'Firebird' next family concert for Pacific Symphony youth

Tales of the mythical “Firebird” have captivated the imagination of people around the world for centuries—including the great Russian composer, Igor Stravinsky, who was so inspired that he wrote one of his most compelling works. Stravinsky’s famous rendition becomes the basis for Pacific Symphony’s next family concert, which tells the story of an adventure in a magical realm by Prince Ivan, who falls in love with a beautiful princess and encounters an enchanted and mysterious Firebird that helps him defeat the evil Kashchei. Taking place on March 20, at 10 and 11:30 a.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, “Firebird Fairy Tale,” is the fourth concert in the 2009-10 Family Musical Mornings series, presented by Farmers & Merchants Bank, and includes Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO) musicians performing “side-by-side” with the Symphony musicians, led by Assistant Conductor Maxim Eshkenazy. For tickets ($19-$36) or information, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.pacificsymphony.org.

“The story of the Firebird is one of my favorite fairytales—one which I first heard from my brother as a very young kid,” says Maestro Eshkenazy. “It’s a very colorful, engaging and beautiful fairytale from old Russia. And for a change, I will be telling the story as myself, instead of playing a role. We’ll illuminate the story through music, ballet dancing and images projected on the screen.” The images are from the children’s book, “The Firebird,” by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Vladimir Vagin (2002), which are being shown on the big screen above the stage during the concert. The performance also features dancers from the Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy, the official ballet school of the Orange County Ballet Theatre.

“Originally, Stravinsky’s ‘Firebird’ was written as a full-length ballet,” continues Eshkenazy. “These days, you typically hear the suite from the ballet played in the concert hall, as opposed to the whole piece, so I thought why not go in a different direction and add dancers to the suite? They will be dancing in the old-style Russian tradition. And we also have a side-by-side with the PSYO musicians—what better way to introduce youngsters to music than with other kids playing at a very high level?”

The Symphony’s Musical Carnival begins at 9 a.m. (for those attending the 10 a.m. performance) and at 12:15 p.m. (for those attending the 11:30 a.m. concert) with not only the chance to meet the dancers, but also the musicians, and it also includes an instrument petting zoo with instruments from every family of the orchestra. Generally, each Musical Carnival spotlights an instrument for kids to learn about, but for this concert the spotlight is on members of the PSYO.

“Our goal for this concert is to transport the audience to a magical place in every way possible,” says Mollie Gilmore, manager of educational concerts and family programs. “To really bring the story to life visually, we’re partnering with some young and talented dancers—and children will have the chance to meet them up-close-and-personal before and after the concert. Kids get to see their peers playing instruments, and maybe get inspired to pick one up and start playing themselves,” adds Gilmore.

This season’s Family series line-up continues on April 17 with “Orchestra from Planet X,” featuring special guest “The Magic Circle Mime Company,” back by popular demand! What happens when two aliens descend on the concert hall with their own ideas—and inventions—for influencing “Earth Music”? Children and their families find out as these musical worlds collide.