The Music Academy’s partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), which already has yielded multiple dividends, pays off a jackpot this weekend, with a concert by the LSO, conducted by Daniel Harding, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, in the Granada Theater, 1214 State St.; and another concert, with the LSO, again under the baton of Harding, joining forces with the Festival Orchestra, at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 14, in the Santa Barbara Bowl, 1122 N Milpas St.
The program for the Granada concert consists of Michael Tilson Thomas‘ “Agnegram” (1998); Ludwig Beethoven‘s “Violin Concerto in D-Major, Opus 61” (1808) with James Ehnes, violin; and Béla Bartók’s “Concerto for Orchestra, Sz116” (1943 ).
For Sunday’s Community Concert, at the bowl, we’ll hear Hector Berlioz‘s Overture “Le Carnaval Romain” (1844); Igor Stravinsky‘s “The Firebird Suite” (1910, 1919); and Peter Tchaikovsky‘s “Symphony No. 4 in f-minor, Opus 36” (1877–78).
Probably the only work on either program which needs any kind of introduction is Tilson Thomas’ whimsical, delightful “Agnegram,” of which the composer says the following: ” ‘Agnegram’ celebrates pianist Agnes Albert, who was a steady and rallying force for the San Francisco Symphony. The piece is a portrait of her sophisticated and indefatigably enthusiastic spirit.”
The Community Concert is presented in remembrance of Léni Fé Bland, and the performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 4“ is dedicated to the late Peggy Maximus in recognition of her generous and longstanding support of the Music Academy.
Tickets to the Granada concert are $10, $40, $70, $80, and $100, and can be purchased at the Granada Theatre Ticket Office, 1214 State St., by phone at 805-969-8787 or 805-899-2222, or online at www.musicacademy.org.
Tickets to the Community Concert are $10 (7-17s admitted free), with a limited number of $100 premium seat tickets available.
The bowl’s large capacity and historic location make ticket availability more or less assured, but render parking somewhat complicated. For tickets and solutions, it is recommended you consult the academy online at https://www.musicacademy.org/whats-on/community-concert/.
Lead sponsors of the London Symphony Orchestra partnership are Linda and Michael Keston, Mary Lynn and Warren Staley. Additional support has been provided in remembrance of Léni Fé Bland.
— Gerald Carpenter covers the arts as a Noozhawk contributing writer. He can be reached at gerald.carpenter@gmail.com. The opinions expressed are his own.