Pacific Symphony plays Haydn & Mendelssohn with Carl St.Clair cond., feat. Vitaly Starikov, piano

After years of unforgettable performances and passionate artistry, Carl St.Clair takes the podium to lead a program that promises brilliance, beauty, and a touch of legacy. Join us as we celebrate the enduring impact of a visionary conductor whose baton has inspired generations, and be a part of this historic evening that honors a true giant of classical music.

FEATURED ARTISTS:

Pacific Symphony Chamber Orchestra
Carl St.Clair, Conductor
Vitaly Starikov, piano (silver medal winner of the Van Cliburn competition)

PROGRAM:

HAYDN Symphony No. 88 in G Major
MENDELSSOHN Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25


PACIFIC SYMPHONY
Pacific Symphony is the largest orchestra formed in the United States in the past 50 years and has earned national recognition for its adventurous programming, community engagement, and artistic growth. Founded in 1978, the Symphony has been led for 35 years by Music Director Carl St.Clair, one of the longest-serving music directors of a major American orchestra. In 2024, Alexander Shelley was named Artistic and Music Director Designate for the 2025–26 season and will begin his full-time tenure in the 2026–27 season, marking a bold new chapter in the Symphony’s artistic evolution.

With a purpose to lift the human spirit through the power of music, the Symphony is a pillar of the cultural landscape of Southern California, enriching lives and bringing communities together through creative and diverse programming. As the resident orchestra of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, the Symphony presents more than 100 concerts and events each year and a rich array of education and community engagement programs, reaching more than 300,000 residents of all ages.
 

VITALY STARIKOV
Vitaly Starikov, is a distinguished pianist whose artistry has graced some of the world’s most renowned stages, including the Sydney Opera House, Brussels BOZAR, and the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. His discography includes a CD of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 with Frank Braley and the Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie. Vitaly’s collaborations with Hugh Wolff, Li-Wei Qin, Belgian National Orchestra and Sydney Symphony Orchestra underscore his profound musical insight. His artistry is celebrated on platforms such as medici.tv, ABC and SBS. Vitaly is is a laureate of top piano competitions including the Queen Elisabeth and Sydney International. He is a winner of the 26th Epinal Piano Competition.