Boulder Symphony season to include local legends
By Kelly Dean Hansen- The Daily Camera
POSTED: 09/19/2015 09:00:00 PM MDT
Music director Devin Patrick Hughes is enthusiastic when he discusses the Boulder Symphony Orchestra's 2015-16 season. (Courtesy photo)If you go
What: Boulder Symphony Orchestra's 2015-16 season
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 1820 15th St., Boulder, 7 p.m. (unless noted)
Schedule
• Oct. 3: "Boulder Dynasties" with the Lehnert Trio (Preview performance Oct. 2)
• Oct. 31, 2 p.m.: "Classical Music Played Foul" (Halloween Family Concert)
• Nov. 21: Opera Special, Puccini's "La Bohème" (Preview performance Nov. 19)
• Feb. 5: "Birth of Innovation," with pianist Toku Kawata (Preview performance Feb. 4)
• Feb. 12: Pops Special "Snapshot of Love" with fiddle champion Katie Glassman.
• March 12: "Party at Tchaikovsky's" with violinist Phoenix Avalon (Preview performance March 11)
• May 7: "Nature's Voice" with cellist Silver Ainomäe (Preview performance May 6)
Tickets: $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for college students, free for K-12. Special pricing for Nov. 21 and Feb. 12 events: $25, $20, $15. Preview performances: $10 except for Nov. 19, which is $15. Season passes (includes all events except Feb. 12): $100, $80, $50.
Info: 970-577-1550 orbouldersymphony.org.
The name Lehnert is hallowed in Boulder's classical music circles.
Violinist Oswald Lehnert II, commonly known as "Ozzi," was a distinguished teacher on the faculty of the University of Colorado's College of Music for 40 years and the longest-tenured music director of the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra. His wife and musical partner, pianist Doris Pridonoff Lehnert, became a beloved teacher in her own right, and their performances together as the Lehnert Duo were staples of the CU Faculty series.
The Lehnerts' last public recital at CU in 2010 coincided with Ozzi's retirement, and Doris retired this year. So their appearance as concert soloists might take some by surprise when they help the Boulder Symphony Orchestra open its season next month.
"I really didn't know they were playing again," conceded Boulder Symphony music director Devin Patrick Hughes.
He said Ozzi attended one of the orchestra's performances, was impressed by the accomplishments of the city's most prominent amateur ensemble and asked if he and Doris could perform with the group. This time, however, they would appear as the Lehnert Trio along with their son, cellist Oswald Lehnert III.
"He really wanted to do the Beethoven Triple Concerto," Hughes said. "We were excited by the opportunity to celebrate this unique Boulder legacy."
The Triple Concerto, for piano, violin and cello with orchestra, is an unusual and infrequently heard work from Beethoven's heroic middle period.
"It's a tip of the hat to the baroque concerto grosso," Hughes said, "but no piece with orchestra had been written before with the full piano trio ensemble as soloists."
The Oct. 3 season opener, 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, also includes Antonín Dvorák's dramatic Symphony No. 7. It is the first of five major programs offered by the orchestra this season.
On Nov. 21, the BSO again presents a full performance of a great opera, building on last season's finale in May, a well-received semi-staged presentation of Bizet's "Carmen." This time around, the chosen work is Giacomo Puccini's immortal "La Bohème."
"It's surprising for an orchestra to include an opera in its concert programs," Hughes said. "But for an ensemble like us, it's important. Playing and conducting opera is much more difficult than doing symphonic music, and our musicians need this experience for their development."
For the conductor, "once you've done opera, you can do anything on a symphonic podium," he said.
"We didn't want to do it as the season finale again," Hughes explained, "and going into Thanksgiving week, it's a great time for it — and Bohème's first two acts are set at Christmas."
Excellent tenor and CU graduate Jason Baldwin, who played Don José in May's "Carmen," returns to play the artist Rodolfo. Soprano and University of Denver graduate Sarah Cambridge will play Mimì.
The BSO returns with another symphonic program on Feb. 5, a Friday. Hughes will conduct the Brahms Second Symphony, which is the last of the composer's four that the orchestra has not yet played.
