What’s Interesting About This Concert
- Aaron Copland’s exuberant Appalachian Spring celebrates the American pioneer spirit and famously quotes the Shaker hymn Simple Gifts.
- One of the greatest musicians of our time, Wynton Marsalis weaves elements of gospel music, blues, and jazz from his native New Orleans into the composition of this genre-bending violin concerto, performed by Kelly Hall Tompkins.
- GRAMMY nominee Juan Pablo Contreras composed MeChicano, fusing Western classical traditions and Mexican folk themes in a retelling of his own migration story.
- This is a co-commission through New Music USA’s Amplifying Voices program.
Concerts Should Be Fun
Why ask people to behave differently at symphony orchestra concerts than just about all other entertainment experiences? The California Symphony is changing that.
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Free pre-concert talk begins an hour before the show
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Bring your drinks to your seats
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Phones on and silent allowed
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Clap when you like what you hear
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Join us at the Saturday Social Club at Día Y Noche after the Saturday Concert!
The Program
Juan Pablo ContrerasMeChicano
Wynton MarsalisViolin Concerto in D
Ruth Crawford SeegerRissolty Rossolty
Aaron CoplandAppalachian Spring Suite
Featured Artists
What You'll Hear
Launch YouTube PlaylistDeep Dive
- NEW: California Symphony Saturday Social Club!
- Program Notes — COPLAND—AMERICAN TRADITIONS
- Music for the Soul: Meet Soloist Kelly Hall-Tompkins
- A Tuba Family Affair
- Drum Roll Please… with Percussionist Allen Biggs
- Celebrating MeChicano Pride with Composer Juan Pablo Contreras
- The Making of a Concerto (BBC video)
- Wynton Marsalis’ Violin Concerto: Beyond Category
- What Makes Appalachian Spring Great
- How Appalachian Spring Carries Promise for a New Beginning
Meet the Trailblazers of Copland—American Traditions:
Insights & Influences with Scott Foglesong: