BOULDER, Colo. Nov. 2, 2023 — Boulder Symphony announces its first masterworks concert of the season that will feature an unforgettable program of three staples in classical music. The concert will take place at 1820 15th Street, in downtown Boulder, on Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
The concert will open with Jean Sibelius’ “Finlandia,” Op. 26. This piece has long been celebrated for its emotional depth and stirring melodies.
Boulder Symphony’s own principal cellist Erin Patterson will then take center stage to perform the Colorado premiere of Anna Clyne’s “Dance” Cello Concerto. Clyne, a Grammy-nominated female composer currently based in New York, has been heralded as “Immediate, mystical, and vibrant” by the New York Times. “Dance” is a contemporary masterpiece that seamlessly blends classical and modern elements. Erin Patterson, soloist for this concert, says:
I was first introduced to Anna Clyne’s music when Boulder Symphony played “Sound and Fury” in 2021. I immediately started exploring her catalog and discovered “Dance.” I was in the airport and listened to the concerto nonstop on my next flight. I really fell in love with this piece when I started learning it. It’s raw, soul-bearing, emotionally powerful music, and I feel honored to perform the Colorado premiere of this incredible piece with Devin and the Boulder Symphony!
Closing the program is Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27, a symphony known for its lush melodies, dramatic grandeur, and for being a true masterpiece of the Romantic period.
Devin Patrick Hughes, conductor and music director of the Boulder Symphony, says:
This program has something for everyone. One of the most beautiful and exciting symphonies ever written, Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony touches emotions I didn’t know I had and showcases the brilliance of the Boulder Symphony musicians. We have an amazing Principal Cello, Erin Patterson, and I am so excited for her to step in front of the orchestra in the soloist role playing “Dance,” a cello concerto by, in my opinion, the greatest living composer today, Anna Clyne. The music of Sibelius brings the evening full circle with the composer’s skill at depicting the natural world and humanity’s greatest struggles in his music.
The evening will also feature students of Boulder Symphony Music Academy performing in the lobby before the concert.
Boulder Symphony & Music Academy is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the highest quality classical music to the Boulder area. This concert is sure to be a highlight of the season, and a must-see for anyone who loves great music.
Tickets for the concert are available now and can be purchased online here.