Pines of Rome

Celebrate the power of nature and new horizons in music: The dazzling razzmatazz of Bernstein’s high-spirited musical prelude sets the stage for two contemporary works that follow: a new piano concerto by esteemed composer Adolphus Hailstork and a new and colorful orchestral work by Pacific Symphony’s Composer-in-Residence, Viet Cuong. Respighi’s tone poem paints in music the grandeur and history of the Eternal City, including a recording of an actual Italian nightingale singing a serene nocturne!

Adolphus Hailstork has written the following about his new work: "My second piano concerto, written for Lara Downes, is a tranquil fantasy piece subtitled "the peaceable kingdom" based on a series of paintings of the same name. But the third concerto (commissioned by Jeffrey Biegel), subtitled "the way things really are" reflects the opposite: the meanness and cruel belligerency in the world, with two wars—which began during the composing of the piece—serving as examples. There is a slight reference to a medieval Ukrainian lullaby."

With Image Magnification (IMAG) on the big screen for a closer look at the guest artist, conductor and orchestra musicians!

Carl St.Clair, conductor
Jeffery Biegel, piano

Preview Talk at 7 p.m. with KUSC midday host Alan Chapman.