Tips on the Tunes, Notes on Notes

Most of the music on the Pacific Symphony’s outdoor programs is short, but memorable. Here are some quick notes on a few of the pieces.

* Aaron Copland’s “Old American Songs” are arrangements of traditional 19th century American songs. Copland made a collection of five songs in 1950 and added a second set in 1952. They range from the haunting “Long Time Ago” to the rousing hymn, “Zion’s Walls.” A sampling will be sung by baritone Daniel Belcher.

* Duke Ellington’s “Three Black Kings” celebrates King Solomon, son of David and Bathsheba; Balthazaar, one of the three Magis; and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The orchestra will play the third part of this work, in a gospel style.

* Alberto Ginastera, Argentina’s famous composer, wrote his ballet “Estancia” on a commission from Lincoln Kirstein, co-founder--with George Balanchine--of the New York City Ballet. The Pacific Symphony will play the energetic final dance of the ballet, “Malambo.”

* Jose Pablo Moncayo’s “Huapango,” composed in 1941, is the famous Mexican composer’s first important work for orchestra. It is based on three folk dances and falls into three sections--the first and last rhythmically peppy and the middle more lyrical.

* Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide” Overture is a rollicking opening for the 1956 Broadway show based on Voltaire’s famous philosophical novel. The show closed after only 73 performances, but it has been revived a number of times. The Overture, however, quickly became a hit in the concert hall.

* Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America,” composed in 1918 while Berlin was serving in the American Expeditionary Force, has become so popular that it’s almost a second National Anthem. Most people will find it’s a lot easier to sing than the official one. This famous song--accompanied by fireworks--will close the Pacific Symphony program.