Denver Philharmonic Orchestra February 19, 2016 Concert Program

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february 19smash hits!LAWRENCE GOLANconductor

STEVEN LINpiano

MOZART

Symphony No. 40 in G Minor

RACHMANINOFF

Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

STRAVINSKY

The Firebird Suite

2 0 1 5 – 1 6 O C T O B E R 2

N O V E M B E R 2 0D E C E M B E R 1 9F E B R U A R Y 1 9

A P R I L 8J U N E 3

Welcome to tonight’s Denver Philharmonic Orchestra concert! With all the events, theatre, music and festivals that Denver has to offer, we’re honored you are spending your evening with us.

We hope to create a wonderful memory and feeling that stays

with you long after the music has ended, and sometimes even

before the music has begun.

Tonight, I’ll be thinking about wise words from Henry David

Thoreau, who said, “When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am

invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times,

and to the latest.” Thoreau must have been to a DPO concert!

Listening to our passionate musicians fill this hall with music, we

hope that you “see no foe,” but instead find opportunities to

meet your neighbors, mingle with musicians, and take part in

the community offerings hosted by the DPO all season long!

Please, sit back, relax, silence (but do not put away) your phone

and experience the music! If you have any questions, or would

like to share your personal DPO story, please feel free to talk

with us: look for anyone with a blue name tag, or come and find

me — we love getting to know all of you, and hope you will

continue to make the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra a part of

your story now and in the future!

DEAR FRIENDS,

Sincerely,

Jon Olafson

President of the Board, DPO

How ’bout them

Broncos?! Von Miller

delivered some smash

hits, tonight it’s our turn!

3

OCTOBER 2 NATURE’S REALMLAWRENCE GOLAN, conductor and violin

VIVALDI “Autumn” from The Four SeasonsDVORÁK In Nature’s RealmTCHAIKOVSKY The Tempest; Fantasy-Overture, Op. 18SIBELIUS Symphony No. 5

NOVEMBER 20 INEXTINGUISHABLELAWRENCE GOLAN, conductorJAY CAMPBELL, cello

LOCKLAIR Phoenix for Orchestra (Colorado premiere)ELGAR Cello ConcertoNIELSEN Symphony No. 4 “Inextinguishable”

DECEMBER 19 HOLIDAY CHEER!SCOTT O’NEIL, guest conductorSYDNEY HARPER, sopranoand featuring COLORADO REPERTORY SINGERS, KYLE FLEMING, artistic director

Holiday favorites including:

CORELLI Excerpts from “Christmas Concerto”HANDEL Selections from MessiahTCHAIKOVSKY Selections from The Nutcracker

Full repertoire available at denverphilharmonic.org

FEBRUARY 19 SMASH HITS!LAWRENCE GOLAN, conductorSTEVEN LIN, piano

MOZART Symphony No. 40 in G MinorRACHMANINOFF Rhapsody on a Theme of PaganiniSTRAVINSKY The Firebird Suite

APRIL 8 THE ONE RING FEATURING THE LORD OF THE RINGS SYMPHONYS. MORDECAI FUHRMAN, guest conductorAARON WILLE, flute

BERLIOZ Les Franc-Juges (Judges of the Secret Court)BLOCH Suite ModaleDE MEIJ, ORCH . VLIEGER Symphony No. 1 “Lord of the Rings”

JUNE 3 EUROTRIPLAWRENCE GOLAN, conductor

LI, CHUNLAI Ode to the Red FlagFRANCK Symphony in D MinorGERSHWIN , ARR. WHITNEY An American in Paris SuiteSMETANA The MoldauSTRAUSS JR. On the Beautiful Blue DanubeKREISLER, ARR. MCALISTER LiebesleidMONTI Czardas

BUY TICKETS ATdenverphilharmonic.org

2015–16season.

4 2 0 1 5 – 1 6 T H E S I X T Y - E I G H T H S E A S O N

Keeping you connected with in-depth news and music discovery.

