Best Symphony Orchestra

Great live music is alive in California.

•  

It may not have the cachet of the New York Philharmonic or the Boston Pops, but the California Symphony of Walnut Creek, California, can stand proud. Founded in 1986 by Juilliard-trained prodigy Barry Jekowsky, the symphony features works by American composers -- and not just old, dead men -- on every one of its programs. Its Young American Composer-in-Residence program commissions works from top new talents who vie for three-year gigs. Younger people, Jekowsky has learned, enjoy young composers -- and like watching young musicians play. So the symphony gives pint-sized performers their first U.S. appearances -- with prodigies like violinist Sarah Chang, who made her professional debut with the symphony, going on to stardom. The symphony's been outgrowing its space and has begun dabbling in the Bay Area's larger venues. Proving that expanding audiences are sweet music indeed.

From Reader's Digest - May 2005