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.
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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
Cleo Bauer
Fresno Phil is always a great concert!
Susan McAndrew
It would be delightful to attend this Latin flavor program of the Fresno Phil.
Thanks.