Symphony closes concert season April 2

DOWNEY - So what's in a name? Several things, occasionally.Take the title of the Downey Symphony's concert coming up on Saturday evening, April 2, "A Russian Finnish." (Nope, no typo in there.) Russian: that would be Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6. Finnish: that would be Finnish composer Jean Sibelius's "Finlandia." And now we are Rushin' to the Finish with this final concert of the orchestra's 54th season in the Downey Theatre, under Music Director Sharon Lavery. Sorry, but somebody had to say it. Sandwiched in between those venerable, deeply-appreciated works of Tchaikovsky and Sibelius is something brand new, a Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra, composed and performed by Eric Guinivan, behind a five-octave marimba and a multi-percussion set of drums and bells. Traditionally, the spring program offered by our orchestra gets under way with a whammo of a work in the hands of a delighted amateur conductor, winner of the previous year's Baton Auction. We do not tinker with successful traditions, so the evening opens with the tremendous closing portion of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, led by Bruce Rose. And winds down with a post-concert reception in the theater patio, everyone invited. Details: tickets $30, $25; $10 for students. Call (562) 403-2944 to reserve, or purchase at the box office Wednesday, March 30, between 12-4 p.m., or on the night of the concert. Downey's Civic Theatre is at 8435 Firestone Blvd., parking is free. A discussion of the music begins at 7:15 p.m., downbeat is at 8. - Joyce Sherwin, Downey Symphony

********** Published: March 17, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 48