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wells fargo presents RENSHAW & RACHMANINOFF

MASON BATES Devil’s Radio (West Coast Premiere) FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015, 8 PM PARAMOUNT THEATRE, OAKLAND Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 63 I. Allegro moderato II. Andante assai III. Allegro ben marcato Kenneth Renshaw, violin

INTERMISSION

JOHANNES BRAHMS Selections from Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 52 (selections conducted by Lynne Morrow, celebrating 10 years as Oakland Symphony Chorus Director) 1- Rede Mädchen, allzu liebes Speak, dear girl, whom I love too much 2- Am Gesteine rauscht die Flut The tide rushes over the rocks 4- Wie des Abends schöne Röte Like the lovely blush of the evening 5- Die grüne Hopfenranke The green hops vine 8- Wenn so lind dein Auge mir When you look at me with those mild, loving eyes 9- Am Donaustrande, da steht ein Haus On the Danube, there stands a house 11- Nein, es ist nicht auszukommen No, there is no getting along with people

SERGEI RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 I. Non allegro II. Andante con moto: tempo di valse III. Lento assai; Allegro vivace

KENNETH RENSHAW, violin Season Media Sponsors: Oakland Magazine, KDFC, East Bay Express Season Guest Artist Accommodations provided by: Oakland Marriott City Center The 2015/16 season of Oakland Symphony is generously funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; the Arts Council, a state agency; the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency; and the City Council and the City of Oakland’s Cultural Funding Program.

