Sample 'Classics' with Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra

Oct. 23—Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra to perform the "Great Classics" at its next concert on Nov. 4.

The upcoming concert featuring some of the music world's greatest and well-known classics will include Mozart's Flute Concerto No. 1 featuring BSO principal flutist Catherine Baker, Bologne's Symphony No. 1 and Beethoven's Symphony No. 5.

"Every piece on the program is exciting and extremely enjoyable to listen to," conductor Stilian Kirov said in a news release. "Of course, we have one of the most important and powerful symphonies ever written. Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 stands in the golden pages of the symphonic literature with its exceptional structure, harmonies, and melodies as well as a powerful message."

Kirov said Beethoven's 5th Symphony has followed him in his musical journey as a conductor: "I have conducted it many times and every time I feel I'm getting deeper into the meaning of this work and discover something new within the score."

Baker, who has previously held the principal flute chairs with the American Youth Symphony and the YMF Debut Orchestra, said she is excited about her solo performance.

"I am so looking forward to performing Mozart's first flute concerto!" Baker said in the news release. "As a flutist, I have spent much of my career preparing this piece for auditions, so actually performing it with the orchestra is a privilege! I love how this masterpiece contains countless characters and moods which allow my musical decisions to be limitless!"

The concert will open with a piece by composer Joseph Bologne, whose life inspired the film "Chevalier," released this spring.

"Bologne was an extraordinary violinist and composer and was a Mozart contemporary," Kirov said. "His music hasn't had the spotlight for many centuries but, thankfully, it is being discovered more and more in the past couple of years. I am sure our audience will find it extremely exciting and compelling."

Doors open at 5:15 p.m., with an optional preconcert lecture at 5:30 p.m. and the concert at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Mechanics Bank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave.

Tickets, starting at $35, are available at bsonow.org. Learn more about the concert and the 2023-24 BSO season by visiting the website or calling 661-323-7928.