Hughes is not bothered by the fact that the professional Boulder Philharmonic is performing the symphony in November.
"I actually think it's a good thing when that happens," he said. "Our audiences are often new to classical music, as opposed to their more seasoned patrons, and playing the same pieces can help them to cross over, which we hope they do. We want them to go see the Boulder Phil and other professional groups."
The Brahms is paired with Mozart's virtuosic D-minor piano concerto (No. 20, K. 466), played by Toku Kawata, who is working on his doctorate in piano performance with CU professor Andrew Cooperstock. Kawata appeared on last season's opener and played Rachmaninoff.
"We bring people back to follow their development," Hughes said.
That also applies to prodigy violinist Phoenix Avalon, who joins the BSO for the fourth straight year on March 12. Avalon, who will be 15 at that time (he was 11 in his first appearance), plays Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto.
"He's such a natural and doesn't have the idiosyncrasies sometimes seen with young performers," Hughes said. "The Tchaikovsky is his biggest undertaking yet, and he will dazzle everyone."
Hughes pairs the concerto with a suite from Tchaikovsky's ballet "Swan Lake."
The season finale, on May 7, comes full circle with the opener, as the program also includes Dvorák.
Colorado Symphony principal cellist Silver Ainomäe plays the composer's immortal concerto for the instrument. It is preceded by the Third Symphony by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, a composer beloved by Hughes. The Third is one of Sibelius' lesser-known symphonies, which he often described as his "least fortunate" child.
Hughes noted that Ainomäe, a major coup as guest soloist, is also Finnish.
"With the Lehnerts, we look back," he said, "and with Silver, who is still young, we look forward."
In addition to the five main events, the BSO also stages its annual Halloween children's concert at 2 p.m. Oct. 31.
"It's going to be shorter and less high-concept this year, and kids can go straight from us to trick-or-treating on Pearl Street, which is in walking distance," Hughes said.
On the evening of Feb. 12, the orchestra plays a Valentine's Day-themed pops program with fiddle champion Katie Glassman.
The dates for the annual chamber music series featuring orchestra musicians have not yet been announced, although they likely will include a performance of "La Bohème" with understudies and piano accompaniment. Open rehearsal/preview performances are offered for all five main concerts.
Hughes always is keen to tout the orchestra's extensive music education programs, including the annual summer camp. Information can be found at the Boulder Symphony Orchestra website.
By Kelly Dean Hansen- The Daily Camera
POSTED: 09/19/2015 09:00:00 PM MDT
Music director Devin Patrick Hughes is enthusiastic when he discusses the Boulder Symphony Orchestra's 2015-16 season. (Courtesy photo)If you go
What: Boulder Symphony Orchestra's 2015-16 season
Where: First Presbyterian Church, 1820 15th St., Boulder, 7 p.m. (unless noted)
Schedule
• Oct. 3: "Boulder Dynasties" with the Lehnert Trio (Preview performance Oct. 2)
• Oct. 31, 2 p.m.: "Classical Music Played Foul" (Halloween Family Concert)
• Nov. 21: Opera Special, Puccini's "La Bohème" (Preview performance Nov. 19)
• Feb. 5: "Birth of Innovation," with pianist Toku Kawata (Preview performance Feb. 4)
• Feb. 12: Pops Special "Snapshot of Love" with fiddle champion Katie Glassman.
• March 12: "Party at Tchaikovsky's" with violinist Phoenix Avalon (Preview performance March 11)
• May 7: "Nature's Voice" with cellist Silver Ainomäe (Preview performance May 6)
Tickets: $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for college students, free for K-12. Special pricing for Nov. 21 and Feb. 12 events: $25, $20, $15. Preview performances: $10 except for Nov. 19, which is $15. Season passes (includes all events except Feb. 12): $100, $80, $50.
Info: 970-577-1550 orbouldersymphony.org.
The name Lehnert is hallowed in Boulder's classical music circles.
Violinist Oswald Lehnert II, commonly known as "Ozzi," was a distinguished teacher on the faculty of the University of Colorado's College of Music for 40 years and the longest-tenured music director of the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra. His wife and musical partner, pianist Doris Pridonoff Lehnert, became a beloved teacher in her own right, and their performances together as the Lehnert Duo were staples of the CU Faculty series.
