LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Pacific Chamber Orchestra presents 'Refreshing' in Orinda, May 20


Music Director & Conductor Lawrence Kohl Photo provided

Pacific Chamber Orchestra will present two performances of its "Refreshing" program at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20 at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Orinda and at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 21 at Livermore's Bankhead Theater. This captivating program features the "Fab Four" rock star composers, each of whom made an indelible mark in shaping the British Classical music landscape. Lawrence Kohl, PCO's Music Director and Conductor remarks, "From Baroque, to Classical to modern times, these four composers demonstrate musical charm, melody, playful wit, and especially the use of concise expression for maximum affectation. Their techniques helped define and elucidate the engagingly unique British approach?to Classical music."

As its name suggests,?Handel's "Water Music" was indeed written to be performed on the water, commissioned by King George I to accompany a grand royal jaunt up the River Thames in the summer of 1717. `Alla Hornpipe' is perhaps the most famous movement of this work exemplifying the loud and pompous nature of the piece with piercing trumpet fanfares and jubilant strings. Haydn's Symphony #104 in D `London' represents the climax of his orchestral output. The virtuosity of instrumentation, masterful treatment?of musical forms, and freely flowing melodic inspiration - not to mention deft wit - endeared the works to British audiences. Appreciate the bold, romantic power of Sir Edward Elgar's beautiful?"May Song" and "Love's Greeting," a composer best known for "Pomp and Circumstance," the most popular choice for graduation processional marches. Then, prepare to be transported to a refreshing place with the expansive melodies of Gordon Jacob's lively work, "Little Symphony for Chamber Orchestra."

To purchase tickets for the performance at St. Stephens Episcopal Church go to https://www.pacificchamberporchestra.org/tickets

To purchase tickets for the performance at Livermore's Bankhead Theater, go to?https://livermorearts.org/events/pco-passionate/ and then choose desired seats on the checkout page. You can also email your request to?boxoffice@bankheadtheater.org, order tickets by phone at (925) 373-6800, or by visiting the box office at 2400 First Street, Wednesday - Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.