Following a tremendously successful year, the Riverside County Philharmonic announces its 2006-2007 Season.   New brochures are available and patrons may also request a free Season Sampler CD with commentary by Patrick Flynn, the Philharmonic's Music Director.  Mr. Flynn is committed to this season’s theme:

"Great music in any language is more than a slogan. Our 06-07 Season unites our many divergent cultures with the ultimate uniter, great music. It is about giving something larger than ourselves, creating a legacy of joy, touching those hidden parts of us that are real and reminding everybody about the truth of who Americans really are at a time when the great good of this country is so misunderstood."

Bad Boy Beethoven is Back! opens the 2006-2007 Series on Saturday, October 7 with South African pianist Anton Nel. A renowned Beethoven specialist, Mr. Nel will perform Beethoven’s passionate Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor. Tchaikovsky's beloved Symphony No. 4 will conclude the concert, which will be repeated at the Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Arrowhead on October 8, at 3:00 P.M.

The second concert of the season, Unexpectedly Wild, is on November 18 and features Robert Bonfiglio, the Pavarotti of the harmonica.   Acknowledged around the world for his beautiful tone and soulful musicianship, Mr. Bonfiglio will perform Brazilian composer Heitor Villa Lobos’ exotic Harmonica Concerto and a few solos from his background in blues and rock music.  The program will offer other sonic blockbusters including Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas’ thundering Sensemaya and selections from Stravinsky’s ballet masterwork, The Firebird Suite. 

On January 20, 2007 the season continues with A Joyful Noise. As part of its commitment to showcasing new and emerging talents, the concert features brilliant young prize-winning cellist Young Mi Kim in a performance of Shostakovich’s satiric and triumphant Cello Concerto No. 1. The concert includes selections from Aaron Copland’s Billy the Kid, Enigma Variations by Elgar and the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky.  This performance will feature an electronic fireworks display, the rarely heard choral introduction (with a guest appearance by the Raincross Chorale), and the Bell Ringers of the Riverside First Presbyterian Church.

Our Gala Season Finale is titled A Sendai Celebration.  It is part of the city wide celebration of the 50th Anniversary of our sister city relationship with Sendai, Japan.  The “Promenade” style concert begins at 7:00 P.M. with optional wine and hor d’ouvres and continues with the concert at 8:30 P.M. Returning as our featured soloist after her sensational performance of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto last season is our Concert Master Ilana Setapen, who will perform the heroic Brahms Violin Concerto.  The second half of the concert will feature opera favorites of Puccini, Lehar and Verdi performed by two young Los Angeles singers, Korean tenor Daniel Suk and soprano Devon Guthrie, a Claremont native. 

This comment from Philharmonic Board President Constance Bailey conveys the goal of the season: “The Philharmonic's goal has always been to peak the music interest from all segments of our culturally diverse community.  This year's concert choices cover a broad spectrum ranging from a Russian cello concerto to an American harmonica medley.  Such diversity allows all to explore the music even those who may not be entirely familiar with it.    What a year we have in store!  As always, we could not present such a fantastic selection without the support of our faithful audience and sponsors.”

For more information about the 2006-2007 Season of the Riverside County Philharmonic, please call our office at 951-787-0251, email us at info@thephilharmonic.org.