Dear ,

 

The term "percussion concerto" may not immediately bring to mind haunting melodies and soulful rhythms, but that is exactly what you'll hear in Avner Dorman's seductive "Spices, Perfumes & Toxins!"  Symphony Silicon Valley's rendition next week will feature the Symphony's own Principal Percussionist Galen Lemmon and Steve Hearn, both of whom gave the piece its Bay Area premiere at the Cabrillo Music Festival two years ago.  Written, says Dorman, to balance the allure of the exotic spices, rich perfumes and inebriating toxins we enjoy with the dark and dangerous side that each possesses, the double concerto is a virtuoso tight-rope walk for the two soloists.  Each surrounded by banks of marimbas, vibraphones, Middle-Eastern drums and every other conceivable percussion instrument, the piece requires every bit as much choreography as it does musicianship--with each player wielding multiple mallets in each hand to play the concerto's many instruments and notes.  It is a visual as well as auditory treat as the percussion section, traditionally hidden behind the orchestra, takes its place center stage.  A blend of middle-eastern, orchestral and contemporary percussion, says Dorman, creates "a unique sound both enticing and dangerous."

Lead by Maestra Carolyn Kuan, Dorman's triumphant concerto appears alongside a pair of equally stunning works for a most celebratory end to our explosive Ninth Season.  Piazzolla's Nuevo Tango Suite Punta del Este, featuring bandoneon--the voice of the tango--opens the evening with Seth Asarnow, soloist.  The evening ends in the warmth of Mendelssohn's Italian sun, with the high-spirited Carnival dances that close his vivacious Fourth Symphony.
 

June 4 & 5, 2011

Tickets $39-$75

Founded in 2002, Symphony Silicon Valley has progressed from a daring idea to rapidly become the greater South Bay's premiere orchestra and a notable community success story.  The Symphony's artists, nationally recruited, locally resident, with an average performance tenure in San Jose of over 20 years, are recognized as among the best in the greater Bay Area.  Led by an exciting roster of distinguished guest conductors on the European model, the Symphony is an anchor tenant of San Jose's magnificently restored downtown California Theatre, one of Northern California's most outstanding music halls.  Symphony Silicon Valley is setting an example of an innovative business model in the arts -- market driven and financially conservative, with low overhead and the flexibility to match its programming to its support base.