Prescott’s Regional Professional Orchestra Offering Seven Concerts This Season
Arizona Philharmonic (AZ Phil), Prescott’s regional professional orchestra, launches its new seven-concert season for 2021-22 on October 31 with the uplifting baroque orchestral performance of “Brandenburg and Beyond” at the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center (YCPAC) at 3 p.m. “Arizona Philharmonic prides itself on creating transformative and inspiring music for our audiences, inviting you to Listen with Your Heart as we emerge from our COVID isolation and experience the joy of a live professional orchestra once again,” commented Henry Flurry, Executive Director.
The October 31st concert features Maestro Peter Bay as conductor of the familiar Bach concerto Brandenburg No. 3, followed by the sublime experience of the Marcello Oboe Concerto, the war-cry of Biber’s Battalia, the lightheartedness of Stravinsky’s Brandenburg-inspired Dumbarton Oaks, and the clarity of Mozart’s Symphony No. 29.
Alessandro Marcello’s Concerto for Oboe in D Minor will feature Dr. Laura Arganbright, who brings her exquisite oboe skills to the front of the orchestra. Tickets for this concert, and season tickets offering savings for the seven-concert season are available at azphil.org or the YCPAC box office at (928) 776-2000. All concerts are scheduled for 3 p.m. Sundays.
2021-2022 Season Concerts
Nov. 14: Sonoran Winds Quintet features Arizona Philharmonic’s principal woodwind players. The Sonoran Winds Quintet presents lyrical and joyful works representing Bach and Beethoven, Romantic and Classical eras, and jazz-inspired lighthearted pieces.
Dec. 19: We Wish You Christmas spotlights three talented Arizona sopranos and Arizona Philharmonic musicians presenting both classical and traditional Christmas music spanning as far back as the Renaissance. The concert includes music of Bach, Brahms, Cornelius, Gounod, Handel, Holst, Humperdinck, Rutter, Tchaikovsky, and Vaughan Williams. Sprinkled throughout are seasonal favorites such as O Holy Night, Gesu Bambino, Carol of the Bells, Coventry Carol, O Come O Come Emmanuel, and Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming.
Jan. 9: ¡Andalusia! is a dramatic exploration of the music of southern Spain, featuring Impulso: Symphonic Dances for Marimba, Flamenco Guitar, and Dancer by Henry Flurry and Chris Burton-Jácome. In this northern Arizona premiere performance, Maria Flurry solos on marimba, Chris Burton-Jácome on flamenco guitar, and Lena Jácome as flamenco dancer. Impulso melds the flamenco and classical traditions. AZ Phil also performs two other iconic works set in Andalusia, Bizet’s Carmen Suite and de Falla’s Three Cornered Hat Suite. The concert will open with a suite of miniature works for orchestra that were group-composed by area public-school classes, as part of AZ Phil’s outreach into schools. Maestro Peter Bay conducts.
Jan. 29: Brahms Requiem Dr. Joshua Harper returns to Arizona Philharmonic’s podium with his acclaimed chorus Quartz Ensemble presenting a new, intimate, and exciting rendition of Johannes Brahms’ acclaimed Ein deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem). In Arizona’s premiere performance of Joachim Linckelmann’s much-lauded arrangement, the clarity of Quartz Ensemble’s 12 voices balances beautifully with the Arizona Philharmonic’s chamber orchestra.
Feb. 27: Arizona Philharmonic Brass The Arizona Philharmonic Brass Quintet makes its debut performance with bold and beautiful music of Bach, Gabrieli, Gershwin, Arnold, and the humorous Peter Schickele (aka P.D.Q. Bach). Brilliant and a little bit humorous, the concert by AZ Phil’s principal brass players will be led by principal trumpet player Cindy Gould.
Mar. 27: James D’Leon Quintet Internationally touring Steinway Artist James D’León curates and directs some of his favorite works for piano and strings, including Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1, a couple of Piazzolla tangos, and the Brahms Piano Quintet in f minor. During the concert, D’León will offer personal insights into each of the works being performed.
Five-Concert Season also in Surprise
In addition to the seven-concert series in Prescott, AZ Phil will perform five concerts at the Vista Center for the Arts in Surprise Arizona, beginning October 30. Tickets are available at thevistaaz.com/azphil.
Contribute to AZ Phil
We welcome you to join AZ Phil as we share the joy of music with our community. Sponsorship, donor, advertising and volunteer opportunities for the upcoming season can be found at AZPhil.org. There are multiple levels of advertising and sponsorship offering many benefits, and volunteer openings for all areas of expertise.
About Arizona Philharmonic
Arizona Philharmonic (AZ Phil) is celebrating its fourth season in Prescott in 2021-2022 as Prescott’s regional professional orchestra, presenting large and small concerts that engage and inspire listeners. Based in Prescott and performing also in Surprise, AZ Phil draws musicians from across Arizona and is committed to offering transformative music, while nurturing community participation and supporting the needs and growth of the Prescott area performing arts scene. Arizona Philharmonic is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Ticket information, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities can be found at AZPhil.org or on Facebook.
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Courtesy photo: Maestro Peter Bay conducting Arizona Philharmonic at Yavapai College Performing Arts Center.