Hang on: The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra season kicks off Nov. 9

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - Oct. 29, 2014 - PRLog -- The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra -- the Port City’s very own assemblage of more than 65 talented instrumentalists 17 years strong -- is embarking on  another season to thrill, chill and carry you away from the everyday.

Setting quickly upon us is the Sunday, Nov. 9, 3 p.m., Sibelius Finlandia; Brahms Symphony No 2.; and Rodrigo Concierto de Aranjuez with José Lezcano. The lyrical and sensual Rodrigo guitar concerto paired with Brahms' sunniest and cheeriest symphony all served with a cold blast of Finnish nationalism to set the season in motion. Of very special note is a pre-performance lecture by well-known Seacoast horn player Chris Klaxton. The 2 p.m. lecture entitled “Concerto de Aranjuez: Gil Evans and Miles Davis' reworking of Rodrigo's Classic Composition,” will feature examples utilizing Klaxton’s trumpet skills as well as pre-recorded material.

The season continues Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 with a 7:30 p.m. performance of Family Holiday Pops with special guests the York High School Chamber Singers (Dec. 2) and the Portsmouth High School Concert Choir (Dec. 3). Packed with holiday favorites, sing-a-longs and special guests it’s the perfect way to get in the holiday mood. (Book early before it sells out!)

Hopping into the new year, PSO has a March 15 - 2 p.m. pre-concert lecture, 3 p.m. performance of Gershwin, Debussy, Ravel & Mussorgsky. Vibrant colors, wild imagination and sheer, unadulterated "cool" - from taxi horns to a Crown Royal whisky bottle bag used as a trumpet mute!

Come May 31, look forward to the season finale with a 2 p.m. pre-concert lecture, 3 p.m. performance of Holst, Williams, Strauss & the PSO Concerto Competition Winner. The program includes Holst - Mars, Venus, Jupiter from the Planets; Williams - Star Wars suite; Strauss - Till Eulenspiegel; and the Concerto Competion winner. The night is sure to be stellar! From our own galaxy ... to one far, far away including a solo performance by a young rising star.

JUST RELEASED! Bringing us back home to a more current celebration: be sure to mark your calendar for the listening party for the PSO’s inaugural recording. The album, released by PARMA Recordings, is “Symphonie Fantastique,” and the release party takes place Wednesday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth.

According to the PARMA Recordings blog: This digital release captures a powerful live performance by PSO conductor John Page and the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra. Recorded by PARMA Live on June 2, 2013 at the orchestra's 2012-13 season finale at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, Berlioz's dramatic work is given a compelling, dark, and ominous reading in the skilled hands of Page and the PSO.

Individual Performance Tickets

Tickets are $25 (adult), $22 (senior) or $12 (student). All seating is general admission. Tickets to individual performances can be ordered from The Music Hall Box Office (http://www.themusichall.org/calendar/#search:portsmouth%2...) on-line, in person, or by calling 436-2400. Please note that the The Music Hall Box Office adds an additional $5 fee per ticket for phone and on-line orders. To avoid this fee purchase the tickets from the Box Office in person, via mail or directly from an orchestra member.

Symphony & Dinner Package

The Symphony & Dinner package offers patrons a ticket to the symphony followed by a 3-course prix fixe dinner at Radici for $45 per person. To make a reservation, contact Radici at www.radicirestaurant.com/pso or call 373-6464.

Season Subscriptions

Order a season subscription and save up to 20 percent off of box office ticket prices. Subscription tickets will be mailed to your home. Use the form below to order subscriptions and pay via credit card.

All shows, except the Nov. 12 listening party, are at The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth.

For information, visit http://www.portsmouthsymphony.org/.