Great Composers

George Gershwin - An American in Paris
Serge Prokofiev - Concerto for Violin No. 1 in D
William Grant Still - Suite for Violin and Orchestra
Special songs for Gospel Choir and Orchestra

Michael Morgan - Music Director
Rachel Barton-Pine - Violin
Paradise Church Gospel Choir
Pastor Alonzo Morris - Choir Director

"True music must repeat the thought and inspirations of the people and the time. My people are Americans and my time is today."  George Gershwin

Michael Morgan - Music Director
Brian Leerhuber - Baritone
Mitchell Agruss from B Street Theatre - Narrator

Bohuslav Martinu | Kitchen Revue

Francis Poulenc | Masked Ball

Igor Stravinsky | The Soldier's Tale

FREE ADMISSION!

Laugh, listen, and maybe shed a tear with the Sacramento Philharmonic Soloists, B Street Theatre and Maestro Michael Morgan in a moment of music and story telling for the whole family. Root for Joseph the Soldier, in his battle with the devil over a violin, a magic book, a far away kingdom, and of course, a Princess!

Natomas

Thursday, December 3 - 7:30pm
Benvenuti Performing Arts Center

Oak Park

Friday, December 4 - 8:00pm
Guild Theater

Del Paso

Saturday, December 5 - 5:00pm
Artisan Gallery

Orangevale

Sunday, December 6 - 3:00pm
Temple Or Rishon

Downtown Sacramento

Monday, December 7 - 7:30pm
B Street Theatre

Tickets

Tickets available at the door one hour prior to performance. Free admission based on seat availability.

W.A. Mozart - Concerto for Piano No. 20 in d, K. 466
Reza Vali - Concerto for Persian Ney and Orchestra
Nader Abbassi - Nile Bride
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade

Nader Abbassi - Conductor
Shai Wosner - Piano
Khosrow Soltani - Ney (Persian Flute)

On April 26th, 2008, with the belief that music can build bridges between different peoples, the Sacramento Philharmonic embarked on an ambitious and highly successful concert project called the Songs of Hope. As a result, many more miles have been traveled since that time. In January of 2009, Michael Morgan traveled to Egypt to conduct an all American music program with the Cairo Opera Orchestra. Now, the bridge building continues as we present this all new concert event.

In this spirit of unity, the Sacramento Philharmonic has again invited Egyptian Maestro, Nader Abbassi, to conduct another unique concert with our musicians. This time Maestro Abbassi brings two extraordinary musicians to the stage with him - Daniel Barenboim protege, Shai Wosner, from Israel, and one of the world’s leading Ney players, Khosrow Soltani from Iran.

In April of 2008 Edward Ortiz of the Sac Bee commented, "For two musically poignant and powerful hours, the Sacramento Philharmonic proved it could be as fresh, edgy and provocative as any orchestra. The line up of guest artists and the conductor energized the orchestra"

Join us again, for what will surely prove to be another memorable moment.

Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No. 9 in D minor

Michael Morgan - Conductor
Sacramento Opera Chorus
Elizabeth Koontz - Soprano
Cybele-Teresa Gouverneur - Mezzo Soprano
Albert J. Glueckert - Tenor
Kevin Short - Bass

“...Let us raise our voices in pleasing and more joyful sounds!” - Ode to Joy

This concert marks Michael Morgan's 10th Anniversary as Music Director of the Sacramento Philharmonic. Join us for the celebration!

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 is one of music’s most life affirming works. Deaf and ill near the end, Beethoven manages to transcend human frailty. He plumbs the depths of the soul and elevates us to the heights of awe at nature’s sublime gifts. From this symphony’s first mysteriously foreboding notes, to the last joyous explosion of hope and brotherhood, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 is a monumental journey.

Join Maestro Morgan, your hometown Philharmonic, a splendid chorus, and four vocal soloists that you are sure to remember having discovered in Sacramento, for this rousing season opener.

Joseph Schwantner – Chasing Light (Ford Made in America Premiere)
Sergei Rachmaninov – Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Jean Sibelius - Symphony No. 2 in D Major

Michael Morgan - Conductor
Misha Dichter - Piano

Perfect for Wintertime, this concert features romantic music of the Great North. In Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody, you’ll hear the bells of Russian churches, grand Rachmaninov melodies, and virtuosic flights of fancy from the unequaled skill of pianist Misha Dichter.
 
With his Symphony No. 2, Jean Sibelius became once and for all Finland’s greatest composer. Full of optimism and heroics, this symphony will have you on your feet even before the last note!

Lets hope it snows in Sacramento to make the evening even more complete!

