The Arizona Philharmonic’s first concert since the shutdown, scheduled for May 2 at the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center, is titled Love : Sorrow : Joy — which also describes how those in the organization feel about offering a limited number of tickets due to social-distancing requirements:
“Love” that the AZ Phil is finally performing with a sizable orchestra, “sorrow” that it isn’t for more people, but also “joy” that it’s occurring before the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center shuts down for another six months to have its roof replaced.
Works by Bach, Vivaldi, Vaughan Williams and Pärt will feature in the Baroque concert. ‘Baroque’means the juxtaposition of elements or the tension of two emotions, a hallmark of 17th- and 18th-century composers. Composers of the 20th century also found inspiration in joining disparate parts to create unique worlds of sound. Musicians from AZ Phil, guest conductor Joshua Harper from Yavapai College, and the debut performance of the professional chorale group Quartz Ensemble will offer a balance of old and new with choir and orchestra.
The compositions will include:
• JS Bach, Cantata Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen (1714)
• Arvo Pärt, Da pacem Domine (2004)
• JC Bach, Symphony, Op. 6, no. 6, Gminor (c. 1770)
• Vivaldi,Magnificat in G Minor (c. 1730)
• Ralph VaughanWilliams, Five Mystical Songs (1911) with Steven Berlanga, baritone
The symphony’s April 18 concert,Woodwinds in theWoods, will take place at the Highlands Center for Natural History at 2 and 4pm. Part of the “Music Without Walls” concert series, it will feature extremely limited seating for an intimate chamber concert, presented outdoors. Tickets will be sold through the azphil.org website only. Each concert will feature one or more AZ Phil musicians in a small group setting, with attendance limited to 50 or fewer audience members. Seats are provided, but patrons are asked to bring their own water. Audience members must have tickets to enter, and there will be no tickets available at the door. Due to the extremely limited seating, no refunds are offered for these concerts. Those who cannot attend may contact AZ Phil 24 hours in advance and the ticket cost will be credited as a tax-deductible donation.
May 16 brings another concert to the Highlands Center featuring the Sonoran Brass Quintet, with members who are active in every facet of the Valley’s vibrant music culture. Concerts will be at 2 and 4pm. The Quintet performs with the Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Opera, Tucson Symphony and a multitude of nationally touring Broadway shows. Its members are educators, both as faculty members at Mesa Community College and conducting clinics and master classes at public schools and universities across the Southwest.
Charles Berginc, former Principal Trumpet for the Phoenix Symphony, says: “… besides being musically polished to a high degree, the Sonoran Brass Quintet is just plain fun!”
AZ Phil’s Ticket Purchase Guarantee allows purchasers to use their tickets through next season, all the way through May 2022 if illness or conditions cause a concert cancellation. Please note the location of each concert’s venue. All patrons agree to honor AZ Phil’s safety precautions, which include bringing and properly using an appropriate facial covering.
