A harmonic convergence occurred in October 2007 when two great music organizations – The Pasadena Symphony
and The Pasadena POPS – aligned to become one. Together with the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra, they are now called
The Orchestras of Pasadena.
Jorge Mester, Pasadena Symphony Music Director, and Rachael Worby, Pasadena POPS Music Director, have planned
what will be the most exciting concert season they have presented, one that will stir so many emotions that only great music
can.
Not only will audiences experience how music can tap their emotions, but it’s now easier than ever
to enjoy fine music, again performed at the historic Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
First, subscription ticket prices start at just $15, an unequalled price for a live concert in Southern California,
especially by such a world-class orchestra.
Second, concerts start a half-hour earlier, at 7:30 p.m., so music lovers may start or end their evenings
with The Orchestras by enjoying a delicious meal at any of dozens of nearby restaurants.
Season tickets for 2008-09 concerts are available now. Music lovers can get first choice for seats and can
orchestrate their own season of three, five or all eight concerts. Season ticket holders also enjoy a "family & friends
discount," which allows them to purchase extra tickets for the same discounted subscription price. And there’s no charge
if tickets need to be exchanged for another date.
The Pasadena Symphony puts the spotlight on Mexico’s great composers – Chávez, Nevin, and Revueltas
– with special guest Mariachi Champańa Nevín – for Opening Night on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008. Four other concerts
by The Symphony include favorites and rarely performed gems by Bartok, Brahms, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Berlioz, Shostakovich,
and DvoYák.
For the first time, The Pasadena POPS will take the Pasadena Civic Auditorium stage to present three holiday
concerts families will surely enjoy – The Most Wonderful Time of the Year in December, So In Love on Valentine’s
Day, and May the Road Rise to Meet You celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
Mester and The Symphony present Mexico’s classical repertoire as they open the 2008-09 season on Oct.
18 with Carlos Chávez’ Sinfonía India (Symphony No. 2), Jeff Nevin’s Concerto for Mariachi & Orchestra (Pasión
Mexicana) featuring Mariachi Champańa Nevín, and Silvestre Revueltas’ rousing La Noche de los Mayas. The Pasadena Showcase
House for the Arts sponsors this concert.
Audiences will be thrilled at virtuoso performances on Nov. 15 when Maestro Mester showcases The Symphony’s
musicians with Béla Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra, and Johannes Brahms’ deeply emotional, technically challenging
Piano Concerto No. 2, with guest artist Kirill Gerstein, the Russian pianist critics call "King of the Keys." This concert
is sponsored by The Women’s Committee of The Pasadena Symphony.
Music Director Rachael Worby and The Pasadena POPS begin their holiday offerings on Dec. 6 with The Most
Wonderful Time of the Year. From Ellington to Tchaikovsky, from Messiah to The Polar Express, from the traditions of Christmas
to the celebrations of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa – Maestra Worby and The POPS transport concertgoers to the wondrous world
of the holiday season with music of hope and stories of joy. Relive the magic of childhood as The POPS, the Pasadena Jazz
Institute, and a 100-voice chorus make this evening the most wonderful night of the year.
Mester and The Symphony begin 2009 with a rare opportunity to hear Richard Wagner’s acclaimed Overture
to Rienzi on Jan. 10, along with Ernö Dohnányi’s colorful, tuneful and imaginative Suite in F-Sharp Minor, and Pyotr
Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s orchestral observation of Fate, Symphony No. 4.
Love is in the air as Rachael Worby and The POPS charm their audience with songs from the heart, poems of
the soul and sweeping, romantic orchestral favorites on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009. From West Side Story come Tony and Maria,
from La Boheme come Mimi and Rudolfo, and from Shakespeare come Romeo and Juliet. It will be the perfect date night –
where else can sweethearts be serenaded with a full symphony orchestra?
On March 14, 2009, Jorge Mester and The Pasadena Symphony capture every emotional nuance of Hector Berlioz’
fiery, tender, wildly imaginative, and altogether enthralling Romeo & Juliet. The composer was deeply influenced by The
Bard, as well as Beethoven, and the result is considered one of Berlioz’ greatest works. The Concert Sponsor for March
14 is The Women’s Committee of The Pasadena Symphony.
Rachael Worby and The POPS wrap up their holiday musical celebrations on March 21, 2009, displaying Irish
pride with special guests, Cherish the Ladies, to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The Ladies sing, they kick up their heels,
out-stepping even Riverdance, and bring the luck and love of the Irish with them. When The Ladies take the stage, every foot
taps and every hand claps!
Jorge Mester and The Pasadena Symphony close the Civic season on April 18, 2009 with Antonin DvoYák’s
colorful Carnival Overture that bristles with energy, Alexander Glazunov’s lushly romantic, lyrical Violin Concerto
with guest artist Linda Wang, and Dmitri Shostakovich’s riveting and brilliant contemplation of mankind, Symphony No.
5.
The Women’s Committee of The Pasadena Symphony sponsors the final concert of the season.
For more information about The Orchestras of Pasadena, please call (626) 793-7172 or visit www.theorchestras.org.
