Northern Light: MCOSJ Season Opening Concert
Mission Chamber Orchestra of San José (MCOSJ) announces “Northern Light” on Saturday September 26th, 7:30pm at the Hammer Theatre Center in San Jose. This concert opens the orchestra’s “Season of Light” – celebrating the 30th Anniversary of its founding.
At the heart of program is Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor – and the orchestra is delighted to welcome pianist Jon Nakamatsu as soloist. The first American Van Cliburn Gold Medalist needs little introduction to Bay Area audiences. He is praised for his “compelling combination of technical brilliance and poetic interpretation” (Chicago Tribune) and his “electric and electrifying precision” (Evansville Courier and Press).
Opening the program is Emilie Mayer’s Faust Overture (1880) – inspired by Goethe’s story, the music moves through struggle and darkness to the light of redemption and vindicates Mayer’s reputation as “the female Beethoven”. The concert ends with the drama of Sibelius’ Third Symphony. The symphony is almost classical in its clarity when compared with his grand, patriotic, first and second symphonies. After its premiere in 1907 critic Karl Flodin wrote “The symphony meets all the requirements of a symphonic work of art … but at the same time it is internally new and revolutionary – thoroughly Sibelian.”
Student musicians from Fremont High School will join the orchestra on stage as part of its “Side-by-side” program. This concert gives community members the opportunity to experience thrilling live music and a world class soloist in an intimate venue. Ticket prices represent extraordinary value and our “pay what you can afford” option for single concerts means everyone can attend.
Event: “Northern Light” MCOSJ Concert
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 7:30 pm
Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose
Jon Nakamatsu, Piano Soloist
Side-by-Side – Fremont High School
Emilie Mayer Faust Overture, Op. 46
Edvard Grieg Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16
Jean Sibelius Symphony No. 3 in C Major, Op. 52
Season Tickets: General: $98, Senior: $84, Student under 25: $55, Child: $35 (includes fees)
Single Concert: General: $35, Senior: $28, Student under 25: $18, Child: $12 (includes fees)
Pay what you can afford option for single tickets.
www.missionchamber.org/events-tickets/
About the Soloist
Now in his third decade of touring worldwide, American pianist Jon Nakamatsu continues to draw critical and public acclaim for his intensity, elegance and electrifying solo, concerto and chamber music performances. Catapulted to international attention in 1997 as the Gold Medalist of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition—the only American to achieve this distinction since 1981—Mr. Nakamatsu subsequently developed a multi-faceted career that encompasses recording, education, arts administration and public speaking in addition to his vast concert schedule. https://jonnakamatsu.com/
About the Conductor
Juan Cristóbal Palacios began his musical studies in his birthplace, Caracas, Venezuela, before moving to the US to earn a Bachelor of Music Degree in Theory and Composition from Boston University and a Master’s Degree in Composition and Orchestral Conducting from Yale. At the invitation of Pierre Boulez, he moved to Paris, France to attend rehearsals of the Ensemble Intercontemporain. Palacios’ career has encompassed conducting, composition, and education. He has conducted orchestras in South America, USA, and Europe; his compositions have premiered in countries around the world; and he has helped develop music programs in different countries of the Americas. This multidisciplinary effort was recognized by the County government of Chacao, Venezuela, when he received the order José María y Bote in its first degree for his ability to impart knowledge, inspire citizens and awaken intellectual curiosity among young people. In 2007, due to the political situation in Venezuela, he settled in San Diego, where he joined the faculties of the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory, and the Enriching Life Through Music (ELM) music program. Since 2006 Palacios has been the principal of the JCP Advisory Group, an organization designed to collaborate, develop, design, advise, and implement art programs around the world. https://juancristobalpalacios.com/
About Mission Chamber Orchestra of San José
Mission Chamber Orchestra of San José (MCOSJ) is a volunteer orchestra performing high-quality concerts in the South Bay. It was founded by Emily Ray in 1996, and Juan Cristóbal Palacios is only the second Music Director. The 35-to-50-piece orchestra is known for its innovative programming that surprises and delights its listeners.
In recent comments, Mike Hagaman, The Metro Marketing and Media Consult said “Really enjoyed the concert last Sunday. It was more than I had expected … only wish I would have gone to other concerts of yours. I’ll be sure to attend future concerts and bring others along, too.” (June 2023).
Dave Bratman in San Francisco Classical Voice described “…a rewarding concert experience” and wrote “the players’ timing firmly attached to the unusual 13-note rhythmic pattern in Boyer’s scherzo and gave full excitement to the climax of the finale” (Apr. 18, 2023).
MCOSJ features world class artists as well as emerging professional soloists. MCOSJ has given the world premieres of more than twenty works and the West Coast or South Bay premieres of many others. Brilliant Classics recently released a disc of A.J. Fernandes’ Violin Concerto featuring violinist Carlos Damas accompanied by the orchestra.
MCOSJ caters to a broad audience, featuring classical repertoire and modern works by composers from around the world. The orchestra’s “Side-by-side” program gives musicians from local high schools the opportunity to join the orchestra on stage at most concerts. http://www.missionchamber.org
INFORMATION:
Mission Chamber Orchestra of San José
P.O. Box 32872
San Jose, CA 95152
info@missionchamber.org
http://www.missionchamber.org
Contact:
Juan Cristóbal Palacios (858) 740-1523
juancpalacios@yahoo.com