The Lehnerts' last public recital at CU in 2010 coincided with Ozzi's retirement, and Doris retired this year. So their appearance as concert soloists might take some by surprise when they help the Boulder Symphony Orchestra open its season next month.
"I really didn't know they were playing again," conceded Boulder Symphony music director Devin Patrick Hughes.
He said Ozzi attended one of the orchestra's performances, was impressed by the accomplishments of the city's most prominent amateur ensemble and asked if he and Doris could perform with the group. This time, however, they would appear as the Lehnert Trio along with their son, cellist Oswald Lehnert III.
"He really wanted to do the Beethoven Triple Concerto," Hughes said. "We were excited by the opportunity to celebrate this unique Boulder legacy."
The Triple Concerto, for piano, violin and cello with orchestra, is an unusual and infrequently heard work from Beethoven's heroic middle period.
"It's a tip of the hat to the baroque concerto grosso," Hughes said, "but no piece with orchestra had been written before with the full piano trio ensemble as soloists."
The Oct. 3 season opener, 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, also includes Antonín Dvorák's dramatic Symphony No. 7. It is the first of five major programs offered by the orchestra this season.
On Nov. 21, the BSO again presents a full performance of a great opera, building on last season's finale in May, a well-received semi-staged presentation of Bizet's "Carmen." This time around, the chosen work is Giacomo Puccini's immortal "La Bohème."
"It's surprising for an orchestra to include an opera in its concert programs," Hughes said. "But for an ensemble like us, it's important. Playing and conducting opera is much more difficult than doing symphonic music, and our musicians need this experience for their development."
For the conductor, "once you've done opera, you can do anything on a symphonic podium," he said.
"We didn't want to do it as the season finale again," Hughes explained, "and going into Thanksgiving week, it's a great time for it — and Bohème's first two acts are set at Christmas."
Excellent tenor and CU graduate Jason Baldwin, who played Don José in May's "Carmen," returns to play the artist Rodolfo. Soprano and University of Denver graduate Sarah Cambridge will play Mimì.
The BSO returns with another symphonic program on Feb. 5, a Friday. Hughes will conduct the Brahms Second Symphony, which is the last of the composer's four that the orchestra has not yet played.
Hughes is not bothered by the fact that the professional Boulder Philharmonic is performing the symphony in November.
"I actually think it's a good thing when that happens," he said. "Our audiences are often new to classical music, as opposed to their more seasoned patrons, and playing the same pieces can help them to cross over, which we hope they do. We want them to go see the Boulder Phil and other professional groups."
The Brahms is paired with Mozart's virtuosic D-minor piano concerto (No. 20, K. 466), played by Toku Kawata, who is working on his doctorate in piano performance with CU professor Andrew Cooperstock. Kawata appeared on last season's opener and played Rachmaninoff.
"We bring people back to follow their development," Hughes said.
That also applies to prodigy violinist Phoenix Avalon, who joins the BSO for the fourth straight year on March 12. Avalon, who will be 15 at that time (he was 11 in his first appearance), plays Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto.
"He's such a natural and doesn't have the idiosyncrasies sometimes seen with young performers," Hughes said. "The Tchaikovsky is his biggest undertaking yet, and he will dazzle everyone."
Hughes pairs the concerto with a suite from Tchaikovsky's ballet "Swan Lake."
The season finale, on May 7, comes full circle with the opener, as the program also includes Dvorák.
Colorado Symphony principal cellist Silver Ainomäe plays the composer's immortal concerto for the instrument. It is preceded by the Third Symphony by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, a composer beloved by Hughes. The Third is one of Sibelius' lesser-known symphonies, which he often described as his "least fortunate" child.
Hughes noted that Ainomäe, a major coup as guest soloist, is also Finnish.
"With the Lehnerts, we look back," he said, "and with Silver, who is still young, we look forward."
In addition to the five main events, the BSO also stages its annual Halloween children's concert at 2 p.m. Oct. 31.