This event was a huge success, with future plans to bring you more specially designed concerts like this one for kids and families. Thanks to all of you who attended!

For their generously donated time and services, we'd especially like to thank:

Jodette’s Belly Dancing Academy
Mansour’s Oriental Rug Gallery
Eleakis and Elder Photography
Ace Magic and Catalysis Group
Story Telling by Eli Roth
Instrument Demonstrations by Jay Stebley
Art work by kids from the Jan Juan Unified School District

NARRATED FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES

Community Center Theater, Downtown Sacramento
Admission only $10   Kids 12 and under are FREE!!
Pre-Concert Festivities - 1:00 pm  Concert - 2:00 PM

Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade

Leah Ladd from B Street Theater - Scheherazade
Kenneth Raskin- Conductor/Sultan

During this Target Family Event, take a dazzling musical magic carpet ride as the Philharmonic and Leah Ladd of Sacramento’s B Street Theater team up in this enchanting, kid-friendly presentation of Rimsky-Korsakov’s ever popular Scheherazade, based on the Tales from 1001 Arabian Nights. Through the magic of musical storytelling, Scheherazade recounts the legend of the Sultan Shahriyar, as he is charmed by an amazing series of stories told each night by his wife, Scheherazade.

Come at 1 pm to visit "Scheherazade's Bazaar". You'll enjoy lots of fun activities for kid's of all ages, all to get you warmed up and ready for our main concert at 2 pm.

• See Live Middle Eastern Dancing
• Create your own Arts & Crafts
• Listen to Enchanting Stories from 1001 Arabian Nights
• Be Dazzled by Feats of Magic
• Learn about all the Instruments in the Philharmonic
• Discover Persian Culture
• Meet Scheherazade and the Sultan Shahriyar

Be certain not to miss this wonderful program, as your whole family is sure to be whisked away on an exciting voyage of fantasy and imagination! 

Scheherazade

The Sea and Sinbad’s Ship
The Story of Prince Kalender
The Young Prince and the Princess
The Festival at Bagdad, The Sea,
     The Ship Goes to Pieces on a Rock

Robert McDonald - Piano

Midori was born in Osaka, Japan, in 1971 and began studying the violin with her mother, Setsu Goto, at a very early age. In 1982, when Zubin Mehta first heard her play, he was so impressed that he invited her to be a surprise guest soloist for the New York Philharmonic's traditional New Year's Eve concert, on which occasion she received a standing ovation and the impetus to begin a major career.

Midori made her first recording at the age of 14 for Philips - she played music of Bach and Vivaldi with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Pinchas Zukerman. She now records exclusively for Sony BMG, which issued two Midori releases in 2008 - an album joining sonatas of J.S.Bach (Unaccompanied No.2 in A minor) and Bartók (No.1 in C-sharp minor, with pianist Robert McDonald); and a 2-CD compilation of catalogue material, Essential Midori. In 2003 Sony Classical released Midori's recording of the Bruch G minor and Mendelssohn E minor concertos, recorded live with the Berlin Philharmonic under the direction of Mariss Jansons. This recording won Germany's coveted Deutsche Schallplattenpreis, as did her recording of French recital repertoire with pianist Robert McDonald.

[Aside from an extensive recording career] Midori continues to devote a substantial amount of time to several community-directed initiatives she has established to address an issue she believes to be of crucial and ever-growing importance: access. Midori feels passionately that people must have access to a variety of great music, regardless of their age, race, social class, geographic location, or financial means (In 2007 Midori was designated an official U.N. Messenger of Peace by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who cited her community engagement work as a model of exemplary commitment to worldwide goals shared by the U.N.).

Midori's devotion to music education involves not only her extensive community engagement efforts but a deep commitment to her work at the University of Southern California. At USC's Thornton School of Music, Midori holds the prestigious Jascha Heifetz Chair, and also serves as Chair of the Strings Department. As such, in addition to her administrative duties, she provides private violin instruction, chamber music coaching and devising a curriculum in community engagement studies. At USC, Midori actively performs with her students both on and off campus. In addition and on an ongoing basis, Midori enjoys working with young violinists in master classes all over the world.

Midori lives in Los Angeles. In 2000, she received her bachelor's degree in Psychology and Gender Studies at the Gallatin School of New York University, graduating magna cum laude, and in 2005 received her Master's degree in Psychology. Away from school and the concert hall, Midori enjoys reading, writing and attending the theater. Her violin is the 1734 Guarnerius del Gesu "ex-Huberman", which is on lifetime loan to her from the Hayashibara Foundation. She uses three bows, two by Dominique Peccatte and the third by François Peccatte.

For more on Midori go to http://www.gotomidori.com/index.html