2025-26 Program Book - Other - Page 9
LETTER FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
LAWRENCE GOLAN
Dear Friends,
One of the most popular and beloved composers of all time, Johann Strauss,
Jr., was born on October 25, 1825, and this year we celebrate his 200th
birthday. Each concert will include a piece by the “Waltz King”, featuring such
favorites as On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Tales from the Vienna Woods, Emperor
Waltzes, Champagne Polka, Thunder and Lightning Polka, and highlights from
his greatest operetta, Die Fledermaus! And since Strauss’s irresistible melodies
and toe-tapping rhythms are literally music designed to move you, several of
the concerts throughout the season will also include dancers from the beloved
local group Dance It Forward.
Some of the non-Strauss highlights of the season include Beethoven's
Symphony No. 6 "Pastorale," Smetana's The Moldau, Duke Ellington's The
River, Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1, music from the opera Carmen, Orff's
Carmina burana, featuring the wonderful York Symphony Chorus, and Don
Quixote by Richard Strauss (no relation), which will feature cellist Yumi Kendall
of the Philadelphia Orchestra and our very own Principal Violist, Timothy
LaCrosse. Other stars from our orchestra that will be featured soloists include
Concertmaster Denise Dillenbeck and Composer/Oboe/English Horn player
Jill Haley.
Music as inspiration for movement is a theme over the course of this exciting
season. The culmination of our collaboration with Dance It Forward will take
place on January 17, 2026, when the theatrical union of music and dance will
be inspired by two incredible pieces: Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring and
Johann Strauss Jr.'s Emperor Waltz.
Our Pops Series starts with a Birthday Extravaganza bang celebrating Strauss'
actual 200th birthday featuring the orchestra, chorus, dancers and vocal
soloists. I will lead several selections with the violin making this performance
sort of like André Rieu...without the hair! But you won’t want to miss our annual
Holiday Pops Spectacular as well as a high-energy concert featuring the music
of female rockers called Women Rock. So much to enjoy! So many reasons to
mark your calendars! So, come join us and, Let’s Dance!
Sincerely,
Lawrence Golan
The Jody and Louis Appell, Jr. Music Director
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