MICHAEL MORGAN, Music Director and Conductor

OAKLAND SYMPHONY 3 OAKLAND SYMPHONY GUEST ARTIST

Michael Morgan, Music Director & Conductor Violin Competitions, and First Prize at the 2009 Bryan Nies, Assistant Conductor Los Angeles Philharmonic competition, and FIRST VIOLIN CELLO CLARINET TROMBONE was a Laureate of the 2015 Queen Elisabeth Basma Edrees, Concertmaster Daniel Reiter, Principal Diane Maltester, Principal Thomas Hornig, Principal International Violin Competition of Belgium. Vivian Warkentin, Joseph Hébert, Jeannie Psomas Donald Benham Asst. Concertmaster Asst. Principal Kristina Anderson Michelle Kwon E FLAT CLARINET BASS TROMBONE A passionate chamber musician, he has Patrice May Rebecca Roudman Diane Maltester Kurt Patzner Carla Picchi Elizabeth Vandervennet collaborated in performances with many esteemed Ellen Gronningen Jeff Parish BASS CLARINET TUBA artists, including legendary pianist , Deborah Spangler Paul Rhodes Karen Wells Scott Choate, Principal Emanuela Nikiforova Jan Volkert violinists Shmuel Ashkenasi, Pamela Frank, Cho- Stephanie Bibbo ALTO SAXOPHONE HARP Liang Lin, cellists Matt Heimovitz and Ralph Dagenais Smiley STRING BASS David Henderson Anna Maria Mendieta, Kirschbaum, violist Atar Arad, and flutist Sir Antoine van Dongen Patrick McCarthy, Principal Principal Brian Lee Carl Stanley, Asst. Principal BASSOON James Galway. He was a member of the Soleil Andy Butler Jarratt Rossini, Principal PIANO Piano Trio from 2008-2010, First Prize winners SECOND VIOLIN David Arend Rufus D. Olivier Ellen Wassermann, Principal Liana Bérubé, Principal Abraham Gumroyan of the Mondavi Center for the Arts Chamber David Cheng, Asst. Principal Jon Keigwin CONTRA BASSOON TIMPANI Music Competition. Kenneth was an Evnin Rising Candace Sanderson Shawn Jones Kevin Neuhoff, Principal Sharon Calonico FLUTE Star at the Caramoor Festival (Katonah, NY) and Baker Peeples Alice Lenaghan, Principal HORN PERCUSSION has participated in the Ravinia Festival’s Steans Adrienne Duckworth Amy Likar Katie Dennis, Principal Ward Spangler, Principal Institute, the Perlman Music Program’s Residencies Sergi Goldman-Hull Stacey Pelinka Alison Sawyer, Asst. Principal Jim Kassis KENNETH RENSHAW, VIOLIN Cecilia Huang Alicia Telford Arthur Storch in Sarasota (Florida) and Stowe (Vermont), Robert Donehew PICCOLO Monika Warchol Mark Veregge Music@Menlo’s International Chamber Music Alison Miller Amy Likar Ross Gershenson Stan Muncy raised for his “round and luminous sound, Psubtle phrasing, clear articulation, and flawless Institute, and the 2013 Kronberg Academy VIOLA OBOE TRUMPET PERSONNEL MANAGER intonation” (La Libre Belgique) and for his “natural Violin Masterclasses. Margaret Titchener, Principal Andrea Plesnarski, Principal William Harvey, Principal Carl Stanley Darcy Rindt, Asst. Principal Robin May Leonard Ott and honest sense of communication” (Strad Betsy London John Freeman LIBRARIAN Magazine), American violinist Kenneth Renshaw Kenneth was Concertmaster of the internationally- Stephanie Railsback ENGLISH HORN Paul Rhodes acclaimed Symphony Youth Linda Green Laura Reynolds has appeared as soloist with throughout Tatiana Trono TECHNICAL DIRECTOR the world, including the National Orchestra of Orchestra from 2008-2010; he made his solo Omid Assadi Seth Ducey debut in Davies Symphony Hall as winner of Alessandra Aquilanti Belgium, the Orchestre de Chambre de Wallonie, the Lithuanian National Orchestra, the China the orchestra’s concerto competition in 2010. Philharmonic, the China NCPA Orchestra, the He has studied with Donald Weilertstein at the OAKLAND SYMPHONY CHORUS Jenaer Philharmonie, the Staatskapelle Weimar, New England Conservatory, the California Symphony, the American at the Perlman Music Program, and Li Lin at SOPRANO Helen Mehoudar Margaret Hegg Jerry Reynolds Philharmonic, and the Orquesta de Festival Ushuaia. the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He is Barbara Berry Laura Miller Natasha Hull-Richter Steve Schultz He has given sold-out recitals at major European currently studying at the Juilliard School with Mr. Mayotis Cephas Jewelz Moyer Karen Ivy Jim Stenson* Susan Chan Donna Oliver Amy Kessler ^ Daniella Urban* ^ music festivals (the Menuhin Festival Gstaad Perlman and Mr. Lin as a recipient of a Kovner Jooeun Choi Erica Peck Jeanne Korn Ted Vorster and the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festspiele) and Fellowship. He has been generously loaned violins Nancy Cotteral Connie Phillip Shirley Lindley Joanne Drumm Suzanne Reinfranck Linda Lipner BASS has repeatedly been featured on the national from the Juilliard School, Bein&Fushi/The Jane English Abbie Rockwell Katie Moore Jay Beams radio stations of Germany, Belgium, Argentina, Stradivarius Society of Chicago, Reuning&Sons Charmaine Ferrera Nanci Schneidinger* Mary Oram Charlie Crane* ^ Dolores Gilchrist Chung Taylor Sylvia Parker Sheldon Greene Lithuania, and the United States. Kenneth of Boston, Christophe Landon Rare Violins, Ellie Hahn Cynthia Webb-Beckford ^ Annie Shun Don Howe won First Prize and the EMCY Prize for Best and the Maestro Foundation of Southern Susan Hendandez Gia White Monique Stevenson Bill Leong Carol Henri Loni Williams* ^ Shakir Mackey Semifinal Recital at the 2012 California. Upcoming engagements include a Barbara Howard-Johnson* ALTO Karl Malamud-Roam International Violin Competition. He also won debut recital at the Louvre Museum in Paris, Carol Hudson Eva Acre TENOR Bill Manley chamber music performances at the Caramoor Alisa Jones Judith Berlowitz Reuben Boyd John Manzeck First Prize, the Mozart Concerto Prize, and the Elspeth Kersh ^ Ginny Blumberg Lavora Copley Michael Nathanson* Sonata Prize at the 2010 Spohr International Center for Performing Arts, and a concerto Susan Lambert Becky Bob-Waksberg Berite Jackson Joe Orr appearance in the opening night concert of the Deborah Lewis Karenlynne Bradley Bernie Juat Ken Saltzstine ^ Linda Manzeck Rena David Curtis Lawler Mark Slagle Oakland Symphony. Renee Gistand Arnold Lee+ Cavlin Wall Barbara Miller Bob Wehrman

