Dedication Of New Ann E. Pitzer Center At UC Davis

Theater Critic Jeff Hudson joins us for this week’s Sound Advice with a preview of fall season’s concerts. But first, he introduces us to the new Ann E. Pitzer Center at UC Davis.

Jeff’s son Stephen, former cello principal with the UC Davis Symphony, was one of several musicians invited to “test drive” the new recital hall in August. Jeff tagged along and recorded some sound that he shares with us.

Jeff will play two short excerpts demonstrating the Pitzer Center’s adjustable acoustics.

First, we hear a recording with the acoustic draperies deployed for a “dry” sound. Then, Jeff introduces a recording with the acoustic draperies withdrawn for a “resonant” sound.

There are several concerts next week to show off the new venue, on Sept. 23 and 24.

Orchestra Season

Orchestra season is starting, and there will be concerts all over the Capital Public Radio listening area in coming weeks. 

Oct 8 – Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, Karen Gomyo (Violin), Britten Concerto. Tchaikovsky 5.

 Karen Gomyo was born in Tokyo and grew  up in Montreal, she has performed with  the NY Philharmonic, LA Philharmonic, San  Francisco Symphony and others. The  Britten Violin Concerto is one you don’t  often get to hear – it was written in 1940,  when the composer was in his late 20s.

Music: Britten Violin Concerto by Berlin Philharmonic with violinist Janine Jansen.

Oct 14-15 – Modesto Symphony, Gershwin Rhapsody In Blue, Ray Ushikubo, Piano

Ray Ushikubo is 14-years-old – he appeared on the public radio series “From the Top” at age 9, and the Reno Philharmonic had him as a soloist about a year ago. He is a rising star.

Music: Ray Ushikubo playing Beethoven “Appasionata” Sonata.

Other concerts happening in the area:

• Camellia Symphony Orchestra season opener, September 17 at Sacramento City College, violinist Alina Kobialka.
• Stockton Symphony season opener, September 24, violinist Philippe Quint.
• Reno Philharmonic season opener, October 2 and 4, pianist Annie-Marie McDermott.
• Auburn Symphony season opener, October 15 and 16, cellist James Jaffe
• Folsom Lake Symphony season opener, Oct. 22, pianist Natsuki Fukasawa.
• North State Symphony season opener, Oct. 24 in Chico, pianist Olga Kopylova.

Passing of Margrit Mondavi on September 2

Margrit Mondavi and her late husband, Robert, donated $35 million to the creation of the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts at UC Davis. Margrit passed away on September 2. Jeff tells us more about her last visit to the Mondavi Center when she went to hear Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott on May 11. Yo-Yo Ma spoke, offering a warm tribute to Margrit and her late husband Robert Mondavi, and also played the famous Saint-Saens encore, “The Swan,” for Margrit.

Music: “The Swan,” performed by Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott.