A Fantastique start to a wide-ranging classical season

Sep 8, 2011

Source: Spokesman Review

The region’s fall classical music scene should be fantastique, if not positively Callithumpian.

First, we have Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz, which will be the Spokane Symphony’s season opener Sept. 17 and 18 at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox.

Meanwhile, “Callithumpian” refers to the Callithumpian Consort, which will open the Auditorium Chamber Music Series at the University of Idaho in Moscow on Sept. 20. They’re an avant-garde ensemble out of Boston dedicated to music as an “experience.”

Here’s a look at the full spectrum of classical music on the way this fall:

Spokane Symphony – The opener of the Classics series will include, along with Berlioz, pianist Jon Kimura Parker, playing one of the best-known piano pieces of all time, Grieg’s Piano Concerto.

Other Classics highlights this fall will be Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 on Oct. 1 and 2, along with Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 (featuring guest violinist Tim Fain).

Then the symphony will provide a double blast of Brahms, with the monumental Requiem on Oct. 22 and 23 and his Symphony No. 1 on Nov. 19 and 20. Cello fans take note: The latter concert will also feature Ralph Kirshbaum playing Dvorak’s Cello Concerto.

On the SuperPops side, the big name will be Frank Sinatra Jr., who will be singing his father’s most memorable hits, backed by the orchestra, on Oct. 15.

If that’s not enough swinging cool, you can also go to the SuperPops on Nov. 12, featuring the vocal swing group Five by Design and sax man Richie Cole. The traditional Holiday Pops concert will wrap it all up with a bow on Dec. 17 and 18.

The Casual Classic series begins with more Beethoven – his Symphony No. 2 and the “Prometheus” Overture – on Sept. 23.

The Chamber Soiree, featuring symphony musicians in a chamber setting at the Davenport Hotel, kicks off Oct. 11 and 12.

And, finally, “The Nutcracker” will pirouette into The Fox for the first time (goodbye, INB Performing Arts Center), with the symphony accompanying the State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara, Dec. 2, 3 and 4.