“The return of classical superstar Yuja Wang underscores how conductor Daniel Stewart has transformed and elevated the Santa Cruz Symphony. Stewart and Wang could have set these shows up basically anywhere—in Europe, or a major U.S. city. For Stewart, doing it here was about continuing to build momentum."
“Last time, we did the last concertos of Prokofiev and Brahms. This time, we’re going to do the first concertos of Beethoven and Brahms,” This is one of the things Wang loves about Stewart. “We’re both such musical nerds,” she says.
“Stewart and Wang have a lot in common. Their bond has arisen from a shared obsession with the power, passion and relevance of the music they play, and a bit of a rebel streak in their attitudes about the culture around it. Dedicated and driven, they are, in their own ways, both redefining the classical music world.”
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"Stewart brings an incredibly empathic energy to his role—not just while they practice, but also afterward, as a line of musicians stops to talk to him on their way out the door."
"Running parallel to that gentle calm, though, is an incredible energy and passion that has pushed the Santa Cruz Symphony to its current level of acclaim and visibility. That profile is likely to get even higher with the return of pianist Yuja Wang on June 24 and 25."