Inform. Enlighten. Entertain.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2016SMASH HITS!Central Presbyterian Church · Denver, Colorado · 7:30 pm

Lawrence Golan, conductorSteven Lin, piano

W. A. Mozart Symphony No. 40 in G Minor(1756 – 1791) I. Molto Allegro

II. Andante

III. Menuetto. Allegretto – Trio

IV. Finale. Allegro assai

∙ 1 5 - M I N U T E I N T E R M I S S I O N ∙

Sergei Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (1873 – 1943) featuring Steven Lin, piano

Stravinsky The Firebird Suite(1882 – 1971) I. Introduction

II. Dance of the Firebird

III. Variation on the Firebird

IV. Round Dance of the Princesses

V. Infernal Dance of King Kashchei

VI. Berceuse

VII. Finale

MEET THE MUSICIANSReception Following the concert, meet & mingle in the lobby!


• PHONES ON — SOUND OFF! We know

you want to participate, but let’s leave

the music to the pros.

• ALL THUMBS Tweet tweet tweet all the

night through, but remember, no talking

during the concert.

• Add the hashtag #DPOtweets to your

posts so your neighbors can follow along.

• You don’t need a Twitter account to

read our tweets (just visit twitter.com/DenverPhilOrch), but if you’d like to

tweet along with us, you need an account.

• “PG” tweets only —

C’mon, there are kids here.

• Free WiFi? Now, that’s fly.

Name: cpcwireless

Password: welcomecentral

TWEET YOUR HEART OUT

#DPOTweets@DenverPhilOrch

During the concert, we live-tweet photos, facts and tidbits about the music you’re listening to. Follow along, share and interact with us and other concert-goers on Twitter.

A FEW RULES…

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LAWRENCE GOLANMUSIC DIRECTOR

In high demand across the United States and internationally,

Lawrence is also currently Music Director of the Yakima

Symphony Orchestra in Washington state, the York Symphony

Orchestra in Pennsylvania, and the Lamont Symphony

Orchestra & Opera Theatre at the University of Denver. In addi-

tion, he is the Principal Conductor of the Seoul Philharmonic in

South Korea. Lawrence continues to guest conduct professional

orchestras, opera, and ballet companies in the U.S. and around

the world. He has conducted in 26 states and 17 countries.

Lawrence has garnered considerable international recognition

for his work as a conductor. He has won 10 ASCAP Awards,

five Global Music Awards, three American Prize awards, three

Downbeat Magazine Awards, and two Prestige Music Awards.

Following a highly successful four-year term as Resident

Conductor of The Phoenix Symphony, Music Director Michael

Christie said that Lawrence “is a programmer of virtually unprec-

edented creativity and scope.” That sentiment was confirmed in

2012 when Lawrence was named the Grand Prize Winner of The

American Prize for Orchestral Programming.

The 2015–16 Season marks Lawrence’s third season as music director of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra.


Lawrence is known for his inspired performances, imaginative

programming, passion for developing new audiences, and

excellent public speaking skills—entertaining and educating the

audience from both on and off the podium. He is also recog-

nized for his expertise in the complete spectrum of musical styles

and periods. He has worked with artists ranging from Leonard

Bernstein, Marilyn Horne, Daniel Barenboim and Joshua Bell to

Frank Sinatra, Kenny G and ShaNaNa.

A native of Chicago, Lawrence holds degrees in both conducting

and violin performance from Indiana University’s Jacobs School

of Music (B.M. and M.M.) and the New England Conservatory

of Music (D.M.A.). In addition, he studied at all of the major

conducting festivals including Aspen and Tanglewood, where

in 1999 he was awarded the Leonard Bernstein Conducting

Fellowship.

Lawrence and his wife Cecilia, who is from Buenos Aires,

Argentina, have been married since 2003. They have two won-

derful children: Giovanna and Joseph. Lawrence is represented

by William Reinert Associates in New York. For more information,

please visit LawrenceGolan.com or WilliamReinert.com.

