Sequoia Symphony Orchestra

The Sequoia Symphony will end the season with the well-known and popular Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony—performed at a different time and venue. Because of the large choir needed to perform the work, the concert has been moved to L.J. Williams Theatre in Visalia on a Sunday afternoon, 3 p.m. on April 22.
      Beethoven had long thought of setting Schiller’s “Ode to Joy” to music, but it took him over 30 years to actually complete the work. The story of its premiere is a famous one. Because of his deafness, Beethoven could not conduct the piece. However he sat on stage following the score. The audience response was resounding, but Beethoven was so engrossed in the score, he didn’t notice the performance had ended. A soloist had to nudge and turn him so that he could see the audience wildly applauding and waving handkerchiefs.
      Three of the four soloists are from the Valley: soprano Julia Grizzell, tenor Zachary Sheely and baritone Limuel Forgey. Mezzo soprano Alexandra Jerinic is from the Bay Area.
      Joining them will be the College of the Sequoias Concert Choir and Sequoia Chamber Chorale directed by John Sorber.
      Also on the program is Mendelssohn’s “Violin Concert in E Minor,” considered one of the four great violin concertos of the 19^th century. Guest violinist is YuEun Kim from Seoul, Korea.
      After earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the prestigious Seoul National University, Kim was selected for the Artist Diploma program at the USC-Thornton School of Music in L.A., which only accepts four students. Since graduating last May, Kim has been performing in California.
      The concert begins at 3 p.m., but the audience is encouraged to come to music director Bruce Kiesling’s preview at 2:15 p.m. to learn more about the composers and music.
      Tickets are $22 to $45 at the symphony office, 208 W. Main Street, Suite D, Visalia, downstairs in Montgomery Square. Student prices are $10. Tickets are also available at 732-8600 or go to www.sequoiasymphonyorchestra.com.