Cd'A Symphony celebrates 40 years, new conductor

The first concert of Coeur d’Alene Symphony’s 40th season will feature the symphony’s new artistic director and conductor Jan Pellant.

The season premier will be performed Friday, Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. at the Salvation Army Kroc Center, 1765 W. Golf Course Road.

The first concert, entitled “Nineteenth Century Grandeur,” will open with Borodin’s “In the Steppes of Central Asia,” a concert favorite depicting an interaction of Russians and Asians in the steppe lands of the Caucasus. The opening theme, representing the Russians, is followed by an ornamented eastern melody which is the Asians. Throughout is a traveling theme.

Next up, a former Coeur d’Alene Young Artist winner, Felicity James, will be featured. James will play the virtuosic Glazunov Violin Concerto. She has appeared as soloist with many other prominent orchestras of the Pacific Northwest, including the Seattle Philharmonic, the Spokane Symphony and the Seattle Symphony. She currently studies with Robert Lipsett at the Colburn Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles, where she is pursuing her Bachelor of Music degree.

The final piece of this concert will be Brahms Symphony No 1.

Concert-goers are invited to attend a brief concert lecture by Jan Pellant that will begin at the Kroc Center 45 minutes before the concert.

Season tickets are available for the new season. All concerts are at the Kroc Center.

Other concerts this season include:

“Holiday Joy from Scandinavia” — Friday, Nov. 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m.

The symphony will be joined by Chorale Coeur d’Alene for selections from the “Messiah” and some other holiday favorites, as well as Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5.

“Classical Family Fun: Bolero and More!” — Friday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m.

The symphony will join with the North Idaho Youth Symphony as they play side-by-side selections from Ravel’s “Mother Goose Suite,” Britten’s “Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra,” and Ravel’s “Bolero.” Beeson’s “Prometheus Rapture” will feature the symphony’s own Chris Grant on snare drum. Winners of the Youth Melody Contest (all students up to grade 6 from Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Benewah and Shoshone counties are eligible to enter) will be featured. Melodies are due in the symphony office, 2775 N. Howard St., Suite No. 2, Coeur d’Alene, by Oct. 12. Visit www.cdasymphony.org for details.

“Discovering Prodigies with Young Artists” — Friday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday March 9 at 2 p.m.

This concert features the winners of the symphony’s National Young Artist’s Competition, brilliant performers from all over the globe.

“Sounds of Magic” — Friday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 4 at 2 p.m.

The season finale features the symphony’s Sheila McCallum on alto saxophone playing the Glazunov Saxophone Concerto, as well as Dukas’ “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and Respighi’s “Pines of Rome.”

Season Tickets (five subscription concerts) are available through Oct. 7.

$90 adults, $67.50 seniors (65-plus), $45 Youth & Students w/ID

Tickets are available from the Symphony Office (208-765-3833) or online at www.cdasymphony.org

For further information, call the office at 208-765-3833 (office hours are M-Th 10-12).