Last updated 3 months ago
Denver's iconic indie band DeVotchKa joins Colorado Symphony; concert line-up includes highlights from DeVotchKa's recent releases and Grammy®-nominated soundtrack to "Little Miss Sunshine"
Artists:
Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Scott O’Neil, resident conductor
DeVotchKa:
Nick Urata, vocals, theremin, guitar, bouzouki, piano and trumpet
Tom Hagerman, violin, accordion and piano
Jeanie Schroder, vocals, sousaphone and double bass
Shawn King, drums, percussion and trumpet
Performance:
Saturday, February 18, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets:
Remaining tickets currently start at $97.
DeVotchKa, Denver's iconic indie band, joins the Colorado Symphony for a much-anticipated orchestral appearance at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 18 at Boettcher Concert Hall. Internationally recognized for their Grammy®-nominated soundtrack to the 2006 film Little Miss Sunshine and music for television's Weeds and Everwood, DeVotchKa fuses Romani, Greek, Slavic and Bolero music with American punk and folk roots. With music described as indie gypsy-rock, DeVotchKa enhances its sound with instruments rarely heard on the indie-rock circuit, including the accordion and tuba. With its bittersweet yet endearing mix of genres, the band is the ideal partner for symphony collaboration. In their one-night-only concert with the Colorado Symphony, led by resident conductor Scott O'Neil, DeVotchKa will blend the power and artistry of the symphony orchestra with their authentic sound, featuring a line-up of songs from new and classic releases, as well as Little Miss Sunshine. The results, no doubt, will offer a surprisingly rich tapestry of music that people will be talking about for years to come.
Tickets: Remaining tickets currently start at $97. Tickets are on sale now at www.coloradosymphony.org, the Colorado Symphony Box Office: (303) 623-7876 or (877) 292-7979 or in-person in the lobby of Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Hours are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
About DeVotchKa
For more than a decade, DeVotchKa has been melting its sweeping collection of influences into an authentic and totally original blend of rock 'n' roll. Like many bands, DeVotchKa spent much of their early years traveling the highways and byways.
One day world-renowned KCRW DJ Nic Harcourt introduced LA listeners to DeVotchKa on his daily radio show, Morning Becomes Eclectic. The directors of “Little Miss Sunshine” happened to be listening this fateful day, loved what they heard, and hired the band to write the score for their film. A critical and box office smash, the film was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar and, for DeVotchKa's soundtrack, a Grammy®. The little band from Denver was suddenly internationally admired, headlining large venues and performing at practically every major music festival, from Coachella to Lollapalooza. After years of toiling in obscurity, the band was selling out shows from the Fillmore in San Francisco to First Avenue in Minneapolis, with breakout performances at Bumbershoot and the Austin City Limits Music Festival. The love spread to Europe, which has become a regular destination for the band. In 2011, DeVotchKa played the biggest festivals in the United States (Bonnaroo), Latin America (Vive Latino), and the entire world (Glastonbury in England). One of the Denver highlights was performing at the opening of the C
lyfford Still Museum.
As many fans know, Valentine’s Day is a very important holiday for the band. DeVotchKa has performed an annual Colorado Valentine’s Day show for years, although this engagement is extra special. To perform with a full symphony is a dream come true for the band. Instead of having someone unaffiliated write the musical charts for the performance, Tom Hagerman spent the last couple of months diligently working in his tiny, unheated garage. He produced charts for the entire orchestra (excluding the wonderful arrangement of "The Alley" by Colorado Symphony violinist David Waldman) making this performance a true DeVotchKa original.
Last updated 3 months ago
“Tchaikovsky was one of the earlier students of the St Petersburg Conservatory established by Anton Rubinstein, completing his studies there to become a member of the teaching staff at the similar institution established in Moscow by Anton Rubinstein’s brother, Nikolay. He was able to withdraw from teaching when a rich widow, Nadezhda von Meck, offered him financial support; this support continued for much of his life, although, according to the original conditions of the pension, they never met.
