Flights of Fantasy

Siamak Aghaei and Colin Jacobsen | Ascending Bird (8’) Andrea Casarrubios | Cello Concerto (20’) IntermissionNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov | Scheherazade, Op. 35 (47’) Running time with intermission is 95 minutes Opening with the spiritually transcendent Ascending Bird, and sweeping the audience into the wonder of Andrea Casarrubios’ commissioned Cello Concerto, Flights of Fantasy traverses the limits of our imagination and reminds us that in the end, no one can resist the seduction of Scheharazade and her 1,001 tales. Tickets start at just $15. Check out our ticket discounts page for information on FREE Orchestra for All tickets. At 6’5” tall, Peled started life as a basketball player and was called “larger than life” and “Jacqueline du Pré in a farmer’s body” when he enveloped his cello. Ascending Bird was arranged by American violinist Colin Jacobsen and Iranian santur player Siamak Aghaei in 2007, designed to fuse Eastern and Western musical traditions. Inspired by a Persian tale, it depicts a bird trying to reach the sun, finally dissolving into it on the third attempt and arising from the ashes as a new creature. Primarily known as a cellist, Andrea Casarrubios also is a composer and the first Spanish classical music composer nominated for a Grammy. Composer Andrea Casarrubios studied cello with soloist Amit Peled. Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844–1908) was a legendary Russian composer and master orchestrator, renowned for Scheherazade and The Flight of the Bumblebee. Scheherazade’s voice is represented by a recurring violin solo often accompanied by a harp, evoking a storyteller's narrative. WATCH Harmonies of Imagination: The Captivating Biography of Korsakov WATCH Ascending Bird is a signature piece by the Silk Road Ensemble, blending traditional Persian folk melody with contemporary classical music to tell a mythical story of spiritual transcendence. WATCH From 2012 through 2018, Peled performed on the Pablo Casals 1733 Goffriller cello, which was loaned to him personally by Casals’ widow, Marta Casals Istomin. He wrote a children’s book called , “A Cello Named Pablo.” ART HISTORY The Phoenix: A Universal Mythical Bird?Cornelis Troost, The Phoenix, 18th century At least a dozen mythical birds have been given the moniker of “phoenix.” They play various rich roles in their cultures, ranging from the familiar self-renewing bird reborn from its own ashes to unfathomable giants who allegedly sank Arab ships. ART HISTORY For Scheherazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov; 1916 Beginning in 1909, Bakst worked mostly as a stage-designer, designing sets for Greek tragedies. In 1908, he gained attention as a scene-painter for Diaghilev with the Ballets Russes. He produced scenery for Cléopâtre (1909) , Scheherazade (1910) , and Daphnis et Chloé (1912) . LISTEN To Yaniv's Flights of Fantasy YouTube Playlist READ BSO Book Club - Arabian Nights and Days MEET US AT THE MOVIES Join us at the Pickford Film Center (more information coming soon) Join us for an engaging and informative Pre-Concert Talk with Dr. Haley Nutt. Now taking place in the Main Theatre, Pre-Concert Talks will take place at 2:00PM from the Main Stage. Doors open at 1:45PM. These talks are free for ticket-holders Have a little one in your life that loves music? Join us for Classical Kids at our dress rehearsals. Learn more and sign up here. First time at the Symphony? Check out our Concert FAQs to find out more about how we share the joy of LIVE music. *All programs subject to change