The Las Vegas Philharmonic begins its first full season with new conductor and musical director Rei Hotoda at the Smith Center on Saturday. The full lineup "is really about celebrating the riches and talent that we have within the orchestra" according to Hotoda, who shares some more thoughts on what audiences can expect in the months ahead.
🎶 Rei Conducts Beethoven, October 17
Beethoven gets top billing with guest pianist Michelle Cann helping to bring the composer's Fifth Piano Concerto to life, but the night also includes "The Star Spangled Banner" (to symbolically kick off the season), "Bright Blue Music" by local composer Michael Torke, and Respighi's "The Fountains and Pines of Rome," which is "going to highlight the winds and brass families of the orchestra. It's going to be really full and intense."
🌲 Handel's Messiah, November 21
The holiday season officially arrives with Handel's "Messiah," featuring a full chorus and four vocal soloists. "It's a real celebration of the birth of Christ … that's been in the concert repertoire for almost 300 years. We all love the 'Hallelujah Chorus.'"
❄️ A Very Vegas Christmas, December 5-6
The winter holidays continue with a show that combines classics like "Sleigh Ride," music from "The Polar Express" ("one of those iconic Christmas movies") and a movement from Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker," which will also be performed in full throughout the month by the Nevada Ballet Theatre (with the Philharmonic joining in Dec. 12-13).
🎻 Rei Conducts Brahms, January 16
Brahms' First Symphony is "one of the most incredible works. Brahms was very influenced by Beethoven … It's highly romantic. It's gorgeous." The night also includes the world premiere of "Exalted Aspirations" by James Lee III — "a historic moment for this orchestra."
🌹 Ravishing Rachmaninoff, February 13
The schedule takes a romantic turn for Valentine's Day weekend, featuring piano soloist Joyce Yang on Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, a familiar piece used in television and movies. "Rachmaninoff was a pianist himself, and in a way, very different from Brahms and Beethoven. It was written in the 20th century, so there are more picturesque elements to it … This one is very lush and gorgeous and really showcases the orchestra in a different way."
🪐 Slatkin Conducts The Planets, March 13
Guest conductor Leonard Slatkin, who preceded Hotoda as music director, leads the Philharmonic for Holst's "The Planets," featuring seven movements inspired by planets in our solar system. It may sound a bit like some of your favorite movie scores. "John Williams was inspired by Respighi, as well as Gustav Holst."
Speaking of which …
🚀 Star Wars in Concert, April 2-3
The original 1977 "Star Wars" film will be shown with the backing of a live orchestra — and tickets are already being snatched up for this one. "There's nothing like live symphonic music, especially when you see it with an iconic movie like 'Star Wars.' The music of John Williams is incredible."
🪈 Bolero, May 22
Ravel's "Bolero" was chosen for the season finale to highlight all members of the Philharmonic. "Once the melody begins, the orchestra starts to add different instruments. At the very end, it's just this incredible sound that you hear when all 80 musicians are playing at once." The night begins with Mozart's Symphony No. 30 and a concerto, featuring two timpanis. "There's something for everyone in this program."
