Psso Winter Concert

PSSO continues its 16th season celebrating the music of Tchaikovsky. This concert features a wide range of works by this celebrated composer. We open with the Polonaise from Eugene Onegin. This opera tells the tale of a selfish hero who rejects the love of an unsophisticated country girl named Tatyana, only to have the tables turned after she blossoms into a worldly woman. This Polonaise opens the third act, set in a grand ballroom. The next work on our program was completed in the same year as Eugene Onegin. Tchaikovsky was in serious recovery from the depression brought on from his disastrous marriage to Antonina Miliukova. Fighting the inner turmoil of his homosexuality, he retreated to Lake Geneva to complete what is now a seminal work in the violin concerto repertoire. I’m particularly excited to be working with our soloist and student solo competition winner, Annie Pham. At only 15 years old, she is a marvelously gifted individual who will have you at the edge of your seat. To conclude the concert, we fast forward 15 years to the time when he completed his 6th and final symphony. This work presents an entirely different side of Tchikovsky, weaving from somber emotive melodies to uplifting dance music to triumphant fanfare. Underpinning the entire symphony is a powerful emotional undercurrent, which explains its Pathtique designation. Given the slow, dying- away ending, some consider this piece a self-described obituary, especially given the composer conducted the its performance nine days before his death. Certainly one cannot ignore the parallels drawn between the turmoil expressed in this symphony and those experienced in his life. Music director Alan Shen founded the all-volunteer orchestra in 1999 with a vision of sharing fun, musically inspiring concerts at prices affordable to anyone. PSSO has since performed over 50 concerts to audiences exceeding 500 attendees, entertaining long-time patrons and new fans alike. Already a budget-friendly classical music experience, PSSO is pleased to begin extending its student/senior discount ticket prices to veterans and military personnel in commemoration of Veterans Day and Military Family Appreciation Month. Join us Saturday, Feb 28 at 7:30 p.m. for a thrilling evening of Tchaikovsky!