Spring program highlights: Litton conducts Mahler; local musicians take the keys to Boettcher; Masterworks showcases dance; Scott O’Neil’s final Masterworks; and Star Wars family fun returns
MAHLER’S SYMPHONY NO. 5
THURSDAY, APRIL 30 AND FRIDAY, MAY 1 – 7:30 PM; SUNDAY, MAY 3 – 1 PM
Andrew Litton, conductor
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, violin
SHOSTAKOVICH Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 99
MAHLER Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor
Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 is an intense, alluring work that is at times sublime and haunting. Music Director Andrew Litton is joined by Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, often regarded as the champion of this great work. The program closes with one of Mahler’s most popular symphonies, creating an experience that is simultaneously powerful and emotional.
VICTOR WOOTEN’S CONCERTO FOR ELECTRIC BASS
SATURDAY, MAY 9 – 7:30 PM; SUNDAY, MAY 10 – 1 PM
Scott O’Neil, conductor
Victor Wooten, electric bass
PAT METHENY/ SCOTT O’NEIL First Circle
PAT METHENY/ SCOTT O’NEIL Minuano
JOSEPH SCHWANTNER New Morning for the World
CONNI ELLISOR/VICTOR WOOTEN The Bass Whisperer – Concerto for Electric Bass and Orchestra
Join us for an evening of masterful music as we recognize the storied career of Resident Conductor Scott O’Neil in his final Masterworks performance with the Colorado Symphony. Five-time Grammy® winner and long-time member of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Victor Wooten joins the Colorado Symphony in a program you won’t want to miss. Wooten breaks new ground with The Bass Whisperer – Concerto for Electric Bass and Orchestra, co-written with renowned Colorado-bred composer Conni Ellisor. Co-commissioned by the Colorado Symphony, this piece will be premiered by a select group of orchestras. On the first half of the program, the Colorado Symphony is thrilled to again collaborate with the dancers of Wonderbound, who join the musicians on stage in this eclectic concert.
THE ART OF BAROQUE
FRIDAY, MAY 15 – 7:30 PM
Joseph Swensen, conductor / violin
Internationally acclaimed musician Joseph Swensen conducts the orchestra from the violin as the Colorado Symphony presents all six of Bach’s Brandenburg concertos, instrumental works that define the Baroque era. This program will feature many of the Colorado Symphony’s own musicians as they step into the spotlight for solo appearances.
BOBBY MCFERRIN SINGS AND CONDUCTS GERSHWIN
SATURDAY, MAY 16 – 7:30 PM
The matchless vocal improviser with a breathtaking range hits Boettcher Concert Hall with his fresh interpretations of George and Ira Gershwin’s legendary music.
BRONFMAN PLAYS BEETHOVEN
FRIDAY, MAY 22 AND SATURDAY, MAY 23 – 7:30 PM; SUNDAY, MAY 24 – 1 PM
Andrew Litton, conductor
Yefim Bronfman, piano
Alan Opie, baritone
Colorado Symphony Chorus; Duain Wolfe, director
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Overture to The Wasps
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58
WALTON Belshazzar’s Feast
The Colorado Symphony closes its season in grand fashion with William Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast. The final celebration of the Colorado Symphony Chorus’ 30th anniversary year features one of the most passionate, dramatic, and chilling pieces written for Chorus and Orchestra. This powerful evening of music also highlights world-renowned pianist Yefim Bronfman performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. This concert will be part of a new experience, Soundings Live, a pilot-test streaming service that offers live webcasts of select Masterworks performances.
TURN OVER THE KEYS
FEATURING IAN COOKE, LAND LINES, MEGAN BURTT AND JAY CLIFFORD
THURSDAY, MAY 28 – 7:30 PM
In this innovative program, the Colorado Symphony turns over the keys to Boettcher to artists from Denver’s thriving local music scene to create a varied and original program of new music. Emerging Colorado artists Ian Cooke, Land Lines, and Megan Burtt will perform individual sets with musicians from the Colorado Symphony, each with a unique style, sound, and symphonic approach. Longtime Colorado Symphony collaborator Jay Clifford, leader of the seminal South Carolina-based band Jump Little Children, and Tom Hagerman of DeVotchKa will work with each artist to create original orchestral arrangements of their music for a full complement of string players, with Clifford also joining in on the collaborative performance.
A WEEKEND OF STAR WARS
FRIDAY, MAY 29 AND SATURDAY, MAY 30 – 7:30 PM
Your Colorado Symphony presents an epic weekend of music celebrating a galaxy far, far away. Returning by popular demand, this concert weekend is filled with music from the world of Star Wars and classical favorites spanning the Milky Way. Prepare for a weekend that’ll take you on the greatest adventure this side of the Mos Eisley Cantina as the Colorado Symphony dives deeper than ever before into the Star Wars musical repertoire! Whether your loyalties lie with the Imperial Forces or the Rebel Troops, you’ll love this annual tradition, sharing in the love of cosplay and the music that defined a culture.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
Andrew Litton, music director
Scott O’Neil, resident conductor
Victor Wooten
Connie Ellisor
Wonderbound
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenburg
Yefim Bronfman
Ian Cooke
Megan Burtt
Land Lines
Jay Clifford
TICKETS:
Tickets are available online at www.coloradosymphony.org, by phone on 303.623.7876, and in person at the Boettcher Concert Hall Box Office, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1000 14th Street. The Box Office is open Monday-Friday, 10 am – 6 pm; Saturday, noon-6 pm; and two hours prior to each performance. |
