Bay Philharmonic Plays Beethoven with Guest Artist, Pianist Charlie Albright and Conductor Jung-Ho Pak

Article Contributed by Karin Conn | Published on Friday, April 28, 2023

Bay Philharmonic (formerly Fremont Symphony) presents Bay Phil Plays Beethoven on June 3 and 4 in Union City. The two high-energy performances will feature internationally award-winning pianist, improviser, and composer Charlie Albright, visionary conductor Jung-Ho Pak, along with the highly entertaining 50-piece Bay Philharmonic. Tickets are $35 to $67 and are available on the Bay Philharmonic website, bayphil.org.

Concertgoers will enjoy an energetic evening listening to the passionate sounds of Beethoven. Artistic Director/Conductor Jung-Ho Pak will lead the Bay Philharmonic in two of Beethoven’s most beloved works—the rhythmically exciting “Seventh Symphony” and the virtuosic “Third Piano Concerto.” Guest soloist Charlie Albright promises to create dazzling moments on the spot—just like Beethoven did. Together, Pak and Albright explore the limitless possibilities and timeless relevance of music that remains very much alive today. Pak says, “this is not a symphony concert, we’re throwing a party and a rock show all in one!”

The Philadelphia Inquirer says Charlie Albright brings “the art of classical music improvisation to a new level,” and the Washington Post says that he is “among the most gifted musicians of his generation.” Described by The New York Times as a conductor who "radiates enthusiasm," Jung-Ho Pak is known for his unique approach and vision for symphonic music. In concert, Albright, Pak, and the Bay Philharmonic will deliver a truly imaginative, unusually entertaining, and highly energetic show.

Bay Philharmonic (formerly Fremont Symphony) presents Bay Phil Plays Beethoven on June 3 at 7:30 p.m. and June 4 at 3:00 p.m. at the newly renovated, state-of-the-art James Logan High School Performing Arts Center in Union City. The two performances will feature internationally award-winning pianist, improviser, and composer Charlie Albright, visionary conductor Jung-Ho Pak, along with the highly entertaining 50-piece Bay Philharmonic. Tickets are $35 to $67 and are available on the Bay Philharmonic website, bayphil.org.  

 When:        June 3–4, 2023
 
                   Saturday, June 3, 7:30 p.m.
                   Sunday, June 4, 3:00 p.m.

 Where:       James Logan High School Performing Arts Center
                   1800 H Street, Union City, CA 94587
                   *Newly renovated, state-of-the-art

Tickets/info:       Please visit BayPhil.org

 Who:          Charlie Albright, internationally award-winning pianist, improviser, and composer
                   Jung-Ho Pak, Artistic Director/Conductor, Bay Philharmonic
                   Barett Hoover, Executive Director, Bay Philharmonic
 
About Bay Philharmonic:

For the past 56 years, Bay Philharmonic has served the Bay Area as the Fremont Symphony. The Bay Philharmonic has a unique mission. With much beauty and joy, their goal is to present the most imaginative and unusually entertaining shows. They believe that their audience is the primary reason they exist and want to always exceed their expectations.

The word “Philharmonic” means the "love of harmony," which means they are a source of wonderful sounds and diverse co-existence.

Under the leadership of newly appointed Executive Director Barett Hoover and Artistic Director Jung-Ho Pak, the Bay Philharmonic begins a new era of arts and entertainment experiences for all audiences. Hoover joined the organization in July of 2022. Before his work with the Bay Philharmonic, Hoover held a leadership position as General Manager with Chamber Music Hawaii, and with the Leeward Theatre and Hawaii Opera Theatre.

About Charlie Albright:

Internationally award-winning pianist, improviser, and composer Charlie Albright brings music to everyone, uniquely connecting with audiences like no other through his music, speaking, and making concerts fun.

Hailed as “among the most gifted musicians of his generation” with a “dazzling natural keyboard affinity” who “made quite an impression” by the Washington Post, American pianist//improviser/composer Charlie Albright has been praised for his “jaw-dropping technique and virtuosity meshed with a distinctive musicality” by The New York Times, and his “extravagance that had showmanship but never felt cheap” with his “ease and smoothness that refuses to airbrush the music, but animates it from within” by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Recipient of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant and Gilmore Young Artist Award, Albright won the Ruhr Klavier Festival Young Artist Award presented by Marc-André Hamelin (Germany) and the Young Concert Artists International Auditions.  In addition to performing, Albright is sought after as a speaker, masterclass instructor, teacher, and competition judge.  His debut commercial recording, Vivace, has sold thousands of copies worldwide and the first two parts of a 3-part Schubert Series of live, all-Schubert recordings was released in 2017 and 2020. Charlie Albright breaks the "classical" rules of music by connecting with audiences like no other. Through his music, speaking, and unique improvisations that bring music to life, he crosses all genres...and makes it fun.

About Jung-Ho Pak:

Described by The New York Times as a conductor who "radiates enthusiasm" and the Los Angeles Times as "a real grabber," Jung-Ho Pak is known for his unique approach and vision for symphonic music. Jung-Ho leads the Bay Philharmonic as its newest Artist Director and Conductor, bringing over 35 years of experience conducting acclaimed professional and conservatory orchestras around the world.

Since 2006, Jung-Ho has been Artistic Director and Conductor of the Cape Symphony in Massachusetts, having previously held the position of Artist Director with Orchestra Nova, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, and the San Diego Symphony, an organization he guided from bankruptcy to financial success.

He has acted as Music Director with the University of Southern California (USC), San Francisco Conservatory of Music, U.C. Berkeley, Disney Young Musicians Symphony, the Debut Orchestra (Los Angeles), Colburn Chamber Orchestra, and Diablo Ballet, as well as Director of Orchestras and Music Director of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Guest conducting has taken him around the globe, leading groups in Europe, Russia, South America, and Asia.

Jung-Ho is a frequent speaker on television and radio, including TED Talks and National Public Radio, and appears as a clinician and conductor at major music festivals nationwide.

Topics