• Carson Now on Facebook
  • Follow Carson Now on Twitter
  • Follow Carson Now by RSS
  • Follow Carson Now by Email

Tahoe Symphony Presents Violinist Alex Eisenberg and Rising Star Derek Chien

Event Date: 
July 31, 2019 - 7:00pm

TOCCATA-Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus opens its concert series at the elegant Genoa Lakes Golf Club Ballroom at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 31st with a special program.

Stellar violinist Alex Eisenberg performs Sibelius’ phenomenal “Violin Concerto,” and gifted young pianist Derek Chien presents the first movement of Grieg’s delightful “Piano Concerto in A Minor.”

The orchestra also offers Rossini’s famous “William Tell Overture,” and Tchaikovsky’s passionate “Romeo and Juliet Fantasy.” (Additional performances in South Lake, Reno and Gardnerville, listed below, include Beethoven’s “Symphony #8,” Sibelius, and Rossini.) TOCCATA-Tahoe welcomes back one of our favorite soloists, brilliant violinist Alex Eisenberg.

Having studied at the Moscow Conservatory and in Vienna, he has won numerous prestigious awards, including First Prize in the Michelangelo Abbado Violin Competition in Sondrio, Italy, the Paolo Brociani special prize for chamber music, and the Concorso Internationale Rameu in France.

As a soloist and chamber musician, Alex has performed with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Vienna Soloists, Moscow Symphony, Odessa Philharmonic, Dubrovnik Festival Orchestra, Belgrade Radio Symphony, Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

American critic Olin Downes described Sibelius’ “Violin Concerto” as “bardic songs heard against a background of torches or pagan fires on some wild Northern night.” Sensitive, dreamy melodies are matched by intense and impassioned passages. With fire always lurking just beneath the icy Nordic surface, the piece calls for a super-virtuoso like Alex Eisenberg, who excels at both the technical fireworks and the richest sonorities of the instrument.

Derek Chien, a 16-year-old student at the Davidson Academy for the Profoundly Gifted on the UNR campus, has already won numerous accolades for his piano playing. He received the highest rating at the Northern Nevada Music Teachers’ Association Festival 5 years in a row.

He placed first in the Silver State competition many times, and has frequently won the Steinway Piano, Rotary Music Competition, and other competitions.

He performed this movement of the concerto last February with the UNR Orchestra, after winning the UNR Honors Concerto Competition. Like the Sibelius concerto, Grieg’s delightful “Piano Concerto” seamlessly moves from elegant power to lustrous, warm, heart-melting melodies, to passionate virtuosity.

Hear this young artist while he’s still close by! Everyone has heard something of the “William Tell Overture,” in cartoons or the Lone Ranger. But here’s the whole story. The quiet dawn gives way to the storm, full of wind and thunder. Then comes the familiar, lilting calm, only to be broken off by the famous galloping finale, with blazing brass and busy strings and woodwinds: we’re only sorry we can’t provide hobby horses for the whole audience!

Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture” depicts the timeless story so vividly, you’ll feel as though you’re watching a movie. Sink into the solemn chorales; the contrast between family strife and the lovers’ passion; the wild street scene and fights; and the famous love theme that just keeps getting lusher and more poignant.

Tickets are $30 for adults ($40 preferred seating); $25 for seniors; free for youth under 23 ($15 preferred seating).

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES:
Saturday, July 27, 7:00pm, Reno – Hawkins Amphitheater, Bartley Ranch, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road
Friday, August 2, 7:00pm, South Lake Tahoe – St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1041 Lyons Avenue
Sunday, August 4, 4:00pm, Gardnerville – Carson Valley United Methodist Church, 1375 Centerville Lane

Further information: Please call 775-298-6989; visit us at www.ToccataTahoe.org or https://www.facebook.com/toccatatahoe/, or e-mail us at ToccataTahoe@gmail.com.

Top Stories

... or see all stories

The Nevada Supreme Court has upheld the state’s contentious “ghost gun” ban, reversing a lower court’s ruling that the law banning the sale of unfinished frames and receivers of a firearm was unconstitutionally vague.

By state law, once Carson City’s population reaches 60,000 residents, they will be mandated to create a new courtroom complete with a new judge and staff.

However, that comes with a price tag of at least $800,000 in staffing alone — and doesn’t include the price to expand the courthouse.

Reno Tahoe Comedy is proud to present Bobcat Goldthwait at Piper's Opera house in Virginia City on Saturday, April 27. Since his first appearance on the David Letterman Show at the age of 20, Bobcat has gone on to maintain a thriving career as a writer, director, actor, voice actor and stand-up comedian.

The Nevada State Prison Preservation Society is once again offering tours to the community beginning in May and continuing through the month of October.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Carson City will host its first "Walking as One at 1" labyrinth walk on Saturday, May 4 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at 314 N. Division at Telegraph.

