Long Beach Symphony

We open this program with a piece by a Lebanese composer, Houtaf Khoury. He studied in Tripoli, Lebanon, and in Kiev, Ukraine. He has composed five symphonies, several concertos for various instruments, as well as chamber and solo music. What you are about to hear is a touching, beautiful, rich, and honest work called The Journey. It is scored for solo violin and strings. It is a magical work that will feature our concertmaster, Roger Wilkie, on solo violin. Concerto for Two Pianos displays the genius of Bohuslav Martin? in this vibrant and rhythmically dynamic work that he composed in 1943 during his time in the United States. Often compared to Prokofiev and Bartók for his innovative incorporation of Czech folk elements into his music, his music from this period reflects a combination of his European roots and his exposure to American musical life. The Concerto for Two Pianos is particularly known for its energy and rhythmic complexity, typical of Martin??s neoclassical style.
Our final work of the evening is Beethoven?s Symphony No. 6, his Pastorale Symphony. In contrast to the dramatic and intense Symphony No. 5, which was written around the same time, this symphony is infused with a sense of peace and tranquility: Beethoven loved nature. He often took long walks in the countryside to think, be alone, and find peace. This symphony vividly depicts rural landscapes, shepherds, and the serenity of the countryside. Beethoven gave titles to each movement. For instance, the first movement is called Awakening of Cheerful Feelings Upon Arrival in the Countryside. Then we have the scene By the Brook, Merry Gathering of Country Folk, the famous Thunderstorm, and finally, the Shepherd?s Song. Beethoven masterfully invents themes that evoke the sounds of nature. You can hear bird calls in the woodwinds, the rustling of leaves, the gentle flow of a brook in the strings, and then the thunderstorm, where the entire orchestra is going crazy.

Convention Center: (562) 436-3661

Tickets available an hour and a half before performance

Pay parking ($15.00) is available at the facility in both garages. (Accessible Parking Is Available.)

- Wheelchair accessible locations throughout theater
- Companion seats adjacent to wheelchair spaces
- Assistive listening devices available
- Elevator access to all levels

NO CAMERAS OR RECORDING DEVICES! NO ALCOHOL, CANS, OR BOTTLES!

2 and under free except childrens shows. Long Beach Symphony at the Terrace Theatre not suitable for small children.