Happy New Year and welcome again to the Paramount Theatre and the Oakland Symphony. Tonight marks the long-awaited return to the Oakland podium of Kalena Bovell who so impressed two seasons ago.

You’ll find her official biography on other pages of the program. It’s one of inspiring determination and commitment. “Much of her artistic philosophy stems from her relatively delayed entry to the classical music world. Though Kalena showed promise as a violinist, a lack of musical resources meant her first private lesson would come at 18. Her experience far behind the typical conservatory-trained musician, Kalena found a new home as a conductor, and worked six jobs to fund the many plane tickets, workshops, and conducting lessons required to excel,” we can read on her website.

“Līlā” (pronounced LEE – luh) by Korean American composer Texu Kim premiered just last July. Tonight’s is only the works second performance and written in elegiac tribute to Michael Morgan. The work is inspired by “gut,” the Korean high-art ritual that brings blessings to every community. In “gut”, to be like a shaman means to be “viscerally intuitive as a performer.” This, Texu believes, embodies the spirit of Michael Morgan. I’m sure we will all agree.

Pianist Samantha Ege, says The New York Times, “has brought music to the life it more than deserves.” She plays the bright and colorful Piano Concerto by British composer Doreen Carwithen, whose centennial was commemorated last year. Beyond the concert hall, she is noted for more than 30 scores for British films from the late 1940’s to mid 1950’s. She and the esteemed composer William Alwyn shared a loving and supportive marriage.

Tonight’s concert concludes with music that needs no introduction: Dvořák’s love letter to America, the beloved “New World” Symphony. We are delighted to welcome to for Kalena Bovell’s very special return to the Oakland Symphony.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mieko Hatano,
Executive Director

DVOŘÁK NEW WORLD

Friday, January 26, 2024 | 8pm
Paramount Theatre, Oakland

Kalena Bovell, conductor
Samantha Ege, piano

TEXU KIM
Līlā  
(Barlow Prize Commission)

DOREEN CARWITHEN
Concerto for Piano and Strings
I. Allegro assai
II. Lento
III. Moderato e deciso ma con moto

INTERMISSION

ANTONÍN DVOŘÁK
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Opus 95
(From the New World)
I. Adagio; Allegro molto
II. Largo
III. Scherzo: Molto Vivace
IV. Allegro con fuoco

The 2023-2024 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.