The Redlands Symphony will continue its exploration of music composed by W. A. Mozart when it performs “THE JOY OF MOZART” under to baton of Maestro Ransom Wilson on Saturday, November 11, 2017 in Memorial Chapel on the campus of the University of Redlands. The concert begins at 8 PM. Doors open at 7 PM and Maestro Wilson will present a pre-concert talk starting at 7:15 PM. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased at the box office at (909) 587-5565, online at www.redlandssymphonycom, or at the door on the night of the concert.
“Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto is full of fun and warmth,” according to Maestro Wilson, “I enjoy showcasing our stellar musicians, and our bassoonist, Carolyn Beck, is one of the best. I can’t wait to hear her and Mozart together!”
The evening’s program includes Symphony No. 24 in B-flat major, K. 182, Basson Concerto, K. 191, performed by the orchestra’s Principal Basson, CAROLYN BECK, Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K 525 and Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201.
Because the concert falls on Veterans Day, the Redlands Symphony is dedicating the evening to the men and women who have served and are serving in uniform to protect America. As part of the tribute, veterans and active duty serve members will receive a 50% discount on the price of a ticket.
“Right now seems an especially important time to honor our men and women in uniform; past, present and future,” explains Maestro Wilson, “ At the Redlands Symphony we express ourselves best through the language of music, so we dedicate this concert to our Veterans. We hop the healing music of Mozart honors you and uplifts us all to a greater spiritual unity.”
The evening will begin with a new arrangement of “The Star-Spangled Banner”, created especially for this performance by Ransom Wilson.
Carolyn Beck
Described as “a fearless player… as well as a musician with a keen sense of phrasing and color” (Gramophone), bassoonist Carolyn Beck is the Principal Bassoonist with the Redlands and San Bernardino Symphonies, and performs with many other orchestras in the Los Angeles area.
Her solo CD "Beck and Call" is available on Crystal Records. She performs not only on her primary instrument, the modern bassoon, but also as a period music specialist playing the baroque bassoon.
A champion of new music, she has commissioned and performed new solo works for bassoon in the United States and Canada. Recent solo performances include playing the Joan Tower bassoon concerto with the Pomona College Orchestra in October 2014, the premiere of the Christopher James’ Bassoon Concerto in New York City in June 2012 with North South Consonance, performances of The Five Sacred Trees, concerto for bassoon and orchestra by John Williams with the Redlands Symphony, and appearances at several International Double Reed Society conferences. She was co-host of the 2013 International Double Reed Society conference in Redlands, California. She was formerly the Principal Bassoonist of the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Orchesta Sinfonica del Principado de Asturias in Spain.
Dr. Beck is a devoted teacher and some of her former bassoon students have gone on to major music schools including Curtis, Eastman, Juilliard, and Manhattan School of Music. Some have won orchestra positions and others have become excellent music educators or excelled in other fields. She currently teaches bassoon at the University of Redlands, Pomona College, and the Idyllwild Arts Academy.
When not playing, teaching, or listening to music, she enjoys reading, swimming, practicing yoga, and hanging out with her husband, trumpet player Bill Peterson.