What’s Interesting About This Program
- Three Studies after Couperin by British composer Thomas Adès is an ingenious arrangement of three harpsichord pieces by the French Baroque master, François Couperin.
- World Premiere: California Symphony Young American Composer-in-Residence Katherine Balch (2017-2020) hand selected the three voices for this work, which is based on Les Illuminations by French poet Rimbaud. Balch’s narrative intertwines the original French words with the English translation.
- Often categorized as “impressionist composers”, Debussy and Ravel were the two most important and influential French composers of the early 20th century. Nostalgic and fantastical, Ma mère I’Oye (Mother Goose) is Ravel’s charming musical homage to scenes from fairy tales including Sleeping Beauty, Tom Thumb, and the Enchanted Garden.
Patrons must be fully vaccinated and masks are required. For details, please visit www.californiasymphony.org/COVIDsafety. Thank you for your cooperation!
Making Concerts Fun
This isn’t your grandma’s orchestra! We like to do things a little differently...
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Free pre-concert talk with Maestro Cabrera begins an hour before the show -
Bring your drinks to your seats -
Phones on and silent allowed -
Clap when you like what you hear
The Program
Thomas AdèsThree Studies from Couperin
BalchIlluminate (World Premiere)
Debussy Danse (orch. Ravel)
Ravel Ma Mère l'Oye (Mother Goose)
Featured Artists
- Artistic and Music Director, Donato Cabrera
- Katherine Balch,
- Kelly Guerra, mezzo-soprano
- Molly Netter, soprano
- Alexandra Smither, soprano
What You'll Hear
Deep Dive
- San Francisco Classical Voice Previews Balch's Illuminate
- Program Notes — FRENCH IMPRESSIONS
- Balch on “Illuminate”—A Song Cycle for Three Voices and Orchestra
- Shining a Light on Music with Friends
- Schott Music - Work of the Week – Katherine Balch: Illuminate
- Dark Tales and Happy Endings
- View the Digital Program Book for FRENCH IMPRESSIONS
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