Schedule

Immunity is an intimate musical exploration of cellist Joshua Roman’s life-altering, inspiring experience of ongoing long COVID, with music ranging from J. S. Bach to George Crumb to Caroline Shaw, as well as Roman’s own compositions. The program combines performance and storytelling into an emotional journey, as the cellist confronts the impact of the illness and the limitations that nearly ended his career, before progressing through a period of doubt, struggle, refocus, and renewal, culminating in a profound acceptance of self and a deeper connection to what's most important in life.

Joining Pacific Symphony for this performance is the remarkable cellist Joshua Roman. Hailed for his “effortlessly expressive tone… and playful zest for exploration” (The New York Times) and praised for his “extraordinary technical and musical gifts” (San Francisco Chronicle), Roman’s genre-bending programs and wide-ranging collaborations have earned him acclaim across the globe.

We open this evening’s performance with a piece inspired by Peruvian folklore by Gabriela Lena Frank, followed by a work by Frederick Delius depicting the lush landscape of turn-of-the-century Florida. The night concludes with Dvořák’s stormy and thematic Cello Concerto, performed by extraordinarily gifted cellist Joshua Roman.

These fresh interpretations of existing and new music will feature Tessa Lark on violin, Joshua Roman on cello and Edgar Meyer on bass.

Three incredible musicians, including 7-time Grammy winner bassist Edgar Meyer, combine for an evening of classical and contemporary music.

In demand as both a performer and a composer, Edgar Meyer has formed a role in the music world unlike any other. Meyer’s newest collaboration is a trio with violinist Tessa Lark, one of the most captivating artistic voices of our time, and cellist, accomplished composer, and curator Joshua Roman, whose performances embrace musical styles from Bach to Radiohead.

The Awakening cello concert, composed and performed by Joshua Roman, reflects on a fateful journey from darkness and anger to personal rebirth through the support of others and the affirmation that no one is alone.

In a commission from BSO Composer in Residence James Lee III, a new Cello Concerto features the talents of Joshua Roman, whose electrifying interpretations of solo repertoire draw from his creative perspective as a composer and improviser. An early overture by England’s Edward Elgar depicts a storied account of battles and royal intrigue from the 1300s.