Berkeley Symphony Season Opening Concert: The Innovators October 4, 2012

Music Director Joana Carneiro and Berkeley Symphony open their 2012-13 Season with the world premiere of Concerto for Quadrachord and Orchestra by acclaimed Bay Area-based composer Paul Dresher. The work also features Dresher in performance on his unique invented Quadrachord, a stringed instrument resembling a guitar that can be plucked or bowed. The Paul Dresher commission is made possible in part by grants from the Creative Work Fund and the National Endowment for the Arts. Continuing its commitment to combining new works with masterworks, the orchestra will also perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 and Charles Ives's The Unanswered Question.

Immediately following the concert, Berkely Symphony will host an Opening Night Gala Dinner honoring Paul Dresher in the Zellerbach Hall Mezzanine. Guests will be joined by the composer, Joana Carneiro, and musicians of Berkeley Symphony.

First performed in 1813, the success of Beethoven's Symphony No.7 was largely attributed to his Wellington's Victory, a work honoring the victory against Napoleon in the Battle of Vittoria. This marked an important moment in his career as public recognition for his music spread beyond the narrow circle of aristocrats and reached a much wider audience.

Many interpretations have been brought forth to explain Charles Ives's The Unanswered Question since its first performance in 1946. Ives was a keen observer of the world around him and his music reflects this trait; many of his works feature multiple sonic events occurring simultaneously, often multi-layered in texture, keys and meter.

Paul Dresher is an internationally active composer noted for his ability to integrate diverse musical influences into his own personal style. He pursues many forms of expression including experimental opera and music theater, chamber and orchestral composition, live instrumental electro-acoustic music performances, musical instrument invention, and scores for theater, dance, and film.

Official Website: http://www.berkeleysymphony.org/concerts/innovators/