Perhaps the appeal of Christmas music is more about our emotional associations than the actual sounds themselves, the quality of nostalgia, the uplift of positive feelings, and a vague sense of hope for a better future.
Solano Symphony may answer any doubts about the value of December holiday music, when its 2023-24 season continues with the annual Holiday Celebration on Dec. 3 in the Vacaville Peforming Arts Theatre.
With selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” along with holiday favorites from Irving Berlin to Percy Faith and others, this annual tradition is sure to kick off December on a festive note. It’s the perfect performance for the whole family — and an excellent
introduction to the symphony, led by longtime conductor Semyon Lohss.
The program includes Arcangelo Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto,” composed in 1690, and remains his best-known composition. A sonata expanded into five movements, with the last one a rolling pastorale, it is characterized by a slow-fast-slow-fast structure, highlighted by the serene closing movement.
Selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” ballet are nearly always on the symphony’s holiday program and will be heard again, anything from “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and “Russian Dance” to “Arabian” and “Waltz of the Flowers” to Pas de Deux and Final Waltz.
Also included is Sibelius’ “Andante Festivo,” a 1938 piece first written for a string quartet and later arranged for string orchestra and timpani. Like so many of his works, in which nature, or expressions of the natural world, serves as a core, the work is characterized by a near-sacred solemnity. The Finnish composer conducted the premiere of this piece after his retirement, in a 1939 live radio broadcast to the United States on New Year’s Eve.
Of course, Berlin’s “White Christmas” will be on tap and perhaps even the Jewish composer’s “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm.” Other selections include Pola and Wyle’s “The Most Wonderful Time of Year,” tunes by Percy Faith and Leroy Anderson, the latter the composer of “Sleigh Ride” and “Christmas Festival.”
Beyond the Holiday Celebration, the symphony’s 37th season continues with The Salute to Youth Concert on March 24 and consists of two parts. The first features winners of the annual Young Artists Competition, while the second features Solano County high school students. Selected students will perform two pieces. String and wind players will play either a string orchestra or concert band selection. To close out the concert, one full orchestra selection will be performed by all students and symphony musicians.
The annual Pops Concert on May 12 wraps up the season with an assortment of popular pieces, including Massenet’s ballet suite from his 1885 “Le Cid” opera and a medley of tunes from “The Wizard of Oz” by Harold Arlen.
New this season, a special “high tea and symphony” event will be held in the spring. While planning is still underway, the event is tentatively scheduled for early afternoon on Feb. 25 at the Journey Downtown Library in Vacaville. The community is invited to enjoy sparkling wine, a selection of teas and appetizers, and music from orchestra ensemble groups.
IF YOU GO
What: Solano Symphony’s Holiday Celebration
When: 3 p.m. Dec. 3
Where: Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre, 1010 Ulatis Drive
Tickets: $5 for children 14 and under; $15 for students (with proper ID) and active-duty military; $25 seniors (62 and older); and $30 adults and general admission. (A $1 theatre fee is added to the price of each ticket, and the box office opens one hour before the performance.)
Telephone: (707) 469-4013
Online: www.vpat.net or www.solanosymphony.org