2012-2013 Concert Season

Welcome to the Palo Alto Philharmonic’s 25th concert season! Start by enjoying our pre-season Baroque Concert (September 8) at which a select ensemble will perform Suite No.1 from Handel’s Water Music, as well as an orchestral suite and a concerto for harpsichord by J.S. Bach. This concert will take place at the Palo Alto First Baptist Church.

Under the leadership of Music Director Thomas Shoebotham, the full orchestra season opens (October 20) with Brahms’ stirring Academic Festival Overture, followed by the Lieutenant Kije Suite by Prokofiev and the ever-popular Capriccio Espagnol by Rimsky- Korsakov. A highlight of the concert will be Manuel de Falla’s El Amor Brujo Suite, featuring mezzo soprano Alexandra Mena, who has been a soloist in recitals and operatic performances throughout the Bay Area.

The Fall Chamber concert will be at the First Baptist Church in Palo Alto, on November 17th.

You won’t want to miss Concert II (December 8), presenting Brahms’ Violin Concerto, Op. 77 with soloist Christina Mok. Ms. Mok has received high praise for her dynamic performances in Europe, Asia, and America. This concert also includes works by American composers Charles Ives and Roy Harris. Ives was inspired by childhood memories of his hometown band concerts to write Decoration Day (1912). Harris’ Symphony No.3 (1939) is said to be the most widely performed of all symphonies by American composers.

In Concert III (February 16), the Philharmonic performs the dramatic Piano Concerto No.3 by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Our soloist is Sandra Wright Shen whose lyrical interpretations and formidable technique have earned comparisons with the great Arthur Rubenstein. Ms. Shen has appeared at the Kennedy Music Center in Washington, DC, as well as at other major concert halls in the United States and Asia. This concert also features Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.2, known as the “Little Russian” for its lyrical inspiration from Ukraine folk music.

The Spring Chamber Concert on March 16th will be performed at the First Baptist Church in Palo Alto.

The last orchestral concert of the season (April 6) offers the Actor Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra with Marc Teicholz and Bernstein's On the Town: Three Dance Episodes. As a special finale to our 25th Anniversary Season, Mr. Shoebotham will lead the orchestra in the great Symphony No.5 by Ludwig van Beethoven.

Finally, don’t miss our post-season special Family Concert featuring the young winners of our bi-annual Concerto Movement Competition.