* Leaders + Coach ^ Chorus Advisory Committee Members 4 OAKLAND SYMPHONY OAKLAND SYMPHONY 5 PRE-CONCERT PERFORMERS BRAHMS LIEBESLIEDER WALTZES TRANSLATION

The students performing in the lobby are from the Heads The texts of the Liebeslieder (“Love Songs”) are taken from 5. The green hops vine, Up Program and represent Oakland public schools! “Polydora, ein weltpoetisches Liederbuch,” or “a world poetry It winds down to the earth. song book.” It was written in 1855, by the German poet The young, lovely girl, Officially started in 1987, Heads Up is a Head-Royce and philosopher Georg Friederich Daumer (1800-1875). Her thoughts are so sad. School partnership (HRS) with the Oakland Unified This collection of translations and imitations of folk poetry, School District (OUSD). The program runs year-round primarily Russian, Polish, and Magyar (Hungarian), has as its Listen, green tendril! academic enrichment for more than 125 students each year, predominant sentiments the many facets of love. Why don’t you lift yourself up to the sky? focusing on academic growth and leadership development. Listen, lovely girl, Today, Heads Up has served more than 1,000 low-income 1. Speak, dear girl, whom I love too much, Why is your heart so hard? youth of color from Oakland. “Our mission is to provide Who has thrown into my cool heart, with just a look, underserved middle-school students of color from OUSD These wild, hot feelings! How would the vine suspend itself with challenging and enriching programming. We do this If no support offers it strength? with the intention of supporting students in their academic Won’t you soften your heart? How will the girl be happy success and helping to facilitate a deeper appreciation and Do you want to remain a pious saint, When her Love is far away? commitment to the city of Oakland.” Without sweet bliss? Or do you want me to come? 8. When you look at me with those mild, loving eyes Every last disturbing cloud flies away. TODAY’S FUTURE SOUND Live without sweet bliss? The beautiful glow of this love, I would never suffer so bitterly. Don’t let it vanish! oday’s Future Sound (TFS) is a fiscal project of Friends I will only come, Dark Eyes, Never will another love you as faithfully as I do. Tof Oakland Parks and Recreation, a 501c3 based in I will come when the stars say hello. Oakland, CA. TFS was founded by producer/beat maker 9. On the Danube, there stands a house, Ben Durazzo in 2010 while teaching in schools in Berkeley 2. The tide rushes over the rocks, There, a rosy girl looks out. and Oakland. Dr. Elliott Gann joined in 2012. TFS Driven violently; The girl is well cared for; ALICIA VENABLES, VIOLIN currently teaches music production, beat making, and Those there, who don’t know how to sigh, Ten bars of iron are placed in front of the door. DJ’ing to youth and the general public in the San Learn it from loving. Ten bars of iron, this is a fun game; anadian born violinist Alicia Venables, winner of the 2012 Francisco Bay Area and beyond. These services are offered I will blast them like glass. CNational Chamber Class at the Canadian National Music in schools during the school day, after school, and in 4. Like the lovely blush of the evening, Festival, has had solo engagements with the Vancouver community settings, both in Oakland and the San I, a poor girl, would glow 11. No, there is no getting along with people; Symphony Orchestra, Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, Francisco Bay Area, and on a national basis in the United To please One, one special person, Everything they know gets a toxic interpretation. and also the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra as a 2011 States (New York, Mississippi and Louisiana), as well as In bliss forever. If I’m cheerful, they say I cherish loose morals; Morningside Music Bridge Concerto Competition finalist. internationally. Such activities are used as educational, If I’m quiet, they say I’m going crazy about love. artistic and therapeutic/wellness interventions primarily She has participated in world-renowned summer music targeting under served populations. As an Oakland-based festivals such as the senior Young Artists Programme in Ottawa organization, TFS focuses on uplifting, inspiring and under the direction of Pinchas Zukerman, Banff Master empowering the youth of Oakland. Class for Strings, as well as Morningside Music Bridge. She has won many top awards at British Columbia Performing Today’s Future Sound uses music production and media Arts Festival as well as Calgary’s Kiwanis Music Festival, and arts as vehicles through which to empower youth as artists st took 1 place in the Senior Violin class at the 2012 Alberta and community members while fostering their well-being Provincial Music Festival. as individuals.

