Caltech-Occidental Symphony Orchestra

Allen Gross, Director

The program opens with Glinka's sparkling Ruslan and Lyudmila Overture, a virtuoso Russian showpiece for orchestra, and concludes with Brahms' titanic First Symphony.  Brahms as a composer felt himself under the shadow of Beethoven, and only found the confidence to publish his first symphony at the age of forty-three. "It's always an extraordinary experience to perform this work, because we musicians feel compelled to grapple with the music in the same way that Brahms did," says Dr. Gross, who has lead the orchestra since 1983.

Cellist Cécilia Tsan will perform Tchaikovsky's charming Variations on a Rococo Theme, one of the most popular staples of the cello repertoire. Tchaikovsky loved Mozart above all composers and sought to reproduce the melodic charm of the eighteenth century in this work," says Gross. "As an aside, Tchaikovsky and Brahms despised each other's music." Ms. Tsan is one of our region's most sought-after soloists and chamber music musicians. Born in Versailles, France, to Chinese musician parents, she won prizes in Barcelona, Florence, and Paris before coming to the United States. She is currently principal cellist with the Long Beach Symphony and concertizes all over the world. She resides in Altadena.

The Caltech-Occidental Symphony is composed of students from Caltech, staff from JPL, students from nearby Occidental College, and members of the community. Its director, Allen Robert Gross, is also Music Director and Conductor of Orchestra Santa Monica.

The concert is free, with no tickets or reservations required, but early arrival is recommended.

For further information, please visit orchestra.caltech.edu or call (626) 395-3295.

The same concert will be presented on Saturday, November 14th at 7:30 p.m. in Thorne Hall at Occidental College.

Presented By: Caltech Performing and Visual Arts