Tchaikovsky, a master of the miniature forms necessary for ballet, succeeded in raising the quality of the music provided for an art that had undergone considerable technical development in 19th-century Russia under the guidance of the French choreographer Marius Petipa. The first of Tchaikovsky’s full-length ballet scores was Swan Lake which was completed in 1876.” To read Tchaikovsky’s biography click here.
The ballet Swan Lake was composed in 1875-1876 and was created from old Russian folk tales as well as German Legends. Swan Lake tells the story of a princess named Odette who was turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer. In order for the spell to be broken Odette must find her true love, or remain a swan forever.
Just in time for the most passionate day of the year, the Colorado Symphony presents a Valentine's-inspired evening of romantic classics included selections from Swan Lake. Prepare to be swept away by the romance, power and ardor that only a symphony orchestra can deliver.
Last updated 3 months ago
“Claude Debussy has exercised widespread influence over later generations of composers, both in his native France and elsewhere. He was trained at the Paris Conservatoire, and decided there on a career as a composer rather than as a pianist (his original intention). His highly characteristic musical language, thoroughly French in inspiration, extended the contemporary limits of harmony and form, with a remarkably delicate command of nuance, whether in piano writing or in the handling of a relatively large orchestra.” To read Debussy’s full biography click here.
Clair de Lune, the French meaning of moonlight, is the third and most famous movement from Debussy’s “Suite Bergamasque.” Debussy composed this piece at the young age of 25 in 1890. However, it was not published until around 1905. Originally named “Promenade Sentimentale”, the current title for this movement comes from a poem written by Paul Verlaie and means “moonlight.”
Just in time for the most passionate day of the year, the Colorado Symphony presents a Valentine's-inspired evening of romantic classics including Debussy’s Clair de Lune. Prepare to be swept away by the romance, power and ardor that only a symphony orchestra can deliver.
Last updated 3 months ago
Colorado Symphony principal harpist Courtney Hershey Bress shines in rare performance of Oberthür's luminous Concertino for Harp and Orchestra.
Artists: Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Mei-Ann Chen, conductor
Courtney Hershey Bress, harp
Program:
ROSSINI: Overture to L’Italiana in Algeri (“The Italian Girl in Algiers”)
OBERTHÜR: Concertino for Harp and Orchestra in G minor
SAINT-SAËNS: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, “Organ”
Performances: Saturday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 29 at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: Remaining tickets currently start at $19.
This weekend, prepare to be dazzled by masterworks celebrated the world over for their sheer beauty, uplifting themes and charming manner as conductor Mei-Ann Chen leads the Colorado Symphony on Saturday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 29 at 2:30 p.m. at Boettcher Concert Hall. The concerts feature a rarely heard gem of the repertoire, Oberthür’s brilliant Concertino for Harp and Orchestra in G minor, featuring Colorado Symphony principal harpist Courtney Hershey Bress. A showcase for virtuosity, the Concertino is an opportunity for both soloist and orchestra to shine.
The centerpiece of this beautiful concert is Saint-Saëns' masterpiece, Symphony No. 3 in C minor, also known as the "Organ" Symphony. While not a true symphony for organ, the Symphony No. 3 features both piano and organ. It earned its moniker due to the prominent, serene and masterful role of the organ – and instrument at which Saint-Saëns personally excelled. Today, it is regarded as one of the great French symphonies and Saint-Saëns' masterwork in the genre. Conceived as a tribute to Franz Liszt, Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3 is contemplative and fanciful, peaceful yet majestic. Tickets are still available for these must-attend concerts and start at $19.
About Mei-Ann Chen
One of the most dynamic young conductors in America, Mei-Ann Chen recently completed her first season as music director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. In July 2011, she also assumed the music directorship of the Chicago Sinfonietta, only the second person in the orchestra's history to hold this position. Upcoming highlights include debuts on the Chicago Symphony subscription series, the Netherlands Philharmonic at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and the Aspen Music Festival. Other debuts include the symphonies of Jacksonville, Naples, Nashville, Pasadena, Sarasota and the National Symphony of Mexico.
