Season opener presents world-class talent - New 'Music Insights' series to be offered

FALLBROOK — Fallbrook Music Society launches its 2009-2010 season with a concert that showcases world-class music in a program by the renowned Redlands Symphony that features music by father and son Leopold and Amadeus Mozart.

The concert will take place on Sunday, November 8, at 3 p.m. There will be a conductor’s preview at 2:30 that is open to all ticket holders.

Combined with the intricate and concise music of sweeping compositions of Haydn and Beethoven, the Mozart works represent the very light and humorous side of the classical period.

The program includes Leopold’s “Sinfonia Pastorella” in G Major for alphorn and string orchestra, Amadeus’s Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat Major KV. 447, Haydn’s Symphony No. 31 in D Major (“Horn Signal”) and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93.

A rare treat will be a performance on the alphorn, which is not a usual instrument of the orchestra but rather an instrument traditionally associated with European herdsmen.

Its fascinating, rustic sound is well suited to the pastorelle to be played.

Guest soloist Willi Schwaiger is the principal horn player with Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg in Austria. His special areas of study include works of Mozart and Haydn.

Schwaiger became the solo French horn of the Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra in 1987 and has since worked with a long list of illustrious conductors.

He has performed as a soloist with many world orchestras and toured extensively within Europe, Japan, the United States, Canada and South America.

New this year, all concert ticket holders will have an opportunity to hear Fallbrook Music Society President Brenda Montiel present a pre-concert lecture at “Music Insights.”

Through this free lecture series, patrons will be able to gain musical insight and broaden their classical musical experiences.

Dr. Montiel will delve into the intricacies of the upcoming performance in an informative and engaging way, combining an overview of the classical music style, musical illustrations and an examination of the repertoire to be performed.

Experts and novices alike will enjoy this new program of casual musical conversation.

Dr. Montiel’s extensive knowledge has distinguished her as a classical music authority. She is Professor Emerita of Music and Humanities at Palomar College, holds a Master of Music degree and has a Doctor of Philosophy in music and education.

The aim of the “Music Insights” series is to enhance music appreciation by exploring the worlds of the great composers.

Because each lecture will be self-contained, concertgoers can participate in one or more lectures as they wish.

“Music Insights” is free of charge (by reservation) to all ticket holders and will be held at the Bob Burton Center for the Performing Arts (choral room) from 2 to 4 p.m., the first on Saturday, October 31.

Concert tickets and “Music Insights” reservations can be made by calling (760) 451-8644 or e-mailing [email protected].

For more information about Fallbrook Music Society and other upcoming concerts, go to http://www.fallbrookmusicsociety.org.