Spring Concerts
Our Spring Concert Series is highlighted by one of the seminal orchestral works of the entire 20th century: Stravinsky's Petrouchka. Composed in 1911 and performed that year for the first time in Paris by the Ballets Russes to wild acclaim, Petrouchka is a tour-de-force of orchestral writing. As it weaves its fantastical story of love, jealousy, and murder between three puppets who magically come to life during the Shrovetide Fair in St. Petersburg in the 1820s, the work vividly depicts the totality of both the real world of 19th century Russia as well as the magical interior world of the puppets. Our March concert series will also feature CYS Young Artist Competition winner Parker Van Ostrand performing Beethoven's sparkling Piano Concerto no. 2 in Bb Major, and Ravel's exotic and atmospheric Alborada del Gracioso, in which Ravel evokes the sounds and flavors of Spain to great effect.
Leo Eylar, conductor
Parker Van Ostrand, piano
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 (Parker Van Ostrand, soloist)
Stravinsky: Petrouchka
Prior to the performance, be sure to check out Maestro Eylar's interactive Igor Stravinsky webpage. Featuring program notes, commentary, photos, videos, questions and answers, and more clickable content, it’s the perfect way to prepare you for the performance. Click here for instant access!
Young Artist Competition Winner
Parker Van Ostrand is an 8th grader at Merryhill School in Sacramento. He began studying piano at the age of four. He performed at Carnegie Hall at age five after winning gold in the AADGT Competition. Since then he has returned to Carnegie Hall twice and has performed in numerous recitals throughout the United States, Singapore, and Japan.
CYS Young Artist Competition
Each spring the California Youth Symphony holds its Young Artist Competition to select soloists for the following season. The Competition is open to pianists and instrumental soloists under age 19. Two young artists will be chosen by a panel of three judges to perform with the CYS Orchestra during the November or March concert series of the following season.
Application form becomes available in January!
