The Long Beach Symphony is marking a significant birthday this year and it’s starting the celebration with a musical trip to the beach and the golden era of surf and sun.
The Symphony is launching its 90th season with “Endless Summer — America’s Beach Boys Experience!,” on Sept. 28 as part of its more casual Pops Series. Then for the following show on Oct. 5 the Symphony officially marks its birthday with a classical concert dubbed “A New World — Celebrating Long Beach Symphony’s 90th Anniversary,” which will feature Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, Op. 84, the first piece the Symphony performed in 1934.
“Great cities are defined by the arts and culture they offer. Every great city has a great orchestra,” said Kelly Ruggirello, president of the Long Beach Symphony.
Now led by Maestro Eckart Preu, the Long Beach Symphony, originally called the Long Beach Philharmonic, was created by prominent Long Beach resident and opera singer Florence Van Dyke who partnered with conductor Robert Resta and the Long Beach Recreation Commission to form the ensemble.
The Symphony was quickly able to attract talented musicians thanks in large part to its proximity to the Hollywood studios where many musicians worked, which is still the case today.
“Artistically we are so fortunate to be so close to the L.A. recording studios because those studios attract the best musicians in the world to record movies and TV. So because of that we are able to hire truly world class musicians who are the best in the business and many have been performing with us for decades,” she said.
The Symphony is now a crucial part of the artistic fabric of the city, putting on about a dozen concerts and events during its season, which attracts about 70,000 music fans annually. The shows include the Classical Series, when the Symphony pays homage to late great composers and also perform new repertoire, the more casual Pops Series, where they perform popular genres from pop to rock and soul, and the Family Concerts. These shows are meant to introduce families to the world of orchestral music.
“We believe all kids, all people should have access to world class music,” she said.
So for its 90th Classical Season Ruggirello said the Symphony will continue its focus on reflecting the city’s diversity.
“If you look at our classical season every guest artist or composer is a woman or guest artist of color. So we are trying to be more representative, to continue to embrace the wider community in all aspects of our organization,” she said.
And for the first show of the season the Symphony will embrace the beach sounds of Southern California with guest Conductor Morihiko Nakahara and Beach Boys tribute band Endless Summer performing hits like “Surfin’ USA,” “Good Vibrations,” and “California Girls.”
“We’re excited to launch our season with some of the greatest tunes of all time,” Ruggirello said.
Endless Summer — America’s Beach Boys Experience
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Where: Long Beach Arena, 300 E Ocean Blvd.
Tickets: $35
Information: longbeachsymphony.org