Santa Rosa Symphony plays Rachmaninoff's The Bells with three vocal soloists, SSU Symphonic Chorus . . . and no bells!
The Santa Rosa Symphony’s annual holiday concert, December 3, 4, 5 at Weill Hall, Green Music Center, conducted by Bruno Ferrandis, features The Bells, in which Rachmaninoff created the peeling of myriad bells without the use of bells! For The Bells, based on Edgar Allan Poe’s poem of the same name, Bruno Ferrandis will wring the ringing from horns, woodwinds, harp and strings as the chorus sings of joyous childhood, anticipated wedding, turmoil and fright, and finally a death knell.
Concert Times and Location for “Poetic Bells”
Saturday, December 3 and Monday, December 5 at 8 pm, and Sunday, December 4 at 3 pm.
Discovery Open Rehearsal Saturday, December 3 at 2 pm.
Performances are at Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Sonoma State University
Pre-concert talks one hour before each performance (except Discovery Rehearsal)
Sonoma State University Chorus, directed by Santa Rosa Symphony Choral Director Jenny Bent, and three vocalists will join the Symphony for the second half of “Poetic Bells,” a program which includes Prayer Bells by Augusta Read, Enigma Variations by Edward Elgar and The Bells and Vocalise by Rachmaninoff. Jenni Samuelson, described by the Oakland Tribune as “a gifted and imaginative soprano,” will add her award-winning voice to The Bells and Vocalise, also joined by baritone Philip Skinner and tenor Christopher Bengochea.
Maestro Bruno Ferrandis chose the bell theme, deliberately weaving together poetry and song. The Bells is inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s poem of the same name. While Poe’s poem describes the four stages of life, Rachmaninoff’s piece reflects the circle of life. Vocalise, a hauntingly beautiful song written for soprano and orchestra, is sung with no words; only a single vowel.
Leading up to the Rachmaninoff pieces are Prayer Bells by Augusta Read Thomas and Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations for Orchestra. Both composers express an appreciation for Poe’s poetry. Enigma is the name of another poem by Poe and Thomas has written other works based on his poetry.
Bruno Ferrandis, conductor
SSU Symphony Chorus
Jenny Bent, SRS Choral Director
Jenni Samuelson, soprano
Christopher Bengochea, tenor
Philip Skinner, baritone
AUGUSTA READ Thomas: Prayer Bells for Orchestra
EDWARD Elgar: Enigma Variations for Orchestra, Opus 36
SERGEI Rachmaninoff: The Bells (choral symphony), for Soprano, Tenor and Baritone, Orchestra and Chorus, Opus 35
SERGEI Rachmaninoff: Vocalise in E minor for Soprano and Orchestra, Opus 34, No 14
Get Cued In with Pre-Concert Talks and Online Program Notes
The Symphony is proud to announce the return of music historian Kayleen Asbo, for a pre-concert talk one hour before each “Poetic Bells” concert (except the Discovery Open Rehearsal). Asbo’s engaging and informative talks have been very well-received. The pre-concert talks are open-seating and free to ticket holders. Program notes for “Poetic Bells” are available on the Symphony website.
Tickets: $20 - $85
$10 Student Rush tickets (student I.D. required) can be purchased one half hour prior to curtain. Discovery Open Rehearsal: $17 adults / $10 youth (under 18)
Online: www.srsymphony.org
Phone: 54-MUSIC (707-546-8742)
In person: SRS Patron Services Office, 50 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, First Floor
Monday-Friday 9 am - 5 pm, (Wednesdays 10:30 am - 5 pm)
Saturdays of performance weekends 10 am - 1 pm
At the door: Beginning 1½ hours before each performance
Free tickets for youth, ages 7-17. Patrons may request ONE FREE ticket for a youth 7-17 with each paid adult ticket to a Classical Series concert. This offer is not available online; please contact Patron Services by phone or in person.
Sponsors
Concerts sponsored by Donald and Maureen Green
Conductor Bruno Ferrandis is underwritten by Norma Person
SSU Symphonic Chorus underwritten by Mr. Wil Craig
SRS Choral Director, Jenny Bent underwritten by Dr. Larry Schoenrock Endowment Fund
Vocalists Jenni Samuelson, Christopher Bengochea and Philip Skinner are underwritten by Jim Lamb
The Discovery Open Rehearsal Series is sponsored by The Stare Foundation and
David Stare of Dry Creek Vineyard
Pre-concert talks are sponsored by Jamei Haswell and Richard Grundy, Ellen and Chuck Wear
Special thanks to Doubletree by Hilton Sonoma Wine Country for guest artist lodging and
The Press Democrat for media sponsorship
