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The Planets

  • Cordiner Hall 46 S Park St Walla Walla, WA 99362 (map)

Not sure what to wear? Where to park? When to clap? Check out our Concert Guide.


The Program


Samy Moussa - Elysium for Orchestra


Caroline Shaw - The Observatory


Gustav Holst - The Planets, Op. 32

  • Walla Walla Choral Society

    • Robb Harrison, artistic director and conductor

 

Concert Snapshots

  • Elysium was named after the Greek afterlife for heroes, but it’s not dark or sad. Samy Moussa said it’s more about light and beauty than anything gloomy.

  • Caroline Shaw wrote The Observatory after visiting the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, inspired by the city’s views and the wide-open night sky.

  • Gustav Holst’s The Planets includes Mars, the movement that inspired the music for Star Wars’ “Imperial March.”

Want to learn more? Click the button below to explore articles about the composers and the pieces, and read the program notes.

Explore the Music

 
 

Wine Sponsor

Before the concert and during intermission:

  • Wine is available from our wine sponsor.

  • Sweet treats and non-alcoholic drinks are also available.

  • All proceeds support the Walla Walla Symphony.

Program Notes

SAMY MOUSA
Born June 1, 1984, in Montréal, Québec, Canada


Elysium for Orchestra (2021)

Last WWS Performance: First performance at tonight’s concert
Approximate length: 13 minutes 

This work was premiered on September 18, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain at the Basílica de la Sagrada Família by the Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Christian Thielemann. It is scored for 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, bass drum, China cymbal, crotales, crash cymbals, glockenspiel, small triangle, snare drum, tam-tam, tambour de Basque, tubular bells, vibraphone, wind gong, and strings.

CAROLINE SHAW
Born August 1, 1982, in Greenville, North Carolina


The Observatory (2019)

Last WWS Performance: First performance at tonight’s concert
Approximate length: 16 minutes

© Kait Moreno

This work was premiered on August 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, CA at the Hollywood Bowl by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Xian Zhang. It is scored for 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion (bass drum, glockenspiel, snare drum, vibraphone), piano, and strings.

GUSTAV HOLST
Born September 21, 1874, in Cheltenham, United Kingdom
Died May 25, 1934, in London, United Kingdom


The Planets, Op. 32 (1914-1917)

Last WWS Performance: May 8, 2018
Approximate length: 55 minutes




Earlier Event: May 13
Symphony Series: Earth, Water, Wind, & Fire
Later Event: November 15
Quartetto Gelato