"Walking as One at 1" happens on World Labyrinth Day each year where participants across the globe engage in a labyrinth walk at 1 p.m. local time. This synchronized practice creates a 24-hour rolling wave of peaceful energy that passes from one time zone to the next across the world. The idea is to collectively contribute to a sense of unity and harmony.

The Carson City School District will host a quarterly Community Connections event next week, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, from 5:45-7:30 p.m. at Carson High School.

Carson Animal Services Initiative, also known as CASI, welcomes the community to enjoy an evening of great music, delicious food and wonderful live and silent auction items to support animals in need.

Earlier this month it was announced that Carson City’s Burlington Coat Factory would be closing. Rumors of a potential Hobby Lobby taking its place have now been substantiated.

The popular craft store applied for a permit for the location Wednesday, according to the Carson City Planning Division.

MINDEN — The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that it has published preliminary copies of the revised Flood Insurance Rate Map and Flood Insurance Study report for Douglas County and incorporated areas. These materials are available for public viewing on FEMA's website.

Hello fellow anglers. Yes, it is that time of year for the California opening day fishing season. This year we actually will have an opening day. Last year with our excessive snow pack, we were not able to get on many rivers until mid summer due to runoff.

Carson City Fire Department and multiple agencies will host the 2nd annual wildfire education and preparedness workshop for the community Tuesday, April 30.

Nevada Humane Society, Carson City branch Pet of the Week is Macy, a 6-year-old gal who has been at our shelter since the end of January. She was surrendered because her owner could no longer have animals.

Nevada State Museum staff invite all to contribute to a bee hotel this Saturday, April 20 as they celebrate Earth Day in Carson City. Participants are encouraged to contribute to the bee hotel, a nesting place for solitary bee friends, and learn about other ways you can help native pollinators.

Drawing on humor splashed with insight, nationally recognized syndicated cartoonist Brian Crane, also known as “Mr. Pickles,” packed the house as guest speaker Tuesday at the Carson City Senior Center.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office would like to provide some tips related to online safety for juveniles. It is important for parents to know how to set up their children’s devices for several reasons.

Carson Area MPO

Carson Area Metropolitan Planning Organization has posted a draft "Local Road Safety Plan" for public review and comment. A Local Road Safety Plan is a method for developing a locally tailored framework for identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing roadway safety improvements.

While waiting in line I always carry along a little Kipling, mainly to call upon this one little snippet to sustain me, “If you can wait and not be tired by waiting.” I do love his epic little poem, “If.” That poem has helped me to maintain my balance on more occasions than I can count.

The Historic Fourth Ward School Museum in historic Virginia City is pleased to announce the much-anticipated third annual Victorian Tea Party and Historic Fashion Show, scheduled for Mother’s Day weekend on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit is proud to announce the addition of two new K9 teams. Our latest additions have just completed K9 school and are now deployed to the Patrol Division of the Sheriff’s Office. The addition of these two K9s maintains our service of seven dog teams, as we continue toward our organizational goal of eight K9 teams to provide full-time coverage for the Carson City community.

Lane reductions will take place Fridays through Mondays on U.S. 50 in Dayton beginning Friday, April 19 as the Nevada Department of Transportation replaces concrete barrier rail in the highway median.

The four Douglas County School District board members who have been front and center through controversy since being elected in November 2022 all pulled out of a decision to accept a settlement agreement on a Writ of Mandamus during their meeting last Tuesday.

The 42nd annual Chili on the Comstock returns to heat up Virginia City on Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19. As a qualifier for the International Chili Society World Finals, guests can indulge in a diverse array of chili styles, from spicy to mild and chili verde, all expertly crafted by some of the finest chili cooks in the West.

The next Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Bob Crowell Boardroom of the Community Center, located at 851 E. William Street.

Two were arrested Monday for possession of stolen personal and business checks amounting to more than $555,000, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

Looking for a place to take your little ones this week? Look no further! Here is a list of family-friendly (and fun!) activities and events happening this week around the capital city.

Carson City Sheriff's Office deputies made four arrests on Monday for warrants and one arrest for alleged possession of drug paraphernalia, according to booking reports.

Common Ground Church Youth Group did volunteer work at Lone Mountain Cemetery in Carson City on Saturday to wrap lilac bushes with wire fencing in order to protect them from deer.

Carson City will be front and center Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18, when it hosts the 2024 NIAA State Track & Field Championships at the Jim Frank Track Complex at Carson High School. The two-day event will draw more than 1,000 athletes (from four different classifications) and countless fans and spectators from across the state to the capital city.

Photo courtesy of Friend of the Nevada State Railroad Museum

The Carson City Historical Society hosts Adam Michalski, who will present a talk called "The Railroad and Carson City," on Thursday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the Carriage House behind the Foreman-Roberts Historic House located at 1207 Carson Street, Carson City.

Carson City Community Development Director Hope Sullivan encourages all residents, business owners, and visitors to participate in the Land Use Master Plan Update Virtual Meeting on Thursday, April 18, at 5 p.m. More information about access to the meeting can be found at envisioncarsoncity.org.