To experience the grand sweep of large-scale orchestral works, join us for the CU Symphony Orchestra鈥檚 diverse and challenging program on Nov. 30.
鈥淓very year, we feature undergraduate and graduate winners of the Honors Competition,鈥 says Director of Orchestral Studies Gary Lewis. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 graduate winner鈥斺攃hose Prokofiev鈥檚 third piano concerto, which is quite demanding for the orchestra.
鈥淥f course, the added benefit of Jonathan鈥檚 selection is that it鈥檚 truly a masterwork鈥攊t鈥檚 therefore important for our students to play.鈥 Indeed, Sergei Prokofiev鈥檚 popular Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26 leaves quite a footprint, programmatically; so much so that it comprises the entire second half of the concert.
鈥淲e built the program around the concerto,鈥 continues Lewis. 鈥淭o contrast and complement Prokofiev, we鈥檙e really honored to open the concert with the world premiere of Carter Pann鈥檚 colorful 鈥楾iny Bolero.鈥欌 According to Lewis, Pann鈥檚 new work 鈥渕aintains bolero rhythms and patterns, and engages all aspects of the orchestra.鈥
Rounding out the wide-ranging program is 鈥淓n saga鈥 (鈥淎 Fairy Tale鈥). Composed in 1892 by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, the loose-knit, generally dark-hued tone poem will be conducted by graduate student Cynthia Katsarelis.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a work that connects to the College of Music鈥檚 Finnish celebration,鈥 Lewis explains. The chamber music version of 鈥楨n saga鈥 was recently performed here and at the Finnish Embassy in Washington, DC; the CU Symphony will render the full orchestral version.
Late in life, Sibelius himself said of the work, 鈥溾楨n saga鈥 is an expression of a state of mind. I had undergone a number of painful experiences at the time and in no other work have I revealed myself so completely.鈥
Delve into these musical mysteries and masterpieces when the CU Symphony performs on Thursday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m. at Macky Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public. To browse more upcoming symphony concerts, visit .