By Steven Bonifazi
(DENVER, Colo.) State orchestra, the Colorado Symphony, has announced its 2021/22 Classics Seasons schedule at Denver's Boettcher Concert Hall as Denver entertainment returns to normalcy.
The season will look like it has pre-COVID-19, with 16 weeks of masterworks programming, renowned guest artists and revered symphonic works. Those attending a 2021/22 Classics Seasons concert will get the opportunity to experience five appearances from former Principal Guest Conductor Peter Ounjian in addition to concert weekends with former Colorado Symphony Music Directors Marin Alsop and Andrew Litton and former Principal Guest Conductor Douglas Boyd, according to a press release.
“We have really prioritized who we staff the podium with because we are celebrating the return of live symphonic music to Colorado," said Anthony Pierce, Chief Artistic Officer.
Resident Conductor Christopher Dragon will additionally lead the orchestra in two Classics concert weekends throughout the season.
The season will also feature talented composers, conductors and guest artists, with the music from five women composers, including Clarise Assad, Gabriela Lena Frank, Joan Tower, Jessie Montgomery, and Florence Price being featured. An additional five women will be among notable guest artists performing this season, including violinists Karen Gomyo and Simone Porter, and pianists Natasha Paremski, Joyce Yang, and Ingrid Fliter.
Other featured soloists are famous African American artists saxophonist Steven Banks and pianist Awadagin Pratt. Opening weekend will be September 17 through September 19, featuring GRAMMY-winning pianist Emanuel Ax alongside Oundjian and the orchestra for Chopin’s Second Piano Concerto, also featuring Barber’s Adagio for Strings and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition put together by Ravel.
“Well over a full calendar year will have passed since we have been able to entertain our patrons with live music in Boettcher Concert Hall,” said Jerome H. Kern, Colorado Symphony CEO & Board Chair. “Now, as we emerge from 18 months of health and safety restrictions, we are elated to present a return season that showcases the virtuosity, skill, and musicianship of Colorado’s only full-time professional orchestra."
The 2021/22 Classics Season Schedule is as follows:
- September 17-19, 2021: Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2 with Emanuel Ax
- October 1-3, 2021: Dvořák Symphony No. 9 “From The New World”
- October 15-17, 2021: Brahms Symphony No. 1 conducted By Christopher Dragon
- November 5-7, 2021: Beethoven Symphony No. 7
- November 19-21, 2021: Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2 with Natasha Paremski
- December 3-5, 2021: Elgar Enigma Variations
- January 7-9, 2022: Marin Alsop Conducts
- January 21-23, 2022: Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5
- February 11-13, 2022: Berlioz Symphonie fantastique conducted by Douglas Boyd
- February 25-27, 2022: Beethoven Symphony No. 5
- March 11-13, 2022: Respighi Pines of Rome
- March 25-27, 2022: Holst The Planets conducted by Peter Oundjian
- April 8-10, 2022: Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2
- April 16, 2022: Mahler Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection”
- April 29 – May 1, 2022: Schumann Piano Concerto with Ingrid Fliter
- May 13-15, 2022: Mahler Symphony No. 5
- May 27-29, 2022: Beethoven 9 with Colorado Symphony & Chorus
Non-traditional programming for the 2021/22 Seasons, including Pops, Movie at the Symphony and Holiday will be announced in the next few weeks. Individual tickets for all season concerts will be available on September 1.
Nevertheless, subscription tickets for the 2021/22 Season are on sale now. Flex Passes are also available currently, offering six ticket vouchers that can be utilized by guests for best-available seats to any concert in the season, redeemable one week before the selected concert.
“While the past 15 months have been remarkably difficult for so many including performing arts organizations around the world, I’m incredibly proud that when the need was most dire the Colorado Symphony rose to the occasion, providing virtual and physically distanced live performances throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Pierce. “This season will be a true celebration for our musicians and patrons alike, providing live symphonic music and shared concert experiences that will be thrilling for people of all ages.”
For more information regarding concert descriptions and ticket information, click here or call 303-623-7876.