New West Symphony GRAMMY®-winning Artistic and Music Director Michael Christie and Symphony CEO Natalia Staneva have announced the launch of the Symphony’s 2022/2023 Masterpiece Series Season. Under the direction of Christie, the upcoming 2022-2023 season will feature joyous masterworks and world-renowned guest artists.
"This season will lift your spirit and delight your eyes! Lovingly chosen vibrant works showcase genius composers and brilliantly talented performers. We wanted to present to the community concert themes such as musical variations, music that is witty, concert experiences that incorporate gorgeous video imagery, and wintertime classics. Every work is selected because they make an orchestra sound great. Every concert is conceived with the audience experience at the forefront,” says Maestro Christie.
The six-concert series commences December 3 and 4, 2022, in two performance venues—Bank of America Performing Arts Center (BAPAC) in Thousand Oaks, and Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center (RCPAC) in Camarillo.
“Some of our most treasured celebrations and enduring traditions occur during the darkest month of the year, around the time of the winter solstice. Christmas, Las Posadas, Shab-e-Yalda, Saint Lucia’s Day, Yule, Dongzhi, as well as a host of global indigenous celebrations. I’ve chosen a kaleidoscope of music from Korngold, Debussy, Tchaikovsky, Mexican Christmas Carols, Ukrainian holiday folk dance, the voices of angels, Los Robles Children’s Choir and Christmas favorites led by Broadway and film sensation Sam Harris. This is a concert for the whole family and lovers of all sorts of musical styles,” continued Maestro Christie.
The season also includes Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations, Berlioz’s Symphony Fantastique, and a complete concert dedicated to Mozart. New West Symphony will honor the memory of Founding Music Director Boris Brott, who passed away unexpectedly in April 2022, with Elgar’s “Nimrod” variation at the March 4 and 5 concerts.
Maestro Christie will reunite with his GRAMMY®-winning colleague Mason Bates for a performance of an orchestra concerto with a high-definition animated film, by Academy® Award-nominated Jim Capobianco.
“Mason and I became especially close during the production, performances, and Grammy-winning recording of his first opera, the “(R)evolution of Steve Jobs.” I share his vision that energy, passion and virtuosity are the core elements that draw people to performances. I knew this would be a perfect presentation for new and veteran audiences of all ages. To further delight our concert goers, I’ve selected the high powered Symphonie Fantastique of Berlioz to be performed on the same program. With Mason’s Philharmonia Fantastique and Symphonie Fantastique you will see and hear New West Symphony in a new, even more exhilarating way!” exclaimed Maestro Christie.
Additional season highlights will be a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in November, along with Dave and Chris Brubeck’s GRAMMY® nominated symphonic tribute saluting one of America’s most treasured artists, Ansel Adams.
“We are eager to re-ignite the passion for live classical music for the entire community,” said New West Symphony CEO Natalia Staneva. “Some of the season’s dazzling guest artists include Van Cliburn Medalist, pianist Sean Chen, and the electric and dynamic cellist, Ifetayo Ali-Landing. Also spotlighted will be many of New West Symphony’s award-winning orchestra members as soloists in various concerts. This year for the first time, New West Symphony is offering three subscription packages to provide more choices and access for their patrons. The season will delight and inspire you.”
Each Masterpiece Series concert will be presented twice. Performances will take place on Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at Thousand Oaks Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, and Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. at Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center, 4235 Mar Vista Drive in Camarillo.
For tickets and more information, visit NewWestSymphony.org.