Livermore-Amador Symphony bringing ‘Butterflies and Brahms’ to Bankhead 

As spring blooms across the Tri-Valley, the Livermore-Amador Symphony is set to perform sounds of love and joy to the Bankhead Theater in downtown Livermore this weekend.

Under the direction of music director Lara Webber, the symphony is set to captivate audience members with its “Butterflies and Brahms” program. 

The evening on Saturday (April 13) will start off with the gentle yet powerful notes of Lili Boulanger’s “D’un Matin de Printemps” (Of a Spring Morning). Composed toward the end of Boulanger’s short life, Livermore-Amador Symphony reps described the piece as a work filled with passion, evocative themes, and brilliant layers. 

Additionally, acclaimed violinist Chase Spruill will join the orchestra for the “Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto”, originally composed in 1959 by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang. Spruill often performs and teaches throughout the Bay Area and Northern California. 

“Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto” was based on a Chinese folk legend and combines Western sounds with Eastern melodies. The “two lovers” in the piece are represented by the violin soloist and the principal cellist. 

“It is a perfect balance of western harmony with the sounds and melodies of Chinese traditional opera,” Webber said of the piece. “This music is loaded with soaring, lyrical melodies that are achingly beautiful, speaking directly from the heart.”

Following an intermission, the orchestra will then perform Johannes Brahms’ “Symphony No. 4”. This piece, considered one of Brahms’ greatest achievements, showcases the composer’s skill of form and melody. 

Webber described the symphony as a testament to Brahms’ incredible musical talent, captivating listeners with its sonic journeys and rhythm. 

“Johannes Brahms’ final symphony is a towering compositional achievement that truly captures the sum of his incredible musical genius and skill,” Webber said. “He unites the whole creation with his remarkable ability to develop his gorgeous themes in ways that trusts the listener’s ear to carry us forward, and to surprise us with rhythmic displacement and incredibly poignant harmonic journeys.”

Before the performance begins, attendees will have the opportunity to gain insights into the music during “Inside the Music,” a pre-show discussion hosted by Webber from 7-7:15 p.m. Saturday. Following the 7:30 p.m. concert, a complimentary reception will be held in the Bankhead Theater lobby. 

Founded in the 1960s by local musicians who recognized the need for an amateur orchestra in the area, the Livermore-Amador Symphony has since evolved into a cultural institution in the Tri-Valley. 

With over 60 seasons under its belt, the orchestra continues to captivate audiences with its performances and commitment to musical education. Tickets are available at livermoreamadorsymphony.org.