Harvey Felder, conductor
Regina Yeh, piano

2:30 p.m.  Sunday, February 26, 2012
Rialto Theater

Torke: Ash
Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2
Barber: Adagio for Strings
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 "Italian"

                    
Michael Torke's groundbreaking Ash of 1989 was called "one of the most remarkable orchestral works to have emerged from America in recent years." (Gramophone)  Barber's haunting Adagio is famous for its memorable use in the 1986 movie Platoon.  Formerly director of piano studies at PLU, pianist Regina Yeh has been lauded by the New York press for her "fiery musicality" and "meltingly beautiful" sound.  Chopin's youthful 2nd Piano Concerto features piano writing "of such imagination and beauty that (his) inexperience writing for the orchestra is immaterial."  (Phillip Huscher)  It was written in 1830, when he was just 20, as the vehicle for his rapid and complete conquest of Paris. Learn more.

         

          

Hollywood's Greatest Melodies

Harvey Felder, conductor
Diane Penning, vocalist

2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 25, 2012
Pantages Theater

Described as "thrilling, exquisite, with gorgeous top notes," coloratura soprano Diane Penning stars in a program of favorite songs from great Hollywood films -- including Mary Poppins, Phantom of the Opera, Papa's Delicate Condition, West Side Story, The King and I, Porgy and Bess, Enchantress and more!  "For me, performing is both an artistic and a spiritual experience," Penning reveals. "It is deeply meaningful for me to create an experience for the audience that draws them into the artistry of the music. "  Diane has performed with orchestras around the country, including the Grand Rapids, Colorado Springs,  Arkansas, Rockford, and Traverse symphonies and the Dayton Philharmonic, among others.   This will be a night to revel in romance and nostalgia with a charming and gracious performer.  Learn more.

          

Faure Requiem

Geoffrey Boers, conductor
Tacoma Symphony Chorus

7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 31, 2012
First Presbyterian Church

Most performances of the Faure Requiem are for full orchestra and chorus, which the composer neither created nor approved.  Geoffrey Boers will recreate the composer's original intent with this concert.  A gifted organist, Faure was familiar with the properly somber burial music of the time and "wanted to write something different."  The result was this great work, which he called "a lullaby of aspiration towards happiness above."  A select few members of the TSO will join with our chorus in Tacoma's splendid First Presbyterian Church in the Stadium District for this celebration of life and hope.  Learn more.

         

          

Beethoven's Ninth

Harvey Felder, conductor
Amber Sudduth Bone, soprano
Kathryn Weld, mezzo-soprano
Stephen Rumph, tenor
Barry Johnson, baritone
Tacoma Symphony Chorus
   Geoffrey Boers, director

7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5, 2012
Pantages Theater

Nkeiru Okoye: Voices Shouting Out
J. Strauss:  Voices of Spring
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 "Choral"

The greatest of all Classical-Romantic symphonies, Beethoven's "Choral" Symphony features the famous "Ode to Joy" for full orchestra, chorus and four outstanding guest soloists.  Nkeiru Okoye wrote Voices Shouting Out in 2001 to commemorate those lost in 9/11 and as an affirmation of freedom and the human spirit.  Learn more.