Mill Valley Philharmonic Concludes 19th Season With Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 & More – May 15-18

On May 15-18, the ​Mill Valley Philharmonic is set to finish off its 2018-19 season – its first without founder and artistic director Laurie Cohen – with the last of a trio of performances, each of which has showcased a guest conductor, each of whom are candidates to become the organization’s artistic director alongside MV Philharmonic executive director Richard Aldag. 

The final shows of the season, set for Wednesday, March 15 (dress rehearsal), Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18 at Mount Tamalpais United Methodist Church (410 Sycamore Avenue), will be helmed by Alexander Kahn, associate professor of music and director of orchestral activities at Sonoma State University, where he directs the Sonoma State Symphony Orchestra. Kahn is also the founder and music director of the Vintners Chamber Orchestra in Sonoma. Between 2007 and 2008, Kahn served as Assistant Conductor of the Bamberg Symphony in Bamberg, Germany. While in Bamberg he was also music director of the Bamberg Collegium Musicum.

The program, entitled “Late Idyll,” features Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 2, a mixture of both Classical enthusiasm and Romantic drama. The Second Symphony is rounded out by the composer’s feisty “Academic Festival Overture,” written for the University of Breslau, and Camille Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No. 2, which plays homage to the French Baroque period and the more immediate precursors of French and German Romanticism. The soloist for the Saint-Saens is Brynn Dally, winner of the 2018 Concerto Competition at Sonoma State University.

Now in its 19th season, MVP, which consists of 60 volunteer musicians, presents all of its concerts free of charge. To support these free concerts, and pay for music, rehearsal space, programs, outreach, and everything else necessary to sustain this special organization, MVP relies upon contributions from audience members and local businesses. Patrons may reserve tickets and make donations via the MVP website.

The mission of MVP is “to enrich the cultural life of the Bay Area by offering free orchestral programs to people of all ages and means in their own communities,” according to the organization’s website. “As an organization, MVP believes that music is a vital part of individual and community life. Whether participating as a player or as a listener, music engages our imaginative powers, awakens our aesthetic sensibilities, and inspires our creative expression.”

The 411: Mill Valley Philharmonic concludes its 2018-19 season May 15-18 with a trio of performances​ at the Mount Tamalpais United Methodist Church at 410 Sycamore Avenue. Performances are an open dress rehearsal on Wednesday, March 15 at 7pm, a concert on Friday, May 17 at 8pm and a concert on Saturday, May 18 at 4pm. Free. MORE INFO.

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