Oceans of Time: Orchestral Evolutions

We launch the SoNA season with an engrossing westward journey, from classical music’s birthplace in Western Europe all the way to the multicultural mecca of the Americas.  Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto no. 3 is one of the most-beloved pieces in the entire repertoire, highlighting the soloistic contributions of SoNA’s individual string players.  Our orchestra then plays the world premiere of Cuban composer Aldo Lopez-Gavilan’s magnificent new work “Oceans to Cross”, featuring extraordinary pianist Lara Downes.  After intermission, we delve into the composer who represents perhaps the tightest connection between Europe and America: Antonin Dvorak, who lived in the U.S. for three years (1892-95), is in many ways responsible for discovering and labeling many of the folk music elements that eventually combined together to become the “American Style”.  We celebrate Dvorak this evening by playing his ever-popular and tremendously exciting Symphony no. 8.