RAVISHING RACHMANINOFF

Friday, Oct 13, 2023 ∙ 8 pm
Paramount Theatre, Oakland

And so, we gather again here in the Paramount to inaugurate a new season of the Oakland Symphony. As we keep in our hearts the memory of Michael Morgan, who passed from us two years ago in August 2021, this new season is almost certain to see the announcement of the Orchestra’s next Music Director. It has been a careful, deliberate process to assure that the singular values of the Oakland Symphony are embraced by someone who shares them and reflects them in the music-making. You have been there every step of the way and it is your support that has made this process so rewarding.

Tonight, Shiyeon Sung leads Rachmaninoff’s late, luxuriant Symphonic Dances. Shiyeon hails from South Korea, has conducted in Europe and America, and on this continent lead the Boston Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. She is joined by the phenomenal Awadagian Pratt for a four-century span from Bach to Jessie Montgomery.

On Saturday, October 21, the Oakland Symphony’s signature Playlist returns to celebrate Angela Y. Davis, the historic activist and educator, and the conscience of a generation. She will share the music that inspired her courage and her commitment. This special event is hosted by W. Kamau Bell, Oakland Symphony’s 2018 Playlist honoree and welcomes back to the podium two-time Emmy winner Rickey Minor, who led the 2022 Playlist with Debbie Allen. 

November 10 will see the debut of conductor Jeri Lynne Johnson for music of Beethoven, Stravinsky, and Margaret Bonds. Anthony McGill, Principal Clarinet of the New York Philharmonic, will perform Anthony Davis’ powerful You Have the Right to Remain Silent. December is celebrated with the return of Let Us Break Bread Together, the Oakland Symphony’s holiday tradition. And 2024 will bring four further concerts to provoke our thoughts and thrill our senses.

This season arrives at the destination of one journey, and begins the next. It will be an exciting, new era for the Oakland Symphony. The greatest joy is that we will share it all together.

Sincerely, 

Dr. Mieko Hatano,
Executive Director

VALERIE COLEMAN
Seven O’Clock Shout

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Piano Concerto in A Major, BWV 1055
     I. Allegro moderato
     II. Larghetto
     III. Allegro ma non tanto

JESSIE MONTGOMERY
Rounds for Solo Piano and String Orchestra

INTERMISSION

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF
Symphonic Dances, Opus 45
     I. Non allegro
     II. Andante con moto: tempo di valse
     III. Lento assai; Allegro vivace

The 2022-2023 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