Redlands Symphony to perform 'Northern Lights' - Event includes free, pre-concert seminar by conductor

FALLBROOK – On Sunday, Jan. 26, Conductor Jon Robertson returns to Fallbrook to lead the Redlands Symphony in “Northern Lights” – a program that offers emotionally expressive works written by famed Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, and Norwegian composer and pianist Edvard Grieg – Scandinavian masters widely considered to be two of the leading Romantic-era composers whose works are part of the standard classical repertoire worldwide.

Fallbrook Music Society’s program will illuminate the winter’s darkness with pieces that are passionate and expressive: Grieg’s powerful Piano Concerto, which incorporates the sounds of Norwegian folk dance, Sibelius’ most well-known composition, “Finlandia.” The orchestra will also perform Sibelius’ remarkable, patriotic Symphony No. 2, which made the composer a hero in his native Finland as it was connected with Finland’s struggle for independence from Russia.

Pianist Lisa Leonard will join Redlands Symphony to play the Grieg Piano Concerto – her first performance of this piece since 1990 when at the age of 17 she made her debut with the National Symphony Orchestra in six concerts at the Kennedy Center. Hailed as a pianist who “communicates deep artistic understanding through a powerful and virtuosic technique,” Leonard enjoys a diverse career as a soloist, chamber musician and pianist.

As a special feature for this concert, all ticketholders are invited to attend a free, dynamic, pre-concert seminar, “The Art of Practice” presented by legendary Redlands Symphony Conductor Jon Robertson. Seminar participants will learn all about the Juilliard method of scoring music, how it impacts practice, and how it influences professional musicians and their performances. Music lovers, students, and anyone interested in knowing more about how ‘practice’ is the key to becoming a great professional musician will want to attend. The seminar will be held at 2 p.m. in the Bob Burton Center, one hour prior to the concert.

The concert will be held at 3 p.m. in the Bob Burton Center for the Performing Arts, 2400 S. Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook.

Tickets and seminar registration are available by calling Fallbrook Music Society at (760) 451-8644. Tickets for this concert can also be purchased online at

http://www.fallbrookmusicsociety.org.