Press and News

Peninsula Symphony 61st Season opens with

Natasha Paremski Plays Rachmaninoff

October 16, 8pm, San Mateo Performing Arts Center
October 17, 8pm, Flint Center, Cupertino

September 2009 -- Los Altos, CA
Natasha Paremski kicks off the Peninsula Symphony’s 61st season of “Young Artists, Old Masters” with Rachmaninoff’s exciting Second Piano Concerto.  Paremski, one of KDFC’s 2008 “Top 30 under 30 Stars”, is known for her flawless technique and dynamic performances.  Other pieces for the evening include Wagner’s “Rienzi Overture” and Shostakovich’s Ninth Symphony.  Performances are on October 16 & 17 at 8pm at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center and the Flint Center in Cupertino.  Tickets are $35 General admission, $30 Senior/Student and $10 Youth.

It’s not by chance that Rachmaninoff’s thrilling Second Piano Concerto is considered the most beloved concerto by audiences worldwide.  The tempestuous energy and soaring lyricism of this masterpiece engage and engross the listener from beginning to end. From the first, brooding chords in the piano, which explode into a torrent of melancholy melody, to the closing sweep of brilliant, triumphal virtuosity, this is a piece that everyone loves. Natasha Paremski brings youth, passion and flawless technique to this musical icon.

“Our season theme – “old masters, young artists” - is a perfect way to describe this opening concert.  With three sublime masterpieces and a dynamic 21-year-old Moscow-born piano soloist, this promises to launch the season in spectacular fashion,” remarks Mitchell Sardou Klein, Music Director and Conductor.

Shostakovich’s Ninth Symphony, written in celebration of the end of World War II, is not the typical dark, melancholy sort of music that we usually expect from the Russian master. Here Shostakovich exults in a light, jovial play of themes and colorful instrumentation, Classical in scope and cheerful in tone. It is brilliantly written, and great fun to perform and to listen to. The concert opens with Wagner’s Rienzi Overture, with typically plush Wagnerian melody and expansive fanfares.

The Peninsula Symphony, a 90-member community orchestra led by Music Director and Conductor Mitchell Sardou Klein, celebrates its 60th anniversary of providing unique and first-class music to the Bay Area community.  In addition, as part of its “Bridges to Music” outreach programs, the Symphony shares its passion for music by offering programs in schools, providing free or discounted tickets to students and their families, hosting two competitions for students, and presenting a free family concert and outdoor summer concert.  This season the Orchestra performs concerts in venues from Cupertino to San Mateo.  For tickets or more information visit www.peninsulasymphony.org or call (650) 941-5291.