Andrew Litton, conductor and artistic advisor
Jeffrey Kahane, piano

KODÁLY / Dances of Galánta
MOZART / Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-flat major, K.482
STRAVINSKY / The Rite of Spring

Andrew Litton, conductor
Branford Marsalis, saxophone

BORODIN Overture to Prince Igor
GLAZUNOV Saxophone Concerto in E-flat major
WILLIAMS Escapades from Catch Me If You Can for Saxophone and Orchestra
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 10

Emotions run high in this season’s opener, as Andrew Litton leads the Colorado Symphony in a tribute to three great Russian composers, featuring very special guest Branford Marsalis. Best known as a master of jazz, Marsalis will electrify Boettcher Concert Hall with an expressive interpretation of Glazunov’s “Concerto for Alto Saxophone.” Shostakovich’s sweeping Symphony No. 10 closes the program in grand fashion.

Christian Arming, conductor
Colorado Symphony Chorus, Duain Wolfe, director

BRAHMS Variations on a Theme of Josef Haydn
BRAHMS Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny)
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2

The Colorado Symphony Chorus, under the direction of Duain Wolfe, sings Brahms to life with the intimate, concise Schicksalslied, written to a text by Friedrich Hölderlin. Sibelius’ remarkable, patriotic Symphony No. 2, which made the composer a hero in his native Finland, concludes a powerful evening of music.

Rossen Milanov, conductor
Natasha Paremski, piano

PROKOFIEV Russian Overture
RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 2

Colorado favorite Natasha Paremski returns for an all-Russian program that defines “intensity.” The thrilling centerpiece of the program, Rachmaninoff’s wildly popular Piano Concerto No. 2, will place Paremski’s skill and emotional depth on full, stunning display. Completing the evening is Tchaikovsky’s joyful Symphony No. 2 in C minor, also known as the “Little Russian.”

Douglas Boyd, conductor
Brook Schoenwald, flute
Basil Vendryes, viola

MOZART Symphony No. 31 in D major, “Paris”
DEBUSSY Syrinx (for flute alone)
IBERT Concerto for Flute
BERLIOZ Harold in Italy

This celebration of French music, art and life is the first in a partnership with the Denver Art Museum’s Passport to Paris exhibition. The City of Light inspired many of the great composers, including Mozart, whose Symphony No. 31 opens this Parisian program. Colorado Symphony Principal Flutist Brook Schoenwald takes an elegant solo turn on Debussy’s Syrinx and Ibert’s Concerto for Flute, while Principal Violist Basil Vendryes animates Berlioz’s Harold in Italy.

Andrew Litton, conductor/piano
Colorado Symphony Chorus, Duain Wolfe, director

RAVEL Rapsodie espagnole
RAVEL Piano Concerto in G major
RAVEL Daphnis et Chloé

A world-class pianist as well as conductor, Andrew Litton steps off the podium for a turn at the piano, in an evening that bathes the audience in the lush textures and melodies of famed French composer Maurice Ravel. The second complement to the Denver Art Museum’s Passport to Paris exhibition, this program is anchored by Ravel’s immortal Daphnis et Chloe, featuring the Colorado Symphony Chorus.

Douglas Boyd, conductor
Colorado Symphony Chorus, Duain Wolfe, director

HANDEL Messiah

Experience the full majesty of Handel’s masterpiece -- one of the most revered oratorios of all time – when the Colorado Symphony and Chorus exalt Messiah to new heights. Douglas Boyd, a favorite of both audiences and musicians, returns to Boettcher Concert Hall to conduct a fully orchestrated rendition of this holiday classic.

Case Scaglione, conductor

Beloved for his charm and humanity as well as his talent, Itzhak Perlman is treasured by audiences throughout the world who respond to his remarkable artistry and to the irrepressible joy of making music, which he communicates through his expressive performances.

Jeffrey Kahane, conductor
Jan Lisiecki, piano

ADÈS Three Studies from Couperin
CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor
RAVEL Le Tombeau de Couperin
RAVEL La Valse

A pillar of the French Baroque, Françoise Couperin lived and composed at the same time as some of the earliest painters featured in the Denver Art Museum’s Passport to Paris retrospective. Former music director Jeffrey Kahane conducts an homage to Couperin le Grand with works by Maurice Ravel and Thomas Adès. No French tribute would be complete without Frédéric Chopin, who loved and wrote for the salons of Paris.

Peter Oundjian, conductor
Chee Yun, violin

BRITTEN Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto in D major
DVORÁK Symphony No. 7

Join the Colorado Symphony as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Benjamin Britten’s birth with a performance of one of his most popular works. Originally written for a documentary film in 1946, The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra is a showpiece for the orchestra’s virtuosic players. Sublime audience-friendly works by Tchaikovsky and Dvorak round out this selection of favorites.

