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CU Symphony Orchestra features world premiere and Honors Competition winner

To experience the grand sweep of large-scale orchestral works, join us for the CU Symphony Orchestra���s diverse and challenging program on Nov. 30.

Jonathan Morris

Doctoral student泭Jonathan Morris, Honors Competition winner.

���Every year, we feature undergraduate and graduate winners of the Honors Competition,��� says Director of Orchestral Studies Gary Lewis. ���This year���s graduate winner������chose Prokofiev���s third piano concerto, which is quite demanding for the orchestra.

���Of course, the added benefit of Jonathan���s selection is that it���s truly a masterwork���it���s therefore important for our students to play.��� Indeed, Sergei Prokofiev���s popular Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26 leaves quite a footprint, programmatically; so much so that it comprises the entire second half of the concert.

���We built the program around the concerto,��� continues Lewis. ���To contrast and complement Prokofiev, we���re really honored to open the concert with the world premiere of Carter Pann���s colorful ���Tiny Bolero.������ According to Lewis, Pann���s new work ���maintains bolero rhythms and patterns, and engages all aspects of the orchestra.���

Rounding out the wide-ranging program is ���En saga��� (���A Fairy Tale���). Composed in 1892 by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, the loose-knit, generally dark-hued tone poem will be conducted by graduate student Cynthia Katsarelis.

���It���s a work that connects to the College of Music���s Finnish celebration,��� Lewis explains. The chamber music version of ���En saga��� was recently performed here and at the Finnish Embassy in Washington, DC; the CU Symphony will render the full orchestral version.

Late in life, Sibelius himself said of the work, ������En saga��� is an expression of a state of mind. I had undergone a number of painful experiences at the time and in no other work have I revealed myself so completely.���

Delve into these musical mysteries and masterpieces when the CU Symphony performs on Thursday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m. at Macky Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public. To browse more upcoming symphony concerts, visit .