9

http://www.LawrenceGolan.com

http://www.WilliamReinert.com

S. MORDECAI FUHRMANASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR

Get out your phone and

tweet along with me

@denverphilorch! Ask

questions and learn

more about the music

— in real time. Tag your

posts with #dpotweets

to join the conversation.

Samuel has performed with and conducted Wilmington

Community Orchestra in Delaware, Center City Opera Theater

in Pennsylvania, Cleveland Pops Orchestra in Ohio, and Newark

Symphony Orchestra in Delaware, where he directed their inau-

gural Family Series in 2010.

Founder of the Reading Orchestra of North Wilmington,

Samuel received his undergraduate degree in music in percus-

sion/timpani at the University of Delaware. In 2007, he won the

University of Delaware Concerto Competition, performing Eric

Bryce’s Concerto for Marimba / Vibraphone and Orchestra with

the University of Delaware Symphony.

Samuel studied conducting at the Cleveland Institute of Music,

where he led multiple performances and received a Master of

Music degree in 2014. In August 2013, Samuel led members of

Kiev Chamber Orchestra and National Philharmonic Orchestra of

Ukraine in a performance of Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring

as part of the U Artist Music Festival.

In addition to music, Samuel enjoys studying and contemplating

cosmology and the evolution of the universe with his wife, Emily.

This is his second season as associate conductor of the Denver

Philharmonic Orchestra.

Conductor, percussionist, timpanist, and arranger, Samuel Mordecai Fuhrman is a graduate of the University of Delaware and the Cleveland Institute of Music.

1 0 2 0 1 5 – 1 6 T H E S I X T Y - E I G H T H S E A S O N

with atwist

Introducingclassical music

An intimate concert series at Dazzle Jazz featuring small ensembles, dinner and cocktails.

BLENDED BRASS MARCH 2 @ 7PM

DA ZZ L E JA ZZ 93 0 L I N CO L N ST

Seating is limited. Buy now at denverphilharmonic.org or dazzlejazz.com.

1 1

STEVEN LINPIANO

The New York Times wrote Steven’s playing is “immaculately voiced and enhanced by admirable subtleties of shading and dynamics.”

His growing list of awards include the 2012 CAG Victor Elmaleh

Competition and the John Giordano Jury Chairman Discretionary

Award at the 2013 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

In May 2014, his dynamic playing won him the Silver Medal at the

Arthur Rubinstein Piano Competition in Israel.

Recent recital engagements include his Kennedy Center debut

and recitals for Strathmore Performing Arts Center and Macon

Concert Association. As a concerto soloist, he was featured with

the Kansas City Symphony, Waco Symphony, Victoria Symphony,

Hilton Head Symphony and Tulare County Symphony.

Steven was accepted into the Juilliard Pre-College Division at the

age of 10 to study with Yoheved Kaplinsky. A two-time winner of

the Juilliard Pre-College Piano Competition, he made his debut

with the New York Philharmonic in Avery Fisher Hall at the age of

13. He has appeared on radio broadcasts including NPR’s From

The Top and WQXR’s McGraw Hill Young Artists Showcase.

Steven earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at The

Juilliard School, studying with Robert McDonald and Matti

Raekallio. He is pursuing a Performance Diploma from the Curtis

Institute of Music under the guidance of Robert McDonald.

When not making music, Steven describes himself as an ‘NBA

basketball fanatic,’ a source of great pride and commitment

which began when he was 8 years old.


