DOWNEY - She is a stalwart of the orchestra, this tiny, personable lady, an A-Team all by herself.Before a concert by the Downey Symphony, out of the glorious cacophony of the orchestra tuning up onstage, there comes a wonderful moment when Catherine Del Russo's oboe sounds a pure, calm A, and heed is paid. Section by section, the musicians tune to her A, to her absolute word, and then they're good to go. Catherine has been our symphony's principal oboe for years, but at Saturday evening's concert in the Downey Theatre she will appear under another guise, as English horn soloist in Aaron Copland's "Quiet City." This is an atmospheric, brooding work, scored for string orchestra and two virtuosic soloists on English horn and trumpet. Joining Catherine is trumpeter Conrad Jones, winner of the Downey Symphony's 2012 Young Artist Competition. As the composer wrote, "Quiet City is challenging music for its soloists," but not to worry. It's all in good hands here. Also on this program: a Mozart Divertimento, Benjamin's Britten's delightful Simple Symphony composed in 1934, and Conrad Jones playing Johann Neruda's Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra, from around 1750. Music Director Sharon Lavery will give an informative discussion of the music to be heard at 7:15, and the performance starts at 8 in the Downey Theatre, 8435 Firestone Blvd. Parking surrounding the theater is free. Tickets, $35, $30 and $10 with student ID, are available at the theater box office or by calling (562) 861-8211. The next concert in this 55th season of the Downey Symphony will be on April 6, and it's a doozie. We welcome you to all these performances, and invite you to browse our website at downeysymphony.org.

********** Published: January 24, 2013 - Volume 11 - Issue 41