Concerts from earlier in the 2011-2012 Season

opening night: rach 2 Saturday, October 8, 2011 ~ 8 pm Christopher Cohan Center, San Luis Obispo Robert Edward Thies, Piano  BERLIOZ / Overture to Beatrice and Benedict STRAVINSKY / Firebird Suite RACHMANINOFF / Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor Our 51st Season opens with a glimpse of Shakespearean lovers, a ballet that rocked Moscow and a lush, romantic piano concerto that evokes a "full moon and empty arms." Pianist Robert Edward Thies returns to the Central Coast to perform Rach II. Don't miss the musical fireworks! Concert Sponsors: Beverly & Jim Smith Sheila Tiber Immediately following the concert... The President's Reception Sage Restaurant, San Luis Obispo $10 per person at the door Honoring our new president, June McIvor, and celebrating Opening Night with fine wine, luscious desserts and excellent company! Reception Sponsors:

Classics 2 Saturday, November 12, 2011 ~ 8 pm Christopher Cohan Center, San Luis Obispo Roger Wilkie, Violin  BEETHOVEN / Overture to "Fidelio" BRUCH / Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor SIBELIUS / Symphony No.5 in E-flat Major Jean Sibelius was commissioned by the Finnish government to write his fifth symphony in honor of his own 50th birthday, which had been declared a national holiday. Talk about pressure! Overcoming his own mid-life crisis, Sibelius created one of the most beautiful works in the repertoire. The overture to Beethoven's only opera and Max Bruch's most famous work, performed by one of our favorite violinists, complete this masterful program. Concert Sponsors: Patricia McNamara Roger & Janice Verity

classics 3: SUITE SERENADES Saturday, February 4, 2012 ~ 8 pm Christopher Cohan Center, San Luis Obispo Richard Todd, Horn Christopher M. Cock, Tenor MOZART / Symphony No.4 in D Major, K.19 BRITTEN / Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings MOZART/RUSSELL ~ Allegro for Horn & Orchestra, K.494-A   ~ A Re-imagining of an unfinished Mozart Horn Concerto by Craig H. Russell STRAVINSKY / Pulcinella Suite PROGRAM NOTES by Dr. Alyson McLamore & Dr. Craig Russell Composed during World War II, Britten's Serenade is a musical setting of a selection of six poems by British poets on the subject of night. the one and only Richard Todd will return to SLO to "set the wild echoes flying" joined by acclaimed tenor Christopher Cock. A world premiere re-imagining of a 5th Mozart Horn concerto by Dr. Craig Russell and Stravinsky's joyful Pulcinella complete this mid-winter evening of "Suite Serenades." Concert Sponsors: Aaron A. & Lyn C. Baker Joan G. Sargen

classics 4 ~ Classical sketches Saturday, March 10, 2012 ~ 8 pm Christopher Cohan Center, San Luis Obispo Our dear friend Joanna Kurkowicz was injured in an auto accident over the weekend and will be unable to perform with the Symphony this Saturday, March 10th. We wish Joanna all the best and hope for a complete and speedy recovery. Hopefully we will have an update for you by this weekend on her condition. Performing in her place will be two amazing guest artists with a double concerto by W.A. Mozart. Although we will not have a US Premiere this Saturday, we will have an incredible classics concert that we hope you all will enjoy. SCHUBERT / Symphony No.8, "Unfinished" BARTOK / Hungarian Sketches NEW! MOZART / Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra, K.364 Featuring: Phillip Levy, Violin     Andrew Duckles, Viola PROGRAM NOTES  Concert Sponsors: Jane & Roy Gersten