The Santa Rosa Symphony has announced Ellen as Artistic Partner in the second half of the 2020-21 season:
“During the remainder of the 2020-2021 season, Francesco and SRS orchestra musicians, observing all health and safety protocols, will perform on the Weill Hall stage for five more enhanced concert experiences, recorded for streaming on YouTube.
“The Symphony welcomes legendary composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich as its Artistic Partner. The first female composer to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music (1983), Zwilich is a prolific composer whose works, which enjoy a wide appeal with their unique signature style, have been performed by most of the leading American orchestras and Internationally by major ensembles. Her list of awards is heady and long, and includes two Grammy nominations. Each of the upcoming five SRS @ Home concerts features a Zwilich work, including her beloved Peanuts Gallery in our season-ending finale. In addition, she brings her vision, expertise and experience, as she takes an active role with the orchestra, Francesco and the community over the course of the season.”
Ellen and SRS Music Director Francesco Lecce-Chong talk about the partnership and the five works to be performed on the spring programs in two videos on the SRS site - watch here.
Here are the works to be performed; click on the dates for full program information:
January 24, 2021 - Concerto Grosso for Chamber Orchestra
February 28, 2021 - Prologue and Variations for String Orchestra
March 28, 2021 - Concerto for Cello and Orchestra with guest soloist Zuill Bailey
April 28, 2021 - Romance for Violin and Orchestra with guest soloist Joseph Edelberg
May 16, 2021 - Peanuts Gallery for Piano and Orchestra