Welcome to Central Presbyterian Church,an enthusiastic partner of the Denver Philharmonic and a dedicated supporter of the downtown arts and music communities. The historic sanctuary, the third in the church’s history, was designed by renowned Denver architect Frank Edbrooke and built in 1891. Though the pipe organ has been replaced several times throughout the church’s history, most recently by the Reuter Organ Company in 1962, the hand-painted organ facade pipes are original to the space. On Sunday mornings at Central, the

music of the classical masters lives

comfortably next to gospel music

and spirituals, shape-note hymns

performed in the Sacred Harp tradition,

performances by our folk-rock youth

band, medieval chant, and everything in

between. A founding member of many

successful nonprofits that serve the

downtown community, Central houses

the New Genesis Transitional Shelter in

the basement just below your feet, the

Central Visitation Program on the third

floor of this building, and is closely

involved with the Metro Caring hunger

relief center and the Colfax Community

Network.

We hope you enjoy tonight’s concert,

and hope you’ll come back for more!

www.centraldenver.com

1 3

We have a lot of fun at our concerts — we live-tweet performances, hold lively pre-concert

chats, and we’ve mingled over great eats at food truck tailgates, hiked South Table Mountain

in Golden, sipped local wine, welcomed over 80 students from El Sistema Colorado as our

opening act, hosted Valentine’s Day photo booths, enjoyed handmade truffles, brought in an

instrument petting zoo, partnered with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to bring

the Gates Planetarium (and the entire universe) into the hall, and more!

Here’s a taste of what’s in store for upcoming concerts —

THE ONE RINGAPRIL 8, 2016

PRECONCERT CHAT, 6:30PM

Join Associate Conductor (and guest

conductor!) S. Mordecai Fuhrman for an

informal preconcert chat that will give you

insights into the music and music-makers

you’ll be listening to.

SELFIE CORNER, 6:15–7:15PM

You shall not pass up this opportunity to snap

a selfie with the White Wizard! Post on all

your social media accounts, and be sure to

tag us so we can like it.

RECEPTION, POSTCONCERT

Say hello! Join us in the lobby after the

concert for refreshments, meet the soloists,

buy a t-shirt — and have fun!

EUROTRIPJUNE 3, 2016

FOOD TRUCK TAILGATE, 5:30–7:15PM

Our signature symphony tailgating is not to

be missed! Starting at 5:30pm. Sorry friends,

no booze at this family-friendly tailgate!

PRE-CONCERT CHAT, 6:30PM

Join Associate Conductor S. Mordecai

Fuhrman for an informal preconcert chat

that will give you insights into the music and

music-makers you’ll be listening to.

RECEPTION, POSTCONCERT

Say hello! Join us in the lobby after the

concert for refreshments, meet the soloists,

buy a t-shirt — and have fun!

MORE THAN MUSIC.Attending a concert with us goes beyond an evening of high-caliber classical music.

Visit denverphilharmonic.org for concert tickets and info on all of our upcoming events.


MORE THAN MUSIC.

1 5

MUSIC DIRECTOR Lawrence Golan

ASSOCIATE CONDUCTORS. Mordecai Fuhrman

FIRST VIOLINKatherine Thayer, concertmasterAllison Kim, associate concertmasterPatsy AronsteinMelissa BarruCarrie BeederMelissa CampbellMatt GroveThomas JatkoLubia MontenegroKristine PordesimoEmmy ReidBeth SchoeningVanessa VariElizabeth Wall

SECOND VIOLINYiran Li, principal Niccolo Werner CasewitValerie ClausenChristina ColalanciaTerri GonzalesMiki HeineAnnie LauryCallista MedlandWendy MontenegroAlyssa OlandAnne SilvasAlbert Ting

VIOLALindsay Hayes, acting principalNaomi CroghanVictoria DiMarzioLori HansonAna MontenegroElizabeth O’BrienAnita Zerbe

CELLOBryan Scafuri, principalNaftari BurnsKyle LaneyAna PsitosMonica SálesRachel WarbelowRachel YanovitchTara Yoder

BASSMark Stefaniw, principalZach AntonioLucy BauerJosh FilleyTaryn GalowColton KellyJordan Walters, student intern

