The Sun Valley Summer Symphony season will wrap up its 2011 season with a bevy of performances, from the return of Quartetto Gelato to a Spotlight on Percussion and ending with Mahler's "Symphony No. 1 in D Major."
"We have the same planning process as a year-round orchestra," said Sun Valley Summer Symphony Music Director Alasdair Neale. "The symphony is our world, and it must embrace everything in it."
On Thursday, Aug. 11, Neale will conduct Quartetto Gelato, which will return to the Wood River Valley to perform several classical music compositions. On Friday, Aug. 12, he will conduct Sibelius' "Finlandia," Falla's "Suite No. 2 from The Three-Cornered Hat" and Korngold's "Concerto in D Major for Violin." Guest artist Vadim Gluzman will play violin.
On Saturday, Aug. 13, at 2 p.m. there will be a family concert with a Spotlight on Percussion. On Sunday, Aug. 14, the Musician's Choice Chamber Music Concert will include Mahler's "Piano Quartet in A Minor," Poulenc's "Sextet for Piano and Winds" and Spohr's "Octet in E Major."
Finally, the symphony season will end with Neale conducting Mahler's "Symphony No. 1 in D Major" on Tuesday, Aug. 16.
"It's not easy," he said. "Mahler is never easy. The piece will come alive on glorious Technicolor."
Neale said the fourth season in the pavilion has been a great experience because the orchestra feels comfortable in its new home.
"From day one, it has been an extraordinary experience," he said. "Of course, now, we are delighted to have the big screen. It's here to stay. It's one of the biggest transformations for the orchestra."
Neale said the big screen has transformed concert-going for everyone.
"We are unique in one very important respect," he said. "Nobody does what we do to the level of what we do without charging admission. We are the largest privately funded symphony in the country."
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com