In demand as a guest conductor, Chen recently stepped in on short notice for her well-received subscription concert debut with the Cincinnati Symphony. She has also appeared with the symphonies of Alabama, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Colorado, Columbus, Edmonton (Canada), Florida, Fort Worth, National (Washington, DC), Oregon, Pacific, Phoenix, Seattle and Toronto, as well as the Rochester Philharmonic and Grand Teton Festival Orchestra. Worldwide engagements include all the principal Danish orchestras, BBC Scottish Symphony, Bournemouth Symphony, National Symphony of Mexico, Norwegian Radio Orchestra, and the Trondheim Symphony.
The first woman to win the Malko Competition (2005), Chen has served as assistant conductor of the Atlanta, Baltimore and Oregon symphonies. Recipient of the 2007 Taki Concordia Fellowship, she has appeared jointly with Marin Alsop and Stefan Sanderling in acclaimed subscription concerts with the Baltimore Symphony, Colorado Symphony and Florida Orchestra.
Born in Taiwan, Chen has lived in the United States since 1989. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of Michigan, where she was a student of Kenneth Kiesler. Prior to that, she was the first student in New England Conservatory’s history to receive master’s degrees, simultaneously, in both violin and conducting. Chen also participated in the National Conducting Institute in Washington, D.C. and the American Academy of Conducting in Aspen.
About Courtney Hershey Bress
Courtney Hershey Bress joined the Colorado Symph
ony as principal harp in 2001 and has appeared with the orchestra as a soloist on numerous occasions. During the 2009/10 season, she recorded and played principal harp with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra along with performing in the Colorado Symphony. Also during the
2009/10 season, she taught harp at the Eastman School of Music.
Bress has been playing with the Grand Teton Music Festival since 2007. In addition, she held the principal harp position with the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in Santa Cruz, California from 2002 to 2006. Bress has also performed as a guest artist with Colorado College Summer Music Festival and Strings Music Festival. Other previous positions include principal freelance harp with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, substitute harp with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and principal harp with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. From 1997 to 2000, she performed as principal harp in the United States Army Field Band in Washington, D.C.and toured the 48 continental states, playing concertos and concerts. She has also performed for the American Harp Society and the World Harp Congress.
In addition to her private teaching studio, Bress gives master classes throughout the United States. She has served as a juror for the American Harp Society National Competition. She held the position of artist and clinician for the Midwest Harp Festival in Tulsa, Oklahoma from 2002 to 2007.
Bress was a 2005 GRAMMY® nominee for her performance of George Crumb’s chamber work Ancient Voices of Children. She earned a bachelor of music degree and the performer’s certificate from the Eastman School of Music, and her master of music in orchestral performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University. Her teachers include, Kathleen Bride, Sarah Bullen and Gretchen Van Hoesen.
Tickets: Remaining tickets currently start at $19. Tickets are on sale now at www.coloradosymphony.org, the Colorado Symphony Box Office: (303) 623-7876 or (877) 292-7979 or in-person in the lobby of Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Hours are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Last updated 4 months ago
The Colorado Symphony offers 72-Hour Sale from January 16-18
The Colorado Symphony is offering discounted tickets to all of their remaining 2011/12 regular series concerts in a special 72-Hour Sale from January 16-18. Tickets to all Masterworks and Pops concerts are $29, Inside the Score concerts are $19 and Family concerts are $9. The sale began Monday, January 16 at 12:00am and will end Wednesday, January 18 at 11:59pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.coloradosymphony.org, by phone at 303.623.7876 and in person at the Boettcher Concert Hall box office. Box office hours are Monday-Friday from 10am-6pm and Saturday from 12pm-6pm.
“This sale is a great way for people to try out the symphony at a low cost,” stated Samantha Teter, the Symphony’s Director of Marketing & Sales. “We have some really exciting concerts coming up yet this season that should interest just about everyone – from Mozart to Beethoven, from Flamenco to Mariachi Cobre, from Jim Brickman to DeVotchKa. This truly is the best time to attend the Symphony.”
The sale does not include the One-Night-Only special concert with Renee Fleming on March 10. Regular ticket service fees apply to all online and phone sales. The sale is not valid on price level 5 seating or previous purchases. There is a limit of 6 tickets per concert per household.
