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Item details

Date

Saturday, April 22, 2017 7:30PM

Location

Boettcher Concert Hall

Name

On the Beautiful Blue Danube

Description

Kevin John Edusei, conductor
Gabriel Preisser, narrator

J. STRAUSS On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Op. 314
H.K. GRUBER Frankenstein!!
BRAHMS Piano Quartet in G minor, Op. 25

Old meets new with this orchestral triathalon of Austrian-influenced pieces—lead by world-renowned conductor Kevin John Edusei—shedding light on the development of Austrian cultural identity through music.

We begin the program with Johann Strauss, whose waltzes are as patriotic to Austrians as John Philip Sousa is to Americans. On the Beautiful Blue Danube is arguably the most famous, not to mention a perfect example of the natural beauty to be celebrating on Earth Day. In contrast, narrator and vocalist Gabriel Preisser will lead you through H.K. Gruber's Frankenstein!!—a contemporary, dark comedy touching all areas of culture from Viennese cabaret and classical music to folk and pop. Concluding the program is Austrian-born composer Arnold Schoenberg's orchestral arrangement of Brahms' moving and expressive Piano Quartet—a timeless piece written and arranged over 75 years apart.

PROGRAM NOTES

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Prelude Information
Don't forget to arrive early for the prelude at 6:30 pm hosted by Colorado Symphony Violist, Philip Stevens. Preludes are insightful discussions that take place before each Masterworks performance and are included with your concert ticket. For more information about the different types of preludes, CLICK HERE.

Musician picks!
Why some of our very own think you should see this performance!

Michael Thornton – Principal Horn
"I am really happy to see us perform J. Strauss’s Blue Danube Waltz in a more “serious” setting than New Year’s Eve! This is such a well-crafted and lush work, and I always love playing that opening. In addition to performing this concert on my birthday, I am really looking forward to the Frankenstein!! My first performance of this work was with Simon Rattle, and I will never forget his big curly hair as he bobbed and weaved through this incredible work. The musicians get to play everything from kazoos to hoses, and the narrator creates a spooky yet jovial atmosphere."

Courtney Hershey-Bress - Principal Harp
"This is going to be a fun Masterworks concert! I played Frankenstein!! a few years ago at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music and it will be quite a surprise for the audience. I recommend coming to see it just for its special effects."

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