On February 16 the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra will present "Epic Tales", featuring Lacey Waggener on Mozart's Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat major. British writer Graham Darke describes the concerto as "exploring the horn's aristocratic richness and touching lyricism before capitalizing upon the hunting-horn connection in the rollicking and witty finale." Waggener, who grew up in Walnut Creek, is a sought-after solo, chamber and orchestral musician in Los Angeles.
Also on the program are Siegfried Idyll, Wagner's tender birthday gift to his wife, and Ravel's charming and imaginative set of fairytale pieces, Mother Goose Suite. The concert will close with Montreal-born Claude Champagne's exhilarating Danse Villageois.
Bryan Nies, who is the gifted long-time Associate Conductor of the Oakland Symphony and Principal Conductor of Festival Opera, will conduct the program. He is serving as Interim Conductor/Music Director of the orchestra, and will also provide fascinating insights about the composers and their work during the concert.