Downey Symphony concert features guest cellist William Harris

DOWNEY – Now in its 67th season, the Downey Symphony Orchestra will present “Masters United” free to the public on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 7 pm at the Downey Theatre.

Free admission. No tickets required. There is a pre-concert lecture at 6:15 pm.

This is as good as the Hollywood Bowl. It’s closer. It’s more intimate. There is plenty of free parking. And there’s more.

In collaboration, the Downey Arts Coalition (DAC) is presenting a spectacular open-themed “Spirited” art exhibit which begins when doors open at 5:30 pm. In addition to local artists, the featured artists are Heather Ellis, along with Vulfrano and Oksana Gutierrez.

Since 2007, Sharon Lavery has been the music director of the Downey Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble hailed as one of the best metropolitan orchestras in Southern California. Lavery is praised for her passionate and insightful interpretations.

The performance kicks off with Mozart’s “The Impresario” K 586 Overture (1786) written as a comic piece in a competition with Antonio Scolieri.

I’m excited about the Symphony’s presentation of Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings.” Barber finished this arrangement in 1936. It was premiered by Arturo Toscanini in a radio broadcast in 1938.

You may have heard “Adagio for Strings” in film soundtracks including “The Elephant Man” (1990), “Platoon” (1986), “Lorenzo’s Gold” (1992), “Outlander” (2019) and “Amèlie” (2001). It has also appeared on episodes of “The Simpsons,” “Seinfeld,” “American Dad,” and “South Park.”

The highlight of the evening features the accomplished guest cellist William Harris joining the orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s “Variations on a Rocco Theme” op. 33 (1877). Harris has a formidable background and has studied at significant institutions and performed at prestigious venues across Europe, and the UK. This should be something!

The concert closes with Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7” Boisterous, intense and energetic, it was completed in 1813 to celebrate Napoleon failing conquests. Antony Hopkins in The Nine Symphonies of Beethoven noted, “The Seventh Symphony, perhaps more than any of the others, gives us a feeling of true spontaneity—the notes seem to fly off the page as we are born along on a floodtide of inspired invention.”Beethoven spoke of it fondly as “one of my best works…”.

If you are a music lover, this is for you. If you have never experienced classical music or classical music live, this is the perfect introduction. Bring your family and friends. This is a great night out. Did I mention that it is all free?