She has worked with many guest artists and respected musicians from around the world, including James Ehnes, Kim Kashkashian, Pinchas Zukerman, Nicola Benedetti, Leonidas Kavakos, Andres Cardenes, Li Lin, Tadeusz Gadzina, Did You Know? Gerardo Ribeiro, and members of the Miro, Shanghai, Young people who participate in the arts for at least Pacifica and Brentano Quartets. Passionate about chamber three hours on three days each week through at least music, she was a member of a piano trio at the San Francisco one full year are: Conservatory of Music with cellist and faculty member Jean- • 4 times more likely to be recognized for Michel Fonteneau, performing Ravel’s piano trio, and was academic achievement also in a string quartet performing Henri Dutilleux’s Ainsi La • 3 times more likely to be elected to class Nuit with Jean-Michel. office within their schools • 4 times more likely to participate in a math A native of a small town called Armstrong in British and science fair Columbia, Canada, Alicia began piano lessons at the age • 3 times more likely to win an award for of 4 and violin at the age of 9. She has studied with Bill Van school attendance der Sloot, completing her Diploma in Classical Music • 4 times more likely to win an award for Performance at Mount Royal University, and has just writing an essay or poem completed her Bachelor of Music Degree with Ian Swensen at San Francisco Conservatory of Music. HEADS UP

very year, Heads Up hosts a tuition-free summer Eprogram and this year, they partnered with Today’s Future Sound to host a Software Engineering Course.

