Highlights
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The “Emperor” was Beethoven’s last completed piano concerto and is known for its grandeur, bold melodies, and heroic spirit — arguably the greatest work for piano and orchestra ever written.
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Olga Kern has become a Denver favorite since her Colorado Symphony debut in May 2005. In total, this will be the 13th time she’s performed with your Colorado Symphony and her first performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5.
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The Colorado Symphony, formerly the Denver Symphony Orchestra, first performed the “Emperor” Concerto on April 26, 1936 in the Denver Auditorium Arena, a venue which was later remodeled into the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
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Eric Korngold is considered one of the founders of film music, well-known for his early 20th Century Hollywood film scores, 16 in total, including OSCAR®- winning scores for Anthony Adverse (1936) and The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938).
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The Suite from Der Rosenkavalier contains some of the most beautiful melodies ever written by Strauss.
Details
Your Colorado Symphony and Music Director Brett Mitchell usher in the start of a spectacular new Classics Season with the highly anticipated return of Denver favorite Olga Kern as featured soloist on Beethoven’s vigorously demanding Fifth Piano Concerto. Possessing astonishing technique, glamour, and star power in equal measure, Kern is just the virtuoso to live up to the majestic “Emperor” Concerto as your Colorado Symphony continues their yearlong celebration of Beethoven in 2020. The program begins with a pair of orchestral showcases from the early 20th century beginning with OSCAR®-winner Erich Korngold’s Symphonic Overture, Op. 13 – a rollicking romp showcasing some of his familiar and award-winning feature film themes – and concluding with Strauss’ nostalgic look back at 19th century waltzes in the Suite from Der Rosenkavalier. This is an opening weekend spectacular that is sure to delight.
Colorado Symphony
Brett Mitchell, conductor
Olga Kern, piano
KORNGOLD Symphonic Overture, Op. 13
R. STRAUSS Suite from Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73, “Emperor”
Presenting Sponsor:
Additional Sponsorship:
The Virginia Hill Foundation