May 12, 2023
More Timpani! William Walton’s Symphony No. 1 features not one but two sets of timpani—a first for timpanist Alex Orfaly in his career with California Symphony. Donato says you’re really looking forward to FRESH INSPIRATIONS because Walton’s Symphony No. 1 features two sets of timpani and two timpanists, and because you’ve never played this piece
April 3, 2023
Hector Berlioz (1803–1869) Roman Carnival Overture, Op. 9 (1844) Hector Berlioz never met an applecart he didn’t want to upset, or an envelope he didn’t want to stretch. It was simply not in his nature to kowtow to prevailing fashion or to acquiesce to the dictates of the proletariat. Nor was he just some obnoxious
March 6, 2023
Who knew the triangle could be so expressive? Leave it to percussionist Victor Avdienko to navigate the triangle-a-thon in Rott’s Symphony No. 1 on the upcoming MAHLER’S INNER CIRCLE concerts. We can only agree that “We gotta fever… For more triangle!” via GIPHY You performed one single, epic, cymbal crash in the 2019 season finale
March 6, 2023
According to the SF Chronicle, Sara Couden once “drove the audience into convulsions of delight.” We get to know this Walnut Creek-based singer, acclaimed for her deeply soulful voice, rich tones, and warm personality. And spoiler alert, be careful on stage around bracelet beads… What’s a contralto and how’s it different from alto? AHAHAHH probably
January 19, 2023
Joseph Bologne was born in 1745 on the Caribbean island and French department, Guadeloupe.
January 5, 2023
Austrian-Romanian pianist Maria Radutu, soloist in February’s CHOPIN IN PARIS concerts, talks about moving from Romania to Vienna at age 14, and plotting a similar path to artistic freedom in later life. (And plot twist: A snoring dog disrupts an important performance.) Can you tell us a little about yourself? I was born in Bucharest, Romania, and
December 29, 2022
Ten concerts, including two world premieres… Ten years of Sound Minds music education classes, uplifting students in a local East Bay community… The launch of Music Director Donato Cabrera’s tenth anniversary season… Thank you for spending this memorable year with the California Symphony! Thank you for so much for joining us in 2022. We can’t
October 19, 2022
Elizabeth Dorman on her musical beginnings, fostering cats, and performing while pregnant. Where did you grow up and where do you live now? I grew up in the heart of San Francisco at Castro and 15th and where my mom Anne still lives. I spent 8 years living in various places around New York City
October 19, 2022
PRINCIPALS JENNIFER CHO (CONCERTMASTER), PHILIP SANTOS (VIOLIN), MARCEL GEMPERLI (VIOLA) AND LEIGHTON FONG (CELLO) TAKE PROMINENT ROLES IN ELGAR’S INTRODUCTION AND ALLEGRO, A WORK THAT HARKS BACK TO THE CONCERTO GROSSO* FORMAT OF THE BAROQUE ERA. WE CAUGHT UP WITH THIS AWESOME FOURSOME AS THEY PREPARE FOR A PROGRAM THAT CELEBRATES THE MELODIC HEART AND SOUL OF THE
October 5, 2022
The 2022/23 season celebrates a number of milestones, including Music Director Donato Cabrera’s tenth season with the California Symphony. He sat down with us to share his reflections on the journey so far. Congrats on your tenth season with California Symphony! We should have got you a cake or something but all we’ve prepared are these