Season 51
2002-2003
Senior Orchestra Roster
Associate Orchestra Roster
Seniors
November 2002 Senior Orchestra Concert
Concert Program Overview
The California Youth Symphony inaugurated its 51st season in November 2002 with a pair of masterful performances under the baton of Music Director Leo Eylar. The concert series, held on November 10th at the Flint Center in Cupertino and November 17th at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center, presented a sophisticated program that seamlessly bridged the gap between 20th-century American modernism and the grandeur of German Romanticism.
The program opened with the infectious energy of Leonard Bernstein’s complete ballet score, Fancy Free. Our musicians rose to the challenge of Bernstein's complex, jazz-inflected rhythms, vividly portraying the tale of three sailors on shore leave in 1944 New York through a series of spirited dance variations. This vibrant beginning was followed by Paul Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber. A true orchestral showpiece, the work allowed each section of the symphony to shine, from the exotic, percussion-driven textures of the "Turandot" Scherzo to the triumphant and rhythmically driving March that brought the first half of the program to a thrilling close.
The afternoon reached its emotional and technical peak with Johannes Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 83. This monumental work, often described as a "symphony with piano obbligato," required an extraordinary level of synergy between the orchestra and the soloist. Across its four expansive movements, the CYS musicians provided a rich, symphonic tapestry that supported the intricate and demanding piano part, resulting in a performance that honored the deep intellectual and lyrical spirit of Brahms' maturity.
Featured Soloist: Natasha Paremski (Piano)
The highlight of these opening concerts was the appearance of fifteen-year-old piano sensation Natasha Paremski, the winner of the 2002 CYS Young Artist Competition.
Born in Moscow, Natasha began her musical journey at the age of four before moving to the United States in 1995. At the time of her performance with CYS, she was already a young artist of international standing, having secured top prizes at prestigious competitions including the Bronislaw Kaper Awards and festivals in Argentina and Italy. Her interpretation of the Brahms Second Piano Concerto—a work noted for its immense physical and musical demands—displayed a maturity far beyond her years. Watching Natasha’s career flourish on the world stage in the years since has been a point of immense pride for the CYS community, as her performance in Season 51 remains a shining example of the world-class talent nurtured within our ranks.
March 2003 Associate Orchestra Concert
May 2003 Concert
Concert Program Overview
In May 2003, the California Youth Symphony brought its 51st season to a triumphant close with a series of performances that showcased the orchestra’s remarkable stylistic range. Conducted by Leo Eylar, the program featured a masterfully curated selection of works, ranging from the eerie folklore of Bohemia to the rhythmic vitality of American jazz and the profound introspection of 20th-century Russian symphonism.
The concert opened with Antonin Dvořák’s vivid symphonic poem, The Noon Witch, a dramatic work based on a chilling Czech folk ballad that tested the orchestra’s ability to convey narrative through shifting orchestral colors. This was followed by Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto, a piece commissioned by the legendary Benny Goodman. The concerto’s seamless fusion of bittersweet lyricism and exuberant jazz elements provided a vibrant contrast to the program’s more somber moments.
The second half of the program featured the first movement of Dvořák’s monumental Cello Concerto in B Minor, celebrated as one of the most splendid works ever composed for the instrument. The season concluded with Dmitri Shostakovich’s final symphonic statement, his Symphony No. 15 in A Major. A work filled with mysterious musical quotations and riddles, it allowed the musicians to explore a complex emotional landscape—from the playful, "toyshop" atmosphere of the first movement to the profound, birth-to-death meditations that define this enigmatic masterpiece.
Featured Soloists: 2003 Senior Soloist Competition Winners
The May 2003 concerts were distinguished by the performances of two exceptional young musicians, both of whom were named winners of the 2003 CYS Senior Soloist Competition. As principal players within the orchestra, they represented the pinnacle of student leadership and artistic excellence at CYS.
Thomas McCarthy (Clarinet): As the principal clarinetist of the CYS Orchestra, Tom’s journey with the organization began years earlier when he joined the Associate Orchestra as a sixth grader. Beyond his musical contributions, he served as the President of the CYS Musicians’ Council, demonstrating a deep commitment to the CYS community. A student of Don Carroll, Tom was no stranger to the spotlight, having won his first concerto competition at age ten. His resume included top honors from the Peninsula Symphony and the San Francisco Concerto Orchestra, as well as serving as principal clarinet for both the National High School Honors Orchestra and the All-State Honor Orchestra. Following his graduation from Crystal Springs Uplands School, Tom planned to continue his dedication to the arts as a music major in college.
