Let's Dance! Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Waltz King, Johann Strauss, Jr.
Dear Friends and Supporters of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra:
One of the most popular and beloved composers of all time, Johann Strauss, Jr., was born on October 25, 1825. This year we celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth. Each concert this season will include a piece by Strauss. You will be delighted by such favorites as On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Tales from the Vienna Woods, the Emperor Waltz, Champagne Polka, Thunder and Lightning Polka, and highlights from his greatest operetta, Die Fledermaus! In addition, several concerts throughout the season will include dancers from the Yakima School of Ballet.
Some of the non-Strauss highlights of the season include Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 "Pastorale", Smetana's The Moldau, Duke Ellington's The River, Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, music from the opera Carmen, Orff's Carmina Burana, featuring the wonderful Yakima Symphony Chorus, and Don Quixote by Richard Strauss (no relation to Strauss Jr.), which will feature Mark Kosower, principal cellist of the Cleveland Orchestra and our very own principal violist, Brian Hillyard. Other superstars from our own orchestra that will be featured soloists include Concertmaster Denise Dillenbeck and Logan Esterling on oboe and English horn.
One concert of special note that is not to be missed will take place on January 31, 2026. This will be a full-blown ballet performance featuring the Yakima School of Ballet dancing for two incredible pieces: Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring and a ballet by Native American composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha Tate called Winter Moons.
Our Classical Series is graciously sponsored by Hal* and Greta Bryan.
The Pops Series will feature a Birthday Extravaganza on Strauss' actual birthday, featuring the orchestra, chorus, dancers, and vocal soloists. I will lead several selections with the violin making this performance sort of like André Rieu...without the hair! We will also have a concert of cowboy music called Wylie & the Wild West as well as a celebration of Latin American and Hispanic musical brilliance called called ¡Fiesta!, featuring Spanish dancers and the Cuban-born Marlene Urbay as guest conductor.
We are very much looking forward to seeing you throughout our 2025-2026 season, Let's Dance, and we hope you are as excited about it as we are!
Sincerely,
Lawrence Golan
The Helen N. Jewett Music Director, Yakima Symphony Orchestra