Guest Artist; Evelyn Glennie, percussionist Wagner: “Ride of the Valkyries,” Respighi: “Roman Festivals,” Schwantner “Percussion Concerto” Sponsored by Goodyear Beaumont Chemical. Artist sponsored by Sandra Clark.

The Baroque meets the Classical Eras, through tonight's program. Traditionally, our second classics concert features the many talented musicians of SOST. Tonight we'll hear the brilliance of our soloists, as well as the genius of the classical era's beloved composers. Mozart's fascination with opera buffa mixed his love of comedy with his salient orchestration and string writing in tonight's Overture to the Marriage of Figaro. The Brandenburg Concerti were six concert pieces written by Bach for various instrumentalists-chamber music at…

The Elegance of Elgar sweeps us into the romantic period, but not before a triumphal announcement of the Fanfare for the Common Man by American composer, Aaron Copland. Originally written as one of the fourteen fanfares, this theme has prevailed as one of Copland's signature works. Our journey to the romantic period begins with none other than Franz Liszt, the period's preeminent pianist and composer. His first piano concerto is unlike any concerto before in its style and form. Our…

Our final concert of our anniversary season can be characterized as Olympic, Glorious, and Bombastic! Michael Torke's Javelin, originally commissioned for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's 50th Anniversary, was also featured in that city's Summer Olympics in 1996. The 591 measures is but nine minutes long, thus rocketing us through the piece like a javelin through the air. Poulenc's cherished Gloria features our SOST chorus in this masterpiece. We end the evening with Tchaikovsky's classic 1812 Overture with brass, cannons, and…

Classics Series I Jazz Meets Classics   Bernstein: On the Town Ellington: Black, Brown and Beige Suite Rissman: Newly commissioned work by SOST; Cause of Action Gershwin: An American in Paris Featuring dancers from Beaumont Civic Ballet. Pre-Concert Talk: 6:30pm Sponsor           Guest Artist Sponsor: Sandra Clark Overview: It’s been said that there are only so many notes in a scale, and that music comes from the result of their order and style. What better setting…

Classics Series II With soloist, Tim Dueppen. Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture Albrechtsberger: Concerto for Alto Trombone Tim Dueppen, alto trombone Beethoven: Symphony No. 6           Sponsors: Guest Artist Sponsor: Natalie and S.L. Greenberg Overview: Our second Classics concert takes us to the pastoral and pictorial settings in Europe from land and sea. Whether idyllic countrysides, vast ocean and islands, or stately architecture, Europe, especially Germany and Scotland, provided impressive vistas and cultural experiences that inspired the composers…

Classics Series III With Pianist, Claire Huangci Grieg: Piano Concerto, op. 16, a minor Claire Huangci, piano Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 Sponsor: Rosine Wilson Guest Artist Sponsor: Regina Rogers Overview: The Romantic period of music is filled with impressions that sweep the emotions through intense melodies, harmonies that paint pictures, and dramatic conclusions that bring audiences to their feet. Our concert tonight includes all of those critical elements in just two grand pieces. Edvard Grieg’s famous piano concerto opens with…

Classic Series IV Saint Saens: Samson et Dalila: Bacchanale Faure: Requiem Soprano soloist: Abigail Dueppen Baritone soloist: Dalton Woody Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe Suite No. 2 Featuring: SOST Chorus and Lamar University Choir Abigail Dueppen                                               Dalton Woody Co-Sponsors:                     Overview: Our season concludes with a concert of pairings by…

Classic Series I Beethoven: Concerto No. 5 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 Guest Artist Philippe Bianconi The Power of 5! There’s something about fifths in musical literature.  So many composers are recognized after writing their fifth symphony or concerto, including Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Mendelssohn, Mahler, Beethoven and Shostakovich. This concert features two of those titans-Beethoven’s Emperor or fifth piano concerto and Shostakovich’s fifth symphony.  Philippe Bianconi, a perennial favorite of Beaumont audiences, will return to treat our audiences with his majestic playing. …

Classic Series II Rossini: Barber of Seville Vaughan Williams: Suite for Viola and Orchestra Mozart: Symphony No. 39, K 543-E-Flat Major Featured Artist Whitney Bullock, SOST Principal Violist Our musical spirits come to life with the music of Rossini, Mozart and Vaughn Williams. Hear how Mozart’s impressions live on in Rossini’s Barber of Seville Overture, based on the central character of Figaro from Rossini’s opera! One of Mozart’s final symphonies, number 39, reveals the amazing influence his music had on…