Symphony showcases five of its musicians in Hindemith concerto

November 05, 2021

Francesco Lecce-Chong leads the orchestra in a program that puts five of its musicians in the spotlight as soloists. Paul Hindemith's Concerto for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Harp and Orchestra features four principal musicians and one acting principal as follows:

  • Kathleen Lane Reynolds, principal flute
  • Laura Reynolds, principal oboe
  • Roy Zajac, principal clarinet
  • Karla Ekholm, acting principal bassoon
  • Dan Levitan, principal harp

Lecce-Chong said, "One of the great joys of last season's virtual concerts was putting the spotlight on the musicians in our orchestra, so I'm particularly delighted to showcase five of my talented colleagues as soloists on Hindemith's Concerto. Alongside the dazzling and humorous Hindemith are two of the most intensely passionate and beloved works from the repertoire: Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony."

Interesting facts about Showcasing Our Own:

  • At the premiere of Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, the London Times music critic wrote, “The work is wonderful because it seems to lift one into some unknown region of musical thought and feeling … one is never sure whether one is listening to something very old or very new … it cannot be assigned to a time or a school, but it is full of visions.”
  • As a surprise for his wife Gertrude, Hindemith based the third movement of his concerto on the opening phrase of Mendelssohn’s famous “Wedding March” from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
  • Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony, an anthem of perseverance, is his most popular and most performed symphony.

Kathleen Lane Reynolds, flute

SRS Principal flutist Kathleen Lane Reynolds has performed with orchestras and chamber ensembles in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center, and currently performs with the SRS Chamber Players, Sonoma State University Faculty Chamber Music Series, Wind Power Woodwind Quintet, Cinnabar Opera Theater, Mendocino Music Festival, Symphony of the Redwoods and the Noyo Flute Quartet. She received her MM degree at the Manhattan School of Music.

Laura Reynolds, oboe

Laura Reynolds is SRS and California Symphony principal oboist, and plays second oboe and English horn with Marin Symphony, as well as performing with other regional orchestras and Trois Bois. She is on faculty at Sonoma State University, and faculty and senior program manager at San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Reynolds is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Roy Zajac, clarinet

Principal Clarinetist Roy Zajac earned his seat in the SRS orchestra in 1998, while he was in the Air Force Band of the Golden West. He also began playing for other orchestras as a substitute. Zajac teaches and mentors and has seen his students achieve positions in California Allstate (first chair), San Francisco Youth Orchestra and the SRS Youth Orchestra.

Karla Ekholm, bassoon

Second Bassoon with Santa Rosa Symphony since 1996, Karla Ekholm plays principal bassoon with San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, San Francisco Opera Center, Pacific Chamber Orchestra and Vallejo Symphony, as well as playing second bassoon with Marin Symphony and Eastern Music Festival Orchestra. Ekholm studied with Walter Green at San Francisco State University and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She holds a Masters of Music from Temple University where she studied with Bernard Garfield.

Dan Levitan, harp

Principal Harpist Dan Levitan began playing harp in high school. His two-year preparation and participation in the 10th International Harp Contest in Israel taught Dan how to perform at the highest level of music. He has performed with most Northern California professional orchestras from Mendocino to Carmel, is principal harp for Symphony Silicon Valley and Marin Symphony, and first-call substitute harpist for the San Francisco Opera Orchestra.

AT A GLANCE / CALENDAR LISTING:

WHAT: Santa Rosa Symphony concert "Showcasing Our Own"

WHO: Santa Rosa Symphony

WHEN:

  • Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 7:30 PM (Doors at 6:00 PM, Pre-concert talk 6:30 PM-7:00 PM)
  • (Discovery Open Rehearsal, Saturday, December 4, at 2:00 PM – no talk)
  • Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 3:00 PM (Doors at 1:30 PM, Pre-concert talk 2:00 PM-2:30 PM)
  • Monday, December 6, 2021 at 7:30 PM (Doors at 6:00 PM, Pre-concert talk 6:30 PM-7:00 PM)

WHERE: Weill Hall, Green Music Center, Sonoma State University

TICKET PRICES:

  • Tickets begin at $24 for Saturday and Monday evening and Sunday afternoon performances
  • Discovery Open Rehearsal ticket prices: $18 / adult; $10 / youth (7-17 years of age)

TICKETS: (707) 546-8742, srsymphony.org or by email at tickets@srsymphony.org (Weekdays 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, opening at 10:30 AM Wednesdays)