The Albany Symphony has announced its upcoming December concerts. Starting December 7, Magic of the Season comes to the Palace Theatre with holiday music and family entertainment. The Albany Symphony will perform an afternoon of holiday favorites, dancing, and a sing-along finale.
The orchestra will join forces with community partners for the performance. Magic of the Season features the Capital District Youth Chorale, Irish dancers from Rince Go Brách, young musicians from The Music Studio, and artists from the Northeast Ballet Company.
On December 13 and 14, the newly renovated Troy Savings Bank Music Hall will host the Albany Symphony for holiday performances once again. The program includes Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, performed by soloists Christina Bouey (violin), Ji Weon Ryu (flute), and Yi-heng Yang (harpsichord). A Baroque masterpiece, the Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 is known for its interplay between soloists and orchestra, its harpsichord cadenza, and its dance-like spirit—one of Bach’s most exuberant and innovative works.
Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor is arguably his most dramatic concerto. With its stormy opening and haunting lyricism, the piece stands among Mozart’s most dramatic creations. Admired by Beethoven, it continues to inspire listeners with its emotional depth and contrasts between turbulence and tranquility. Soloist Yi-heng Yang will perform this work.
Haydn’s Symphony No. 94, “The Surprise,” will follow — an audience favorite known for its playful humor. Composed during Haydn’s London period, the symphony earned its nickname from a startling chord in the second movement, designed to awaken and delight listeners.
The concert also features the world premiere of Pocket-Sinfonietta by Isaac Thomas, a 14-year-old composer fascinated by the mysteries of the universe. Learning piano at three, violin at four, and composition at six, Thomas has won first-place awards in national competitions, entered Juilliard’s Pre-College program at age ten, and had works premiered at the Lincoln Memorial, the Sarasota Opera House, and the Kennedy Center.
Students can purchase discount subscriptions and enjoy the full benefits of being a subscriber for as little as $45. To purchase a subscription or single tickets, visit albanysymphony.com.
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