Recent Concerts
Ensemble Monterey Kicks Off the 2024-25 Season with A Dream of Flight
We had a fantastic start to Ensemble Monterey’s Thirty-Second Season with our opening concert, A Dream of Flight, on September 14 & 15, 2024. This concert was not only the beginning of A Season of Dreams, but also a heartfelt tribute to our esteemed Artistic Director, John Anderson, as he embarks on his final season with the orchestra.
The evening took the audience on a journey through the ethereal and imaginative, with a program that showcased both familiar classics and unique compositions. The concert opened with Maurice Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, which beautifully brought to life timeless fairy tales with delicate and magical orchestration.
Lou Harrison’s Suite for Violin, Piano, and Small Orchestra followed, blending Western and Eastern musical traditions in a joyful and tranquil performance that captivated listeners. The piece’s intricate melodies and cross-cultural influences were highlights of the night.
Next, Gabriel Pierné’s Ballet de Cour added a touch of elegance with its homage to 16th-century French court dances, while still delivering a modern twist that kept the audience engaged.
The concert concluded with Joseph Schwantner’s Sparrows, an evocative and dream-like setting of haiku by the poet Issa. Lori Schulman’s stunning soprano performance brought the composition to life, filling the hall with emotion and depth. The innovative orchestration, combined with the performers’ voices, created an immersive experience that lingered long after the music ended.
We were also blown away by the incredible talent of our student performers. On Saturday, Emma and Abigail Chang, accompanied by Eunha Chung on piano, delivered stunning performances of Tarantella, Op. 23 by William Henry Squire, Concerto in G minor, Op. 12, Movement 1 by Friedrich Seitz, and Vivaldi’s Concerto for Violin and Cello in B♭ Major, RV 547. On Sunday, Oscar Yanez’s masterful rendition of Bach’s Allemande from the Third Cello Suite left the audience in awe.
Showcasing young musicians is a vital part of Ensemble Monterey’s mission, and we are proud to regularly feature talented youth in our performances. Not only does this give emerging musicians a chance to shine on stage, but it also provides their families with the opportunity to attend and celebrate their artistry. Supporting and nurturing young talent is central to our vision, and we were thrilled to see them captivate the audience this weekend.
This unforgettable concert truly set the tone for the season ahead, and we look forward to sharing more dream-filled performances with you throughout the year!
Enjoy a brief video collage of some of the performances below.
Ensemble Monterey Presents Pastures of Heaven: A New Work by EMMY® Award-Winning Composer John Wineglass
Ensemble Monterey Chamber Orchestra premiered Pastures of Heaven, an original composition by EMMY® Award-winning composer John Christopher Wineglass, on February 3 at First Presbyterian Church in Monterey and February 4 at Peace United Church in Santa Cruz. Commissioned to celebrate the orchestra’s 30th anniversary, Pastures of Heaven is a musical tribute to the diverse and enduring spirit of California, drawing inspiration from the landscapes and people of the American West.
Structured in seven movements, Pastures of Heaven carries listeners through California’s rich cultural tapestry, bringing forward the voices of communities that shaped its history—from Mormon pioneers and African American settlers in the opening movement to Native American, Spanish, and Asian cultures whose experiences still resonate in California’s landscape.
Guided by the legacy of Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck, whose works Wineglass grew up reading, the piece evokes the beauty and hardships of the Salinas Valley. As Wineglass recalls, “Each movement… each pasture is a glimpse into a beautiful yet painfully derived landscape that ultimately morphs into a slice of heaven.” In the fifth movement, Wineglass pays special tribute to the Salinas Valley, where Steinbeck’s stories and the composer’s memories intertwine, creating a powerful homage to the region.
The composition was performed by the Ensemble Monterey Chamber Orchestra under the direction of John Anderson, joined by Cantiamo! Cabrillo and the Cabrillo Youth Chorus led by Cheryl Anderson. Together, they delivered a dynamic and moving performance that bridged generations and musical styles, a fitting beginning for the next 30 years of Ensemble Monterey.
Pastures of Heaven is more than a tribute to the past; it embodies the hope and resilience of those who paved the way for California’s future—a celebration of a cultural mosaic that makes up the heart of the Golden State.
For those who couldn’t attend, you can catch a glimpse of this incredible performance through our short video, available below.
Our 30th Anniversary Season Finale in May 2023 celebrated Ensemble Monterey’s 30 years of presenting “The Best Music You’ve Never Heard.”
We enjoyed great performances of the iconic American song set, Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs. From I Got Me a Mule to Shall We Gather at the River, this 30-minute set is quintessential Americana and was beautifully performed by operatic tenor Daniel Ebbers.
For the second half of the program, our long-time collaborator, Cantiamo! Cabrillo joined in presenting Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy. It utilized the full orchestra, chorus, vocal soloists, and an all-time over-the-top piano solo that Beethoven wrote to play himself. Beethoven composed it to be the conclusion of one of the most famous concerts in history. Our piano soloist for this concert was internationally acclaimed Hilda Huang. She has soloed at the Leipzig Gewandhaus and with Nicholas McGegan and the Philharmonia Baroque, and she was eager for this rare opportunity to perform the Beethoven Choral Fantasy.
Cantiamo! also presented Komm, Jesu, Komm by Johann Sebastian Bach and Abendlied by Franz Joseph Hayden, and the Cabrillo Youth Chorus took the stage with five short and fun selections to complete the program.
Enjoy some photos of the performances below!
In February of 2022, Ensemble Monterey, Cantiamo Cabrillo, and the Cabrillo Youth Chorus had the privilege of presenting the world premiere of Befana: A Christmas Fable, composed by internationally renowned California composer, Kirke Mechem.
The production was a huge hit with our audiences, and the story deeply touched all our lives. Ensemble Monterey and The Cabrillo Vocal Music and Theater Arts Departments thank you for your support of “Befana: A Christmas Fable!” It meant the world to us!
Ensemble Monterey is delighted to have been a frequent participant in Monterey County Gives throughout the years- this year’s fundraiser begins December 1st! Giving to Ensemble Monterey through MC Gives increases the value donations by as much as 15%.
Thank you to all our generous donors who gave through Monterey County Gives- we raised over $25,000 for the 21-22 concert season!
OR Facebook button link. Click the play button.
Concert 3
Concert 2
We opened our 28th Season with a free, live-streamed concert from the beautiful
Lester Estate Wines vineyard in Aptos, California on October 25th.
A special thanks to Lester Estate Wines for the use of their beautiful vineyard as the venue for this concert.
OR the Facebook button link. Then, click the play button.
With deep appreciation, Ensemble Monterey is supported by:
Media Sponsor
Maestro John Anderson says “As always, I am deeply grateful to you, our constantly loyal audience, for making these 30 years possible. It is our greatest joy to play for you! If you are new to our concert series, prepare to be surprised. For our returning friends, welcome back! Remember- I won’t start the concert without you!”