Why You'll Love This Concert
Update 11/1/2022: Our 2022 Holiday Concert Returns December 10th, 2022. Enjoy Tchaikovsky’s rarely-heard complete score of The Nutcracker!
Our wildly popular holiday concert returns with even more songs of the season! You and your loved ones will be entranced by all your favorite carols, appearing in both traditional and surprising ways.
Respighi’s sparkling music brings three famous paintings to life (listen for one of your favorite carols in “The Adoration of the Magi”). Then Benjamin Britten adds his flair to “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman.”
Few holiday pieces bring a bigger smile to audience’s faces than The Nutcracker, and we’re going to play it two ways! After the enchanting melodies of Tchaikovsky’s colorful original delight you, we’ll put a toe-tapping jazz spin on it with Duke Ellington’s classic arrangement!
Make sure you warm up your voices, because what better way to conclude this magical evening than a carol sing-along? You’ll love singing all your favorites with family and friends… and the full Redlands Symphony Orchestra!
See What's On The Concert Program
Program Preview
Ottorino Respighi
Orchestration
flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, percussion, celesta, harp, piano, strings
Notes
Although the theme of “The Adoration of the Magi” is recognizable as the carol “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” Respighi’s mind was not on the Advent season.
Read MoreBenjamin Britten
Orchestration
piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, 2 percussion, harp, strings
Notes
While the tune of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” is recognizable, Britten’s setting in Men of Good Will wanders far from the predictable harmonizations of the standard choral arrangement.
Read MorePeter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Orchestration
3 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, percussion, celesta, 2 harps, strings
Notes
By 1960, the potential appeal of updating Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker was obvious enough to a savvy musician like Duke Ellington.
Read MoreDuke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn
Orchestration
5 reeds, 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, piano, bass, drums
Notes
The Christmas Eve setting of Tchaikovsky’s ballet, The Nutcracker, has helped it to become one of America’s most beloved Christmas traditions, even though the composer had nothing of the sort in mind.
Read MoreVarious Composers
Orchestration
Coming soon...
Notes
Our midwinter holidays bring light into the darkest days of the year, each in their own ways—but music always casts the warmest glow. Singing together draws families and neighbors closer in the harshest season, strengthening communal bonds through traditions like the carol.
Read MoreAdditional Information
My first concert since Covid hit and it couldn't have been a better choice. Beethoven's 5th, the final movement, is like hearing the universe sing. Wilson and musicians play with magic. Thank you so much.
Directions to Redlands
Redlands is conveniently located less than 30 minutes from Riverside, Loma Linda, Yucaipa, Highland, and Beaumont. From Hemet, it’s just a short jaunt north on CA-79 and West on I-10. It is easily accessible from Los Angeles 60 miles east along Hwy 10. And from San Diego, it’s a beautiful, 2-hour drive north along I-15 and I-215.
Getting ready to attend our concert? View our directions page.
Directions to Memorial Chapel at University of Redlands
All regular season concerts are held at Memorial Chapel on the University of Redlands campus.
Sponsored By:
Vaughn & Ann Bryan
Concert Info
Performed by: Redlands Symphony 12/14/19 at 08:00pm
Performed at: Memorial Chapel 1200 E. Colton Ave.Redlands, CA 92373 Get Directions