And a new Oakland Symphony season begins. Filled with inspiring promise and much needed hope.
Kedrick Armstrong has been embraced by this community and returned that embrace with music that speaks to us, for us, and about us.
Tonight, we welcome back our dear friend Sara Davis Buechner, one of America’s finest and certainly most courageous pianists. As she navigates the deep jazz influences and tranquil beauty of Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G, she brings to it an authentic provenance. Sara studied with Beveridge Webster, friend and pupil of Ravel, and with Reynaldo Reyes, a pupil of Marguerite Long who premiered this concerto in 1932. Two and three degrees of separation from Ravel the creator!
The first notes of tonight’s concert come from Anna Clyne. This Midnight Hour takes us through to a bright dawn. Adolphus Hailstork is unquestionably an American master, and it is his shining and tender First Symphony from 1988 with which we acknowledge the richness of his body of work. Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird, in the suite from 1919, will showcase the potent partnership of this conductor and orchestra.
Music from the familiar to statements by those less known, even marginalized, but no less eloquent. Here at The Paramount, we hear all voices.
To Oakland Symphony subscribers and donors here tonight, we thank you. It’s more than a concert. It’s a commitment. And if attending for the first time, I hope you will extend your commitment by subscribing to the remaining five concerts this season. Full details will be found at OaklandSymphony.org.
Finally, the recent passing of Robert Redford reminds us that much of his powerful 1972 film The Candidate was filmed right here at The Paramount – the rallies, the campaign headquarters, and the speeches. Peruse the clips on YouTube and you’ll recognize The Paramount in many scenes.
On behalf of Kedrick, our musicians, and the Board of Directors, welcome back. Let the new season begin! Sincerely
Sincerely,
Dr. Mieko Hatano
Chief Executive Officer
Season Opening: THE FIREBIRD!
Friday, October 17, 2025 8pm
Paramount Theatre, Oakland
Kedrick Armstrong, Conductor
Sara Davis Buechner, Piano
ANNA CLYNE This Midnight Hour
MAURICE RAVEL Piano Concerto in G major
I. Allegramente
II. Adagio assai
III. Presto
INTERMISSION
ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK Symphony No. 1
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Scherzo (Allegretto)
IV. Vivace
IGOR STRAVINSKY The Firebird Suite (1919)
1. Introduction
2. The Firebird and its Dance
3. Variation of the Firebird
4. The Princesses' Khorovod (Rondo)
5. Infernal Dance of King Kashchei
6. Lullaby
7. Finale
Season Presenting Sponsor: Bell Investment Advisors
The 2025-2026 Season of Oakland Symphony is generously funded in part by the East Bay Music Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation; the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; and supported by the Oakland City Council and funded by the City of Oakland’s Cultural Funding Program.
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VIOLIN 1 VIOLIN 2 VIOLA CELLO | FLUTE PICCOLO OBOE CLARINET BASSOON HORN TRUMPET TOMBONE BASS TROMBONE TUBA TIMPANI PERCUSSION HARP PIANO |