Things are going to get Botanical as we head back to SF for one of our most popular Sessions––Flower Piano! Join us in the SF Botanical Gardens on Saturday, July 13 from 2:00-5:00pm for Session 68 where we'll be joined by soloists Allison Lovejoy and Serene for some Chopin and Rachmaninoff.
Celebrating its fifth year at the Gardens, Flower Piano is an incredible event where twelve pianos are tucked among the many flower-filled gardens within SFBG’s 55 acres and are available to the public to play each day July 11-22, with special guest performances scheduled throughout the week. AÖC first played there in 2016 and we're thrilled to be invited back. The event is free for SF residents (and participating Awesöme Orchestra musicians), but $8 for non-residents.
From 2:00-3:00pm, we'll be workshopping Chopin's Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante in E-flat major, Op. 22 with soloist Allison Lovejoy and at 3:15pm, we'll jump into Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30 with soloist Serene on piano.
Audience members are invited to bring picnic fixings and blankets to lounge about in the grass. Everyone should bring hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, and layers (because you never know what summer weather you'll get in SF). Musicians are encouraged to bring iPads and/or digital music readers if they've got 'em, as unexpected wind can make sheet music unruly.
————— Musician Details ——————
WHEN: Saturday, July 13, 2019, 2:00–5:00 p.m.
WHERE: SF Botanical Gardens, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA(entrance at the corner of Ninth Ave. at Lincoln Way)
Please note that while the gardens are free and open to residents and students of San Francisco and members of Botanical Gardens, any non-resident or non-member who wish to attend as audience have to pay a small entrance fee ($8) which admits them for the entire day. (Participating musicians will gain free admittance.)
In the case of inclement weather, this event will be canceled. We'll make the call 24 hours out and notify everyone in the case of cancelation.
TRANSPORTATION SUGGESTIONS: EXTREMELY LIMITED PARKING AVAILABLE! Due to minimal parking near the venue, we strongly recommend taking public transit to the park or carpooling if possible.
Repertoire, instrumentation, and schedule are as follows, with Conductor David Möschler:
2:00-3:00pm - Frédéric Chopin - Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante in E-flat major, Op. 22 (1836) (~14')
featuring soloist, Allison Lovejoy
INSTRUMENTATION: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns (F), 1 trombone, timpani, strings
3:15-5:00pm - Sergei Rachmaninoff - Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30 (1909) (~41')
featuring soloist, Serene
INSTRUMENTATION: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets (B♭), 2 bassoons, 4 horns (F), 2 trumpets (B♭), 3 trombones, 1 tuba, timpani, 2 percussion (snare drum, bass drum, cymbals), strings
SHEET MUSIC for upcoming open sessions can always be found on Google Drive at: bit.ly/AOCOpenSession To maximize the fun, please commit to practicing your parts ahead of time!
Reference recordings for all pieces can be found linked above.
Please bring a hearty music stand and layers for warmth in case it gets chilly. We're also reminding people to bring hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, and refillable water bottles. We recommend that players who have access to iPads or digital readers bring them, as the wind might make sheet music unruly. We'll provide chairs, stand clips, and sheet music. Sadly, this will be a dry session due to permitting at the Gardens.
The sign-up deadline for all sections is Tuesday, July 9. Once that has passed, expect an email from your Awesöme Ambassadors with specific info and part assignments later that week (check your spam filters if this is your first session). Email your ambassadors if you haven't heard back by Friday, July 12. (Please be patient—they have a lot of information to collect before emailing everyone.) Their information can be found at www.awesomeorchestra.org/ambassadors