The Pacific Symphony plays Ravel and Berlioz at Segerstrom Concert Hall

Segerstrom Concert Hall. (NPDOC/flickr)

The Pacific Symphony presented Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique” and Ravel’s “Piano Concerto in G Major” performed by pianist Alain Lefèvre, Feb. 8th, at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Music is an art in which we find ourselves diving into everyday at least. In the car, in our homes, on our phones, commercials on television, etc. Sometimes we even find ourselves humming a favorite tune.

Music as is art in general sometimes has been seen as not important in the process of education. Many have trodden down on the idea that it can actually be a route for a possible career in someone’s life. Even if we weren’t delving into the arts for our careers music is of much importance due to the known facts of its soothing and inspiring nature. Even if we were to just listen to some music in our headphones once a day this can be a way to escape for many. Better yet why not enjoy a live performance, where at you might ask locally.

The Segerstrom Concert Hall, was built in the late 1980’s and was recently renovated in 2017. The Pacific Symphony has been the resident orchestra of the Hall for a bit over a decade now where they perform many classical pieces to popular pieces such as the Star Wars soundtrack.

The concert hall itself is a very unique hall due to the features it contains inside for amazing acoustics. The side walls of the hall itself inside the venue have opening doors which open to an empty space. Above the seating of the hall itself one can see the metal structure which seems to float above. The wave like metal strips are another component for the amazing acoustics that can be heard during every performance.

The Segerstrom Concert Hall contains 2,000 seats for guests along with a traditional William J. Gillespie Concert Organ. This organ holds 4,322 pipes and 75 stops, including 57 individual voices, 4 manual keyboards with 61 notes each and 1 pedal keyboard with 32 notes.

The Pacific Symphony’s conductor is Carl St. Clair, 66, America’s longest serving Orchestra conductor. This past fall St. Clair announced his 30th season in the symphony. He did not expect to be conducting for so long. His career began in 1990 for the Pacific Symphony where he assisted in the thriving of the symphony’s accomplishments. Under his direction the symphony has been played in Carnegie Hall of their sold-out debut celebrating the 80th birthday of Phillip Glass.

In Saturday’s performance Ravel’s concerto piano piece was played by composer and pianist Alain Lefevre. Lefevre was born in Poitiers, France and was introduced to the piano at the age of 4 years old, by his father.

Lefevre has played with many prestigious groups such as: the Royal Philharmonic, the National Symphony based in Washington D.C., Philharmonie de Lorraine, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo, many more.

During Saturday’s performance Lefevre expressed much love and prayers to those suffering from the coronavirus in China. He says he has played in the country many times and loves the beauty of it. Lefevre played a piano piece he composed, by the name “The Magic Panda,” dedicating it to the people of China during this time. Uniquely the piece he shared only uses the black keys of the piano.

The Pacific Symphony is the Segerstrom Concert Halls resident Symphony. Just in Costa Mesa this venue is local and something in which we can support as a community. With a variety of events weekly there is something for everyone to enjoy.

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