The largest orchestra in the history of the Poway Symphony opens a new season in November

Symphonies, concertos and popular favorites will once again adorn the Poway Symphony Orchestra hall for the 2021-22 season.

The concert hall has been closed since 2019 due to COVID-19. Three performances are scheduled for the new season and tickets are available, with the first showing on November 21.

“These concerts are the first step in a new era,” said Bo Matthys, Chairman of the Board of the Poway Symphony Orchestra. “We come back with an orchestra full of new energy and ready to play.

The programs were chosen for very specific reasons, said music director John LoPiccolo.

“After no music for about two years, we present an incredibly large orchestra – the largest it has ever been in its history,” LoPiccolo said. “Mixture of professionals and amateurs, there are nearly 60 people in the orchestra this year.

In addition, he said, some “generous” sponsors have covered the costs of the guest artists.

The first program will take place on Sunday November 21. “The Music is Back” will open with “Roman Carnival Overture” by Hector Berlioz, featuring brass, soft melodies and frenzied folk dances. Next is Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Spanish Capriccio”, featuring all orchestral sections participating in Spanish-flavored music with a Russian accent. The finale of the program is Tchaikovsky’s “Piano Concerto No. 1”; Returning guest pianist Frédéric Moyer will join the orchestra.

“Moyer performs one of the greatest piano concertos of all time,” said LoPiccolo. “We are very happy to present this artist at this level and an orchestra that can present concerts like this. It will be memorable. “

Matthys also praised Moyer.

“Besides boasting of a successful career in classical music performance, Moyer is also a jazz magician, and may well surprise us with one of his brilliant jazz numbers,” he said.

The second event takes place on Sunday March 20 at 4 pm “Symphony in D minor” by Franco-Belgian composer César Franck, accompanied by another French masterpiece, “Cello Concerto No. 1” by Camille Saint Saëns . The soloist will be principal cellist Daniel Grab.

The third program will take place on Sunday, May 20 at 4 p.m. The varied program will feature several favorites, including “Fantasia para un gentilhombre” by Joaquin Rodrigo with guest artists Fred Benedetti on guitar; Mozart’s “Symphony No. 39”; two suites of “l’Arlésienne” by Georges Bizet and “España” by Emanuel Chabrier.

“People who haven’t been to classical concerts before should try to come and see, hear and explore what it is – it’s very different from other music on offer,” said Matthys. “If you really get down to it, you feel moved; transported to another level.

“People can be pleasantly surprised how much they like it. “

All three concerts take place at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, 15498 Espola Road in Poway. For tickets visit www.powaysymphonyorchestra.org or dial 858-776-3842. For further information, send an email to [email protected]