The lively, upbeat work was originally written for the North Carolina Symphony, and according to Oakland East Bay Symphony officials, is representative of the innovative selections symphony Conductor Michael Morgan is dedicated to bringing to town.

The piece aims to explore individual sounds. During its North Carolina run, the music concluded with a bit of audience participation -- more than 100 ticket holders in the balcony were given goblets "tuned" with water, which they played with their fingers to create a reverberating, space-like effect.

Stookey's selection will be followed by a performance of Rachmaninoff's difficult but popular "Concerto No. 3," played by Shanghai-born pianist Tian Ying, who earned accolades for his 2001 performance with the symphony. Wrapping up the show will be Johannes Brahms' Symphony No. 1.

The Oakland symphony has been dedicated to mixing contemporary and classic programming since Morgan took the helm 15 years ago. This season's entries continue the tradition:

• Mostly Mozart, Jan. 21. Three works written over two months during a particularly productive period of the composer's life will be rounded out by a contemporary piece by Chen Yi, who is considered one of the most important composers alive today.


• Beethoven, Mahler, Bunch; Feb. 25. The Beethoven series continues with the jovial "Symphony No. 8," followed by Mahler's "Lieder aus Des Knaben Wunderhorn," which was inspired by children's folk poetry. A new commissioned work by Julliard graduate Kenji Bunch will open the show.


• New talent showcase, March 19. Emerging artists -- instrumentalists, composers, conductors and poets -- are highlighted for this show, which begins with assistant conductor Bryan Nies leading "The Sicilian Vespers." Next, Morgan will lead a world premiere by composer Hector Armienta, which will incorporate the works of several young poets.

  The Oakland Youth Orchestra's top talent will join the symphony for a performance of Emmanuel Chabrier's famous "España."



• Movie scores night, April 22. Some works are instantly related to movies -- "Psycho," "2001: A Space Odyssey" "Fantasia 2000," composed by Bernard Herrmann, Richard Strauss and Stravinsky, respectively. A world premiere by local composer Laurence Rosenthal will be included: a suite from the 1964 historical drama, "Becket."


• Multimedia season finale, May 20. Leonard Bernstein's "Mass" blends rock, Broadway theater, jazz and Gregorian chant in this rarely performed work commissioned by the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1971 to inaugurate the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The lead role, of the celebrant, will be performed by Douglas Webster.

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