Mark Wigglesworth, conductor
Midori, violin

MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto in E minor
WAGNER / deVLIEGER Tristan and Isolde, An Orchestral Passion

Renowned conductor Mark Wigglesworth and Midori – the violinist whose talent once brought Leonard Bernstein to his knees – take the stage in a performance of Mendlessohn’s Concerto in E minor that will set your Valentine’s heart aflutter. Get swept away in the drama and romance of Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde and ensure your sweetheart has an evening never to be forgotten.

Andre de Ridder, conductor
William Wolfram, piano

GREENWOOD There Will Be Blood
BRITTEN Piano Concerto No. 1
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 1

Innovative Dutch conductor Andre de Ridder leads an eclectic program that starts with a contemporary composer and moves backwards, inviting the audience to listen in new ways. Opener There Will Be Blood, from the 2007 film of the same name, was composed by Jonny Greenwood, best known as the guitarist in Britain’s art-rock combo Radiohead. William Wolfram takes on Britten’s sole piano concerto, brilliantly juxtaposed by Beethoven’s first symphony, which introduced the young composer to the world.

Andrew Litton, conductor
Paul Watkins, cello

TCHAIKOVSKY Suite from The Sleeping Beauty
ELGAR Cello Concerto in E minor
PROKOFIEV Symphony No. 4

Andrew Litton and the Colorado Symphony are thrilled to welcome cellist Paul Watkins to Boettcher Concert Hall. Recently appointed to the prestigious Emerson String Quartet, the first new member appointed in 34 years, Watkins will display his immense talent on Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, the composer’s final and most heart-breaking work. Rounding out this emotional program, witness the Colorado Symphony’s debut of Prokoviev’s Symphony No. 4.

Andrew Litton, conductor
Stephen Hough, piano/composer
Colorado Symphony Chorus, Duain Wolfe, director

HOUGH Missa Mirabilis
RACHMANINOFF Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Dona Nobis Pacem

Colorado Symphony Artistic Advisor Andrew Litton conducts an evening of inspired works, beginning with acclaimed pianist Stephen Hough’s original composition Missa Mirabilis. Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini highlights Hough’s legendary pianistic talents before the Colorado Symphony Chorus delivers a powerful performance of Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem to conclude the concert.

Scott O’Neil, resident conductor
Yumi Hwang-Williams, violin
Wendy Sutter, cello

GRIFFES The Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan
GLASS Double Concerto for Violin and Cello
RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances

Immerse yourself in a night of distinctive, cinematic compositions with Resident Conductor Scott O’Neil. Opening the evening with enigmatic composer Charles Griffes’ lush The Pleasure Dome of Kubla Kahn, Colorado Symphony Concertmaster Yumi Hwang-Williams and celebrated cellist Wendy Sutter then lead the orchestra through Phillip Glass’ riveting Double Concerto for Violin and Cello. Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances brings the performance to a fitting close, taking the audience on a richly layered journey through one of the acclaimed composer’s final works.

James Gaffigan, conductor
Sara Jakubiak, soprano

BEETHOVEN Leonore Overture No. 3
MOZART Opera and Concert Arias
BRAHMS Symphony No. 2

Standout conductor James Gaffigan leads a night of luminous performances, highlighted by selected iconic Mozart Opera and Concert Arias. Accompanying this vocal tour-de-force are the exquisite musicality of Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3 and Brahms Symphony No. 2. This program promises to awe even the most discerning symphony and opera fan.

Andrew Litton, conductor
Vadim Gluzman, violin

KORNGOLD Violin Concerto in D major
MAHLER Symphony No. 7

Elaborate, lush and lyrical, Korngold’s Violin Concerto is famous for its neo-Romantic loveliness as well as its history. Marking the German composer’s return to the concert hall after more than a decade of film scoring, it bears notable influence from his Oscar-winning work in cinema. Symphony No. 7 by Mahler adds the finishing touch to this evocative and powerful evening.

Andrew Litton, conductor/piano
Yumi Hwang-Williams, violin
Silver Ainomäe, cello
Colorado Symphony Chorus, Duain Wolfe, director

BEETHOVEN Concerto in C major for Piano, Violin, and Cello, “Triple Concerto”
GERSHWIN/LITTON Suite from Porgy and Bess

Take a trip to Catfish Row, home to the cast of characters who populate Gershwin’s beloved folk opera, Porgy and Bess. Andrew Litton will conduct his own edition of this American classic, which is as famous for its historical significance as for songs including “Summertime,” “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” and “I Loves You Porgy.” With world-class vocalists and the Colorado Symphony Chorus, this production will make you rise up singing.