The Long Beach Symphony Orchestra (LBSO) performs its sixth and final concert in the 2006-2007 Classics series on Saturday, June 9, 2007, starring the five LBSO Principal Winds as soloists on the world premiere of David Newman\'s Concerto for Winds. In addition, Music Director Enrique Arturo Diemecke has selected two versions music inspired by Shakespeare\'s Romeo & Juliet - the first by Tchaikovsky and the second by Prokofiev. "The Tchaikovsky Romeo & Juliet is intensely dramatic and a great way to open a concert," said Diemecke. "Prokofiev\'s ballet Romeo & Juliet is perhaps the greatest ballet score of the 20th century and includes some of the most beautiful and theatrical music ever written for orchestra. It is a rare opportunity to hear both works on one concert."
The first half of the concert also features the conclusion of a year-long new music project. The LBSO commissioned acclaimed film composer David Newman to compose a concerto for winds that has been premiered movement by movement throughout the season. On June 9, the full work will be given its world premiere. It features Heather Clark, flute; Leslie Reed, oboe; Gary Bovyer, clarinet; Julie Feves, bassoon and Calvin Smith, French horn. All five are principal players in the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra. "As my Concerto for Winds has progressed, I have been so gratified and frankly astonished by the power, flexibility and range of colors that can emanate from Solo Woodwind instruments," said composer David Newman. "This is a testament to the principle wind players of the LBSO - my view, world, paradigm, whatever one calls such a thing in music, has shifted - I see woodwinds in a different light. I think only the highest level of playing can create a "shift" of that sort. It\'s been a privilege working with these musicians."
Son of legendary film composer Alfred Newman, David Newman has written some of Hollywood\'s most memorable scores, including the music for well-known movies, Serenity, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Bowfinger, Monster-in-Law, The Affair of the Necklace, Hoffa, War of the Roses, Ice Age, Cat in the Hat, Galaxy Quest, Anastasia, The Nutty Professor, and Throw Momma from the Train.
The concert begins with Tchaikovsky\'s overture-fantasy Romeo & Juliet. Tchaikovsky started compositing the 19-minute work in 1869 at the age of just 28. He re-wrote it several times with the final version completed in 1880. "It is well-known for the love theme," said Diemecke. "Also memorable are the sections that depict the feuding families. Prokofiev\'s Romeo & Juliet ballet, from 1936, was originally a full 3-hour evening. The composer himself divided the music into three different concert suites. We are playing excerpts from the first and second suite and our selections include some of Prokofiev\'s most famous music."
Doors open at 6:30 pm for the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra\'s 8 pm concert. Our popular half-hour Concert Preview is held at 7 before the concert. KUSC\'s Rich Capparela will host this preview. The Classics series is sponsored by LEXUS, a division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. The concert co-sponsors for June 9 are the Bixby Land Company and Wells Fargo Bank.
The Terrace Theater is located in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd. Tickets range in price from $15 to $61. Student, senior and group discounts are available. For further information, or to order tickets, visit www.lbso.org, or call the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra box office at (562) 436-3203, ext 1.