NEW WEST SYMPHONY PRESENTS
Our American Roots
Live, In-Person Performances February 26-27
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Eileen Roberts
805-497-5800
eroberts@newwestsymphony.org
Thousand Oaks, CA – New West Symphony continues live in-person concerts led by Artistic and Music Director Michael Christie, with the return of the full orchestra and a salute to our music heritage: Our American Roots. This concert presents multi-GRAMMY nominated violinist Philippe Quint, previously recognized for the recording of the piece he will be performing live; Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Violin Concerto. Philippe Quint plays the magnificent 1708 “Ruby” Antonio Stradivari violin on loan to him through the generous efforts of The Stradivari Society®. Philippe Quint appears regularly with major orchestras and conductors internationally at venues ranging from the Gewandhaus in Leipzig to Carnegie Hall in New York. In 2019, Quint released an album to worldwide acclaim entitled Chaplin’s Smile, that features 13 original arrangements of songs by Charlie Chaplin.
Additionally included in the program is Antonin Dvorák’s beautifully woven tapestry reflecting his travels in America; Suite in A Major, “American,” Aaron Copland’s rousing Fanfare for the Common Man, and Joan Tower’s equally stirring “Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman.” The latter two are visually accompanied by images of America’s photo-historian Joe Sohm. Among Sohm’s numerous accolades, he is the recent recipient of the City of Ojai Arts Commission 2021 Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award. Concluding the concert is the prolific John Williams’ epic and crowd-pleasing Star Wars Suite.
“I am proud to present the greatest American-influenced writers of orchestral music together in one program. Lush and soaring Hollywood film scores evolved from the pen of Erich Korngold (The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Sea Hawk) to the epic scores of John Williams (Jaws, Star Wars,Schindler’s List),” says Music Director Michael Christie. “We have endured so much as a nation and we’ve grown to a point where it would be unheard of not to celebrate the contributions of women in every aspect of life, which is why two fanfares, for the Common Man and Uncommon Woman share our spotlight.”
In compliance with federal, state, and county health guidelines, proof of vaccination or negative Covid test and masks will be required. The program is recorded for all ticket holders.
Our American Roots Tickets & Information
Starting at $30
https://newwestsymphony.org/2021-22-season-2/our-american-roots/
866.776.8400
Program for Our American Roots
AARON COPLAND | Fanfare for the Common Man
JOAN TOWER | Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman
ANTONIN DVORÁK | Suit in A Major, “American”
ERICH WOLFGANG KORNGOLD | Violin Concerto
JOHN WILLIAMS | Star Wars Suite
Dates & Venues
February 26, 2022, 7:30pm | Thousand Oaks
Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Center
2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
February 27, 2022, 3:00pm | Camarillo
Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center
4235 Mar Vista Dr., Camarillo, CA 93010
About the New West Symphony
Now in its 27th season, the New West Symphony draws its players from the rich talent pool of accomplished Los Angeles-area musicians. During this season, New West Symphony will present programs ranging from the familiar melodies of Hollywood’s Silver Screen and the Great American Songbook to the pinnacle of symphonic masterworks, Beethoven’s beloved Ninth Symphony. The season features New West Symphony premiere performances of works by four American women composers: Joan Tower’s Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman, Jessie Montgomery’s Strum, Reena Esmail’s Meri Sakhi Ki Avaaz (My Sister’s Voice), and a world premiere collaborative performance of Pauline Frechette’s Tales of Winter. Among other works are Dvořák’s Suite in A Major, “American,” Sibelius’ Third Symphony; Mozart’s “Jupiter” Symphony; and selections from Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha as well as music by Vivaldi, Vaughan Williams, Bottesini and Korngold.
About Michael Christie
Named Artistic and Music Director of the New West Symphony in December 2018, GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor Michael Christie is a thoughtfully innovative conductor, equally at home in the symphonic and opera worlds, who is focused on making the audience experience at his performances entertaining, enlightening, and enriching. Deeply committed to bringing new works to life, he has championed commissions by leading and emerging composers alike.
Christie has served as Music Director of the Phoenix Symphony (2005-2013) and Brooklyn Philharmonic (2005-2010), and as Chief Conductor of the Queensland Orchestra (2001-2004) in Australia. He has also guest conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Rhode Island Philharmonic, and the Symphonies of Dallas, St. Louis, Atlanta, Houston, Minnesota, Oregon, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Santa Rosa. European engagements have included leading the Rotterdam Philharmonic, DSO Berlin, Orchestre National de Lille, Swedish and Netherlands Radio Symphony, City of Birmingham Symphony, NDR Hannover Orchestra and the Czech Philharmonic. Christie also enjoys a strong profile in Australia, where he has conducted the Sydney Symphony, Tasmanian Symphony, Opera Queensland, and the Western Australian Symphony in Perth.
For further information, visit michaelchristieonline.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.