On Sunday afternoon November 11, at 3 p.m., the Topanga Symphony will present its fall concert at the Topanga Community Center with the return of violin virtuoso Aubree Oliverson performing Violin Concerto in d minor, Op. 47 by Jean Sibelius. Also on the program are, Five Pieces for String Orchestra, Op. 44 #4 by Paul Hindemith, and Symphony #41 in C, K. 551 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Ms. Oliverson last performed with the Topanga Symphony in her second appearance with the orchestra on August 27, 2017. Among her many honors, were the 2016 Presidential Scholar in the Arts, and a Young Arts National Winner for Violin Performance, from more than 16,000 applicants nationwide.
Now, at the age of 20, Oliverson loves sharing the joys of music with people of all ages. Passionate about reaching a broader audience, Aubree has traveled to more than 100 schools throughout the Western United States, motivating and inspiring thousands of children to work hard and participate in music. In June 2018 she gave a master class and performance in Wuhan, China, and worked individually with more than thirty young violinists.
She currently studies with Robert Lipsett, the Jascha Heifetz Distinguished Violin Chair at the Colburn Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles. She plays on a Stefano Scarampella violin dated 1920 on generous loan from The Mandell Collection of Southern California.
Violin Concert in d minor, Op. 47 by Jean Sibelius is the only concerto that the Finnish composer and violinist wrote. It is filled with drama, love, is purely virtuosic, and is considered the crowning jewel of a professional player’s repertoire. Sibelius began his love for the violin at age 15 and developed a burning ambition to become a great virtuoso soloist preferring the “the elegant violin bow rather than the pen and ink.” He soon realized that starting violin earlier in life is essential to developing the techniques needed for the exacting career of a virtuoso violinist.
Sibelius resigned his dream and picked up the pen and ink to compose the violin concerto he could only dream of performing. It was first performed in 1904 and is now the most frequently recorded of all violin concertos.
Aubree Oliverson began her violin career at age 6 and has since captured every nuance needed to be a world-famous virtuoso soloist, the goal that eluded Jean Sibelius.
In ancient Roman religion and mythology, Jupiter is the king of the gods, of the sky and thunder. His symbol is the thunderbolt. It has been reported that the first chords of Mozart’s Symphony No 41, in C Major evoke images of Jupiter and his thunderbolts and has been since been nicknamed “The Jupiter Symphony.” It is regarded as among the greatest symphonies in classical music written by the composer, who many believe to be the king of classical compositions.
Topanga Symphony’s master audio recorder, long-time supporter, and Topanga resident Neil Shaw might well be interested in the fact that the first known recording of “The Jupiter Symphony” is from 1913, the dawn of the recording era, making it one of the very first symphonies to be recorded using the earliest technology. Thank you to Mr. Shaw and his continued dedication to the Topanga Symphony.
BECOME A FRIEND OF THE SYMPHONY
In September, the Topanga Symphony held its annual Chamber Music Concert and Silent Auction Fundraiser at the home of Paul and Marianne Bordier. It was a wonderful success thanks to all the people who worked, donated, and attended.
The Topanga Symphony began in 1982 and has presented at least three free concerts every year. It exists only through the donations of time and funds from its members. With the dedication of the talented musicians, enthusiastic audience, and Music Director and Conductor Jerome Kessler, we all keep classical music alive and well in our amazing community.
Encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to attend the concert on November 11 at 3 p.m., for another afternoon of beautiful music, a true gift to the community.
For information on how you can support the Symphony, visit topangasymphony.com.
