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The Munro Review on CMAC: As 1st Masterworks concert of season approaches, an entire episode with Fresno Phil’s Rei Hotoda

Getting to chat with Rei Hotoda about music is always a pleasure. For this month’s episode of “The Munro Review on CMAC,” I decided to devote the entire episode to an extended interview with the Fresno Philharmonic’s conductor and music director. We preview Sunday’s Masterworks concert (3 p.m. Sept. 25, Saroyan Theatre) and talk about the rest of the 2022-23 season in general. Here’s the episode:

Plus: I’m giving away two pairs of tickets to members of The Munro Review. You can enter the giveaway by leaving a comment on this post. More details on how to enter are below.

Sunday’s concert is titled “Let’s Dance.” The program includes Lalo’s “Symphonie espagnole,” suffused with Spanish dance rhythms, featuring the famed South Korea violinist Chee-Yun; and Rachmaninoff’s enigmatic Symphonic Dances, the composer’s final work.

A highlight will be the premiere of a new orchestral work by Juan Pablo Contreras, who has become favorite of the orchestra and Fresno. (This is his fourth concert in Fresno in recent years.) His “MeChicano” is co-commissioned by the Fresno Philharmonic in partnership with New Music USA’s Amplifying Voices program.

It pays tribute to Selena, Richie Valens, Los Tigres Del Norte and celebrates Mexican-Americans. (I’ve been an avid follower of Juan Pablo ever since I wrote a piece about his collaborations with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.)

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“It’s basically a dance party to start our season,” Hotoda says.

Here’s a Facebook video from Contreras encouraging folks to go to Sunday’s concert:


Fresno Philharmonic tickets giveaway

The contest is open to members, donors and individual sponsors of The Munro Review. I’m giving away two pairs of tickets.

Tax-deductible memberships start at $5 a month, and you can make a one-time donation of as little as $3. (Paid memberships help keep the site running, and paid members get special members-only benefits. Please consider a paid membership in support of independent, local arts journalism.) A free membership option is available.

For details on how to join, go to the Membership and Sponsorship page. No purchase, donation or membership is necessary to enter the ticket giveaway.

To enter the giveaway, leave a reply on this post telling us why you like to dance. (Or just say you’d like the tickets.) Leave your entry in the comment field below. Deadline to enter is 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. The winner will be picked at random and notified by email.


The Munro Review has no paywall but is financially supported by readers who believe in its non-profit mission of bringing professional arts journalism to the central San Joaquin Valley. You can help by signing up for a monthly recurring paid membership or make a one-time donation of as little as $3. All memberships and donations are tax-deductible.

Covering the arts online in the central San Joaquin Valley and beyond. Lover of theater, classical music, visual arts, the literary arts and all creative endeavors. Former Fresno Bee arts critic and columnist. Graduate of Columbia University and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Excited to be exploring the new world of arts journalism.

donaldfresnoarts@gmail.com

Comments (3)

  • Gloria "Gib" Brough

    Music has me dancing in the kitchen, in the garden… And if I’m at work at least toetapping.
    Thanks, Gloria Brough

    reply
  • Cleo Bauer

    Fresno Phil is always a great concert!

    reply
  • Susan McAndrew

    It would be delightful to attend this Latin flavor program of the Fresno Phil.
    Thanks.

    reply

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