Enrique Diemecke conductor • Abdiel Vazquez piano

DEFALLA                   Nights in the Gardens of Spain
MEHNDELSSOHN   A  Midsummer Night’s Dream

Manuel de Falla's composition originally began as a set of nocturnes for solo piano, which evolved into a piano and orchestra piece. This work depicts three gardens in three movements: In the Generalife, A Distant Dance, and In the Gardens de la Sierra de Córdoba. Next, we spin the globe to land in Athens with Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream, inspired by the Shakespeare play of the same name. This work features a popular overture and the famous "Wedding March."

Concert Sponsors: Dr. Cathy O. Blight and Edward Davison
Guest Artist Sponsors: Jay and Marilyn Nelson
Preferred Steinway Performance Sponsors: Dr. Brenda Fortunate and C. Edward White

Enrique Diemecke conductor • Amy Ley harp

DEBUSSY          Danses sacree et profane
BEETHOVEN    Symphony No. 6, op. 68, F Major (Pastorale)

Debussy’s Danses sacrée et profane, a solo piece for harp and orchestra, features two contrasting dances that evoke a mystical and spiritual natural world. Beethoven's beloved Pastoral Symphony is a jaunt through the Austrian countryside. 

Concert Sponsors: The Rabinkov Family, Dr. Stuart and Kathy Weiner
Guest Artist Sponsors: Dr. Frederick and Gloria VanDuyne

Enrique Diemecke conductor • Alessio Bax piano

COPLAND         Appalachian Spring: Suite
GRIEG                Piano Concerto, op. 16, A Minor

Aaron Copland is known for creating a quintessential sound reminiscent of the American Frontier. Appalachian Spring paints a vivid picture of the American west, including the Shaker song "Simple Gifts. Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor is the only concerto he ever completed, yet remains one of the most popular piano concerti of all time.

Concert Sponsor: McLaren-Flint
Guest Artist Sponsors: James and Patt Spangler
Preferred Steinway Performance Sponsors: Dr. Brenda Fortunate and C. Edward White

Special Guest conductor • Patti Austin vocalist • Joined by FSO Musicians

Remember and reflect on the brilliant stylings of the First Lady of Song in this jazzy pops tribute.

Patti Austin vocalist 
Grammy award-winning Patti Austin has performed and recorded with Paul Simon, Michael Jackson, and George Benson, among others. In 2002 she released For Ella, featuring 11 of Ella's most popular songs and an original tribute song. Patti holds an Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of Music.

BCO Concert Sponsors: 
Bruin Club of Genesee County, Elga Credit Union, Hamilton Community Health Clinic, Mott Community College, Mr. & Mrs. Dallas C. Dort

Enrique Diemecke conductor • Judy Wu violin

SMETANA         Symphony No. 2
VIVALDI            Le Quattro Stagioni (The Four Seasons)
GINASTERA      Estancia: Three Dances

The program opens with The Moldau, Smetana's symphonic poem following the mighty Vlatva River's flow. Four Seasons, the best known of Vivaldi's works, is a group of four violin concerti written about Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Ginastera's Estancia transports the listener to the Argentinian countryside, complete with riding gauchos (skilled horsemen) and farmers tending the land.
*Family Day Concert

Concert Sponsors: Drs. Paul and Barbara Adams, Dr. Kenneth and Nancy Lee Fawcett, Drs. Venkat & Rama Rao, Carolyn Stubbs and Susan Schneberger, William Hentgen
Guest Artist Sponsor: The Chan Family

Enrique Diemecke conductor • Brandon LePage flute

IBERT                      Flute Concerto
TCHAIKOVSKY     Symphony No. 1, op. 13, G Minor (Winter Daydreams)

Jacques Ibert's Flute Concerto was written in 1933 for celebrated French flutist Marcel Moyse. Ibert sought to showcase the flute's individual and characteristic qualities, from virtuosic running passages to tender, lyrical melodies and jazzy syncopations. Winter Dreams is a celebration of the romance of Winter. The music conjures a sled over fresh snow on a brisk winter morning, the warmth of a fireplace, and even a hint of spring from the flute's birdcalls.

Concert Sponsor: Anonymous Donor #16
Guest Artist Sponsors: Howard and Rita Shand