6 OAKLAND SYMPHONY OAKLAND SYMPHONY 7 PROGRAM NOTES PROGRAM NOTES

Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 Op. 63 (1873-1943) SERGEI PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) few months before his death in 1943, Rachmaninoff he best account of the origins of Prokofiev’s Second A complained of lacking the “strength and fire” to TViolin Concerto comes from the composer himself. compose. When friends reminded him of the Symphonic In his autobiography, he wrote: “In 1935, a group of Dances, he replied: “Yes, I don’t know how that happened. admirers of the French violinist Robert Soëtans asked That was probably my last flicker.” me to write a violin concerto for him, giving him exclusive rights to perform it for one year. I readily Rachmaninoff’s “last flicker” was begun during the agreed, since I had been intending to write something summer of 1940 on an estate in Long Island. By August, for the violin at that time and had accumulated some he wrote to conductor : “Last week material. As in the case of the preceding concertos, I finished a new symphonic piece, which I naturally I began searching for an original title for the piece, want to give first to you and your orchestra. It is called such as ‘concert sonata for violin and orchestra,’ but Fantastic Dances.” finally returned to the simplest solution: Concerto No. 2. Nevertheless, I wanted it to be altogether different Meanwhile, Rachmaninoff had second thoughts about BRAHMS the title. “It should have been called just Dances,” Todd Rosenberg © Todd BATES from No. 1, both as to music and style.” he said, “but I was afraid people would think I had written dance music for jazz orchestras.” At one point Devil’s Radio The premiere took place on December 1, 1935, with violinist Soëtans and the Madrid Symphony Orchestra, Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 52 he even considered titles for the three movements— (B.1977) conducted by Enrique Fernández Arbós. A special (1833-1897) “Midday,” “Twilight” and “Midnight”—but abandoned delegation visited Prokofiev afterwards to thank him the idea in favor of the Italian tempo designations. s an undergraduate, Bates studied with John Corigliano, for choosing Spain for the first performance. eal family music” was Brahms’ description of the By the time Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra , and Samuel Adler at the Juilliard Liebeslieder Waltzes, a collection of 18 settings A “R introduced the work on January 4, 1941, Rachmaninoff School, then received a doctorate in composition from “The Second Violin Concerto,” writes biographer Israel of poems from Georg Friedrich Daumer’s Polydora. had settled on the title Symphonic Dances. At the end the University of California, Berkeley, in 2008. He was a V. Nestyev, “is more serious, more philosophical than They were composed and published in 1869 and first of the score, Rachmaninoff had written “I thank Thee, DJ and techno artist in Oakland, and is now composer- the First, which was written twenty years before. Here performed in Vienna, on January 5, 1870. in-residence with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. we no longer find those mocking, grotesque effects Lord!” It was his last major work. Two and a half years after its completion, he died in Beverly Hills, California. which had so astonished listeners…in the First Concerto. “Brahms and waltzes!” exclaimed critic Eduard Hanslick Devil’s Radio was commissioned by the Sun Valley There are fewer harsh timbres and harmonies, and a more when he saw the score. “The two words stare at each ~ Program Notes by Charley Samson, copyright 2015 (Idaho) Summer Symphony, which gave the world restrained and gentle play of tone colors. The Second other in positive amazement on the elegant title-page. premiere on August 16, 2014, with Alasdair Neale Concerto is written in a simpler, more intimate style…. The earnest, silent Brahms, a true younger brother of conducting. In his program note, Bates writes: “Rumor The virtuoso writing is also more modest, containing Schumann, and just as North German, Protestant, and is the Devil’s radio, goes an evocative Southern phrase, fewer unusual technical innovations, even though this unworldly as he—writing waltzes!” and ever since hearing it, I’ve fantasized about a fanfare time the composer did use some very complicated with equal parts darkness and groove. What began life technical figurations with biting accents.” Brahms himself was pleased. He wrote to his publisher: as a brief piano étude quickly swelled way beyond its “I must confess that it was the first time I smiled at bounds, and the opportunity to write for a massive the sight of a printed work—of mine! I will risk being orchestra in Sun Valley seemed the perfect chance to give called an ass if our Liebeslieder don’t give pleasure to a the Devil his due.” few people.”

“Sometimes the music is coldly propulsive, as at the Originally scored for soprano, alto, tenor and bass, with opening, which uses a kind of sparkling ‘musical lure’ four-hand piano, the Op. 52 set was joined by Neue in the upper woodwinds. But this is soon undercut by Liebeslieder Walzer, Op. 65, in 1874. Conductor Ernst a bluesy bass line and energetic percussion, ultimately Rudorff persuaded Brahms to arrange a set for voices building into a soaring melody that’s best described as with orchestra, which included eight pieces from Op. 52 vainglorious. Indeed, the work has ample brightness and one that was later included in the Neue Liebeslieder. to counter its dark corners, and in this way it can be heard as a fanfare our villain might write for himself, complete with grandiose flourishes and an infectious swing section. But this lightness quickly evaporates in RACHMANINOFF the work’s final minutes, when thunderous hits in the low brass suggest a Goliath-sized figure throwing his weight around. He bows out with a wink and a nod, ever the gentleman.” PROKOFIEV

8 OAKLAND SYMPHONY OAKLAND SYMPHONY 9