OUR MUSICIANS


FLUTEAaron Wille, principal Whitney KellyCatherine Ricca Lanzano

OBOEKimberly Brody, principalLoren Meaux, assistant principalAlexis Junker

ENGLISH HORNLoren Meaux

CLARINETShaun Burley, principalClaude Wilbur

BASSOONKen Greenwald, principalNicholas Lengyel

FRENCH HORNDavid Wallace, principalJeanine BrantingKelli HirschMary BrauerRobyn Chauvin

TRUMPETRyan Spencer, prinicpalAriel Van DamNick Kenny

TROMBONEWilliam Combs, principal Wallace Orr

BASS TROMBONEDaniel Morris

TUBADarren DeLaup

TIMPANISteve Bulota, principal

PERCUSSIONHeather ChurchRoss CoonsJustin ElksJoey Glassman

HARPRebecca Moritzky, principalJenilee Elsbernd

KEYBOARDAni Gyulamiryan

1 7

BOARD OF DIRECTORSPRESIDENT Jon OlafsonVICE-PRESIDENT Eleanor GloverSECRETARY Linda LebsackTREASURER Allison LaustenPauline Dallenbach, Honorary MemberDr. Robert DallenbachAlixandra FeeleySarah HoganRussell KleinMaureen KeilMatt MeierTenley Oldak

DENVER PHILHARMONIC FOUNDATION BOARDKeith FisherRussell KleinAllison Lausten

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORValerie Clausen

OPERATIONS MANAGERAlixandra Feeley

PERSONNEL MANAGERAnnie Laury

STAGE MANAGERSTaryn GalowLoren Meaux

MUSIC LIBRARIANCallista MedlandAlyssa Oland, assistant

CONCERT PROGRAMLigature Creative Group, designWalker Burns, editingAlixandra Feeley, editingMaría Angélica Lasso, Spanish translationCallista Medland, editingNatalie Piontek, program notes

AUDIO TECHJoel Dallenbach

WEBMASTERLigature Creative Group

EMBEDDED REPORTERJulia ComptonMeg Satrom, editor

PUBLICITY & DEVELOPMENTNiccolo CasewitDr. Robert DallenbachStephanie Gillman, photographerEleanor GloverAli McNallyMatt MeierJeff PaulDavid Sherman

OUR TEAM


VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIESOur orchestra is run by volunteers, with no paid administrative staff. We would greatly

appreciate help from more volunteers in the areas of publicity, fundraising, concert

production, receptions, personnel, and outreach. If you would like to participate in any

of these activities, please contact Executive Director Valerie Clausen at 303.653.2407 or

email at [email protected].

OUTREACHTenley OldakKatherine ThayerDavid Wallace

DATA WRANGLERCallista Medland

BOX OFFICECris Diaz, habla españolSarah HoganVenus KleinMaría Angélica Lasso, habla españolAnnie LauryAllison LaustenAli McNallyJon Olafson

FRONT OF HOUSEGil ClausenEleanor GloverMaureen KeilRussell KleinLinda LebsackKali Sheldon

RECEPTIONAmy AndersonAllison Lausten

PARKING ADVISORSLinda LebsackHugh Pitcher

MORE THAN MUSICPARTNERSCoda BrewingThe Traveling PhotoBoothKolacny Music

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PRESS PLAY!

davidshermancreative.com

“Playing Out” is created in part by

local filmmaker David Sherman. David

specializes in arts marketing, media

literacy and education.

The latest episode in our “Playing Out” webseries, Playing Out with Steven Lin, premiered this week on YouTube.com/DenverPhilharmonic.

“Playing Out” takes soloists and guest

artists out on the town performing in and

around Denver. Watch pianist Fei-Fei

Dong play Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue

on a 16th Street Mall piano, see Music

Director Lawrence Golan on violin in the

serene Denver Botanic Gardens with

Vivaldi’s “Autumn,” November’s solo

cellist, Jay Campbell explore downtown

and perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto, or

Sydney Harper carol at The Brown Palace.


