Take our Spooky Fall Music Quiz here: http://www.symphonyoftheredwoods.org/quiz-index.php

It's not too late to listen to Symphony of the Redwoods President Eva von Bahr's recent appearance on KZYX - you can find it here: http://jukebox.kzyx.org/ Select "Music Without Borders or B-Vitamins," then Monday, October 19th 10:00am

Born on this day in 1874, American composer Charles Ives was known for his musical innovation. His works were unknown through most of his life, only becoming renowned in the few years before his death. In fact, his Symphony No. 2 did not premier until 50 years after its composition! https://youtu.be/ztLr3kaN4_c

Tune in to KZYX this morning at 10:00 to hear board president Eva von Bahr on B-Vitamins: Bach, the Baroque, and Beyond with Russel Piti! https://www.kzyx.org/pr/b-vitamins-bach-baroque-and-beyond

British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was born on this day in 1872. Here's a gorgeous rendition of his Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis. This was recorded in Gloucester Cathedral, the same location this piece premiered in 1910! Learn more about Ralph Vaughan Williams here: https://rvwsociety.com/short-biography/ https://youtu.be/ihx5LCF1yJY

Starting this month, Dr. Phillip Lenberg presents a new podcast, "Up Close and Classical." In cooperation with Ukiah Symphony, his lectures will cover music from both the Symphony of the Redwoods' and Ukiah Symphony's recent seasons. Dr. Lenberg presented the pre-concert lecture for Symphony of the Redwoods' Winter Concert to great acclaim, and he is now back in an online format to share more of his perspective on the classics. You can listen to the first episode here: http://www.symphonyoftheredwoods.org/podcast.php

The Symphony board is thrilled to welcome our newest member, Nathaniel Waletzko. A native of Chico, CA, Nathaniel has taken on the Fort Bragg Unified School District Band program like never before. Since moving here in 2018, his student group has grown from just a few to hundreds of children who, thanks to his guidance, get an understanding of the importance of music in our lives. We are looking forward to many years of collaboration with our youth and schools! Read Nathaniel's full bio here: http://www.symphonyoftheredwoods.org//Nathaniel_Waletzko.h

When it came to the premiere of his massive Ninth Symphony, Beethoven insisted on conducting. The orchestra hired another conductor, Michael Umlauf to stand alongside the composer. Umlauf told the performers to follow him and ignore Beethoven's directions. The symphony received rapturous applause which Beethoven could not hear. Legend has it that the young contralto Carolina Unger approached the maestro and turned him around to face the audience, to see the ovation.