"It's going to be shorter and less high-concept this year, and kids can go straight from us to trick-or-treating on Pearl Street, which is in walking distance," Hughes said.
On the evening of Feb. 12, the orchestra plays a Valentine's Day-themed pops program with fiddle champion Katie Glassman.
The dates for the annual chamber music series featuring orchestra musicians have not yet been announced, although they likely will include a performance of "La Bohème" with understudies and piano accompaniment. Open rehearsal/preview performances are offered for all five main concerts.
Hughes always is keen to tout the orchestra's extensive music education programs, including the annual summer camp. Information can be found at the Boulder Symphony Orchestra website.
LOCATION: First Presbyterian Church - 1820 15th St
CATEGORIES: Live Music
The Boulder Opera Company announces a collaboration with the Boulder Music Institute and the Boulder Symphony to present the International Vocal Competition, featuring eight singers competing for cash prizes and roles for a fall production of La Boheme. The concert will consist of arias from La Boheme and Carmen, under the baton of Devin Hughes with the Boulder Symphony.
BMI’s Artistic Director and Vocal Technician Lauren Sawyer says “The singers featured in this concert/ Competition have been carefully chosen through preliminary auditions in New York and Boulder, and we expect the finals to be tough to decide”.
"The inaugural International Vocal Competition in Boulder is surely not to be missed says Devin Hughes of the Boulder Symphony" Featuring some of the greatest operatic arias from Puccini, Bizet and Mozart, as well as some of the most promising up-and-coming singers, the competition’s final concert will be an emotionally uplifting, superbly entertaining firework of vocal prowess. All of us at the Boulder Symphony are honored to be a part of it!"
Visiting from New York, we welcome: the Korean Baritone Youngsoo An, graduate from Peabody Institute, lyric soprano Marie Claire Currant, and Soprano Jennifer Cherest, who was recently acclaimed as “Beautifully expressive and technically polished” by the San Francisco Chronicle in the title role of Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera with the Merola Opera Program. Other local talent includes soprano Marissa Rudd and soprano Jillian Lee Stout, competing for the role of Musetta.
A panel of judges will select three winners to receive cash prizes: $1000 for First place, $750 for Second place, and $500 for Third place, as well as roles in the upcoming production of La Boheme in the Fall. The audience will also have the opportunity to vote for a favorite singer!
Tickets: $15 general admission
CSU’S MARISSA RUDD COMPETES AT INAUGURAL INTERNATIONAL VOCAL COMPETITIONMusic, Opera, University Center for the Arts | November 12, 2014
Junior vocal performance major Marissa Rudd is not only gearing up for her second performance of this fall’s opera, getting ready for fall break, and finishing up this semester, she is working hard to prepare for her performance in the International Vocal Competition presented by Boulder Music Institute, Boulder Opera Company, and the Boulder Symphony. The competition takes place this Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Boulder. Tickets are $15/public and $10/students.
According to the competition website, “singers from Juilliard, Carnegie-Mellon, Peabody, and Miami will compete again Colorado’s finest talent for cash prizes and roles in [Boulder Opera Company’s] fall production of La bohéme.” These eight singers will perform arias from La bohéme and Carmen, under the baton of Devin Hughes of the Boulder Symphony.
BMI’s Artistic Director and Vocal Technician Lauren Sawyer says that “[t]he singers featured in this concert/ Competition have been carefully chosen through preliminary auditions in New York and Boulder, and we expect the finals to be tough to decide.”
Marissa learned about her audition for the competition while she was performing at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition earlier this semester.
“I actually went back and forth between Denver and Boulder for a few different auditions that day,” said Marissa. “So I was preparing each aria in my head during the trips.”
When asked how she got into the competition vein, Marissa cited the help of her professor, Dr. John Seesholtz, assistant professor of voice at CSU.
“Dr. J is always sending us info about these events,” she said. “And he thought I should go for it, so I did!”
“This is a huge accomplishment for Marissa,” said John Seesholtz. “She’s a very talented singer and we’re so proud of her!”
Marissa was selected as one of only eight performers who represent some of the most promising up-and-coming singers who will be adjudicated at the competition/final concert. The audience will also have the opportunity to vote for a favorite singer.