FEBRUARY 19 ∙ SMASH HITS!by NATALIE PIONTEK

During one whirlwind summer in 1788, Mozart started and completed what would become three of his most popular symphonies. His Symphony No. 40 is the second of those three.

Thought to have been an inspiration for Beethoven’s Fifth, it’s

one of only two symphonies Mozart composed in a minor key.

A PRODIGAL TALENTWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whose baptismal name is the

tongue-twisting Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus

Mozart, was born in 1756 in Salzburg, Austria. A child prodigy,

his compositional genius has been mythologized in literature as

well as cinema. Miloš Forman’s 1984 film Amadeus is perhaps the

most well-known biographical account of Mozart in pop culture.

Mozart wrote his first

symphony when he was

8 years old. What were

you doing?

Duration: 27 minutes

Symphony No. 40 in G minor, KV. 550 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791)

2 1

Mozart began composing at age 5 and

wrote more than 600 works by his young

death at age 35. By the time he turned 18,

he had composed 30 of his 41 symphonies.

He could listen to a piece once and then

write it down from memory—a technique

he exercised the first time he listened to

Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere. He transcribed

the piece in its entirety later that same day.

THE MINOR MODEMost will recognize the turbulent opening

of the first movement; in addition to

appearing in numerous television shows

and films (“Gilmore Girls,” “Animaniacs,”

and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” to

name a few) the movement’s exposition

was one of the most popular ringtones in

the 1990s.

The violins introduce the main theme,

which begins on an offbeat. This technique

creates a sentiment of yearning and

instability, the feeling of a thought left

unfinished. It’s an approach that would

be repeated later by Romantic compos-

ers, who sought often to recreate such

brooding sentiments in their compositions.

Repeated eighth notes in the viola section

drive this movement relentlessly forward.

The second movement, a dance-like

Andante, is more characteristic of the

lighthearted and sprightly music we’re

used to hearing from Mozart. It opens

in the contented key of E-flat major.

Charming, descending scalar motives (in

other words, the repeated patterns of de-

scending notes) are exchanged between

the woodwinds before this movement, too,

moves into more gloomy territories, land-

ing on a stormy chord in E-flat minor. After

some more exchanges of the little scalar

motives we heard previously—the strings

included this time—Mozart eventually

brings us back to comfortable grounds.

The movement concludes in its home key

of E-flat major.

One would be unlikely to classify the third

movement as a dance upon hearing it, but

the movement is indeed a minuet and trio.

The movement doesn’t sound like a dance

because of Mozart’s use of hemiolas: a

technique in which two, three-beat groups

are replaced by three, two-beat groups.

The technique gives the music a feeling

of being off-kilter and makes it difficult to

distinguish the meter of the piece.

The first violins open the fourth move-

ment, outlining the home key of the

symphony with an arpeggio in G minor.

This arpeggiated motive forms the crux of

the movement and is repeated by each of

the instrumental groups, modulated into

numerous keys. Rapidly ascending scales

are tossed between instruments, and the

movement rushes to a fiery conclusion.


Known for his unusually large hands, Rachmaninoff could reach an astonishingly wide interval of a 12th on the piano keyboard between his thumb and pinky finger—most people can barely reach an octave!

ABOUT RACHMANINOFFBorn in 1873 in Semyonovo, Russia, Sergei Rachmaninoff was a

composer, conductor and concert pianist. He stood at an impos-

ing 6'6" and rarely smiled in photographs. He is most acclaimed

for his contributions to the piano repertoire, which include four

concertos (five if you count the Rhapsody), 24 Preludes, and two

piano sonatas, among others.

DIFFICULT BEGINNINGSRachmaninoff had a tumultuous career full of highs and lows.

The 1847 premiere of his first symphony, conducted sloppily by

composer Alexander Glazunov, was nothing short of a catastro-

phe. Critics mocked and quickly disregