West Valley Symphony
55th Season
West Valley Symphony’s 55th Season features six performances:
November 12: Russian Reveries
December 17: The Spirit of the Season
January 14: Who’s on First Bas(s)?
February 4: Orchestra Bon Bons from Favorite Operas
March 3: How Suite It Is!
April 7: All Gershwin - By George!
November 12: Russian Reveries
The WVS begins the 2023-24 season with a stirring and emotionally charged program of great music from the Russian repertoire. Brilliant and energetic, Kabalevsky’s overture to his comic opera Colas Breugnon is full of sparkle and wit. Audience favorite, pianist Vladimir Khomyakov, will perform one of the best piano concertos of the 20th century and after the intermission, Rimsky-Korsakov will entertain you with stories from the master storyteller Scheherazade.
December 17: The Spirit of the Season
The West Valley Chorale, Ken Goodenberger conductor, joins our West Valley Symphony to provide delightful holiday music. Ken Goodenberger will also perform as vocal soloist and narrate a setting of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. The program will also feature an interesting arrangement of The 12 Days of Christmas as seen through the ages and musical styles.
January 14: Who’s on First Bas(s)?
The virtuoso soloist is rarely found playing the double bass, but Catalin Rotaru will demonstrate that he belongs in that elevated world of superstar performers. According to Abbott and Costello, the name of the 2nd baseman is “What”, the 3rd baseman is “I don’t know” but if there ever was a question about “Who’s on 1st Bas(s)?, you will know the answer after Maestro Rotaru performs.
The WVS will reach for the grease paint once again in an orchestral salute to 19th century opera. You don’t want to miss this one!
Jacques Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld
Amilcare Ponchielli: Dance of the Hours
Georges Bizet: Carmen Suite No. 2
Ruggero Leoncavallo: Intermezzo from I Pagliacci
Pietro Mascagni: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
Giacomo Puccini: Intermezzo from Manon Lescaut
Giuseppe Verdi: Triumphal March and Ballet from Aida
Gioachino Rossini: William Tell Overture
February 4: Orchestra Bon Bons from Favorite Operas
Whatever your favorite, Mendelssohn’s experiment with neoclassicism and later jazz, Ravel’s early initiation of the Romantic period using fresh lyrical melodies, or Stravinsky’s modernistic approach to rhythm, there’s something “suite” here for everyone!
March 3: How Suite It Is!
April 7: All Gershwin - By George!
The great American spirit lives on in the youthful presence of George Gershwin who was instrumental in establishing jazz as a musical medium that deserved to be heard in the concert hall. His major works are presented here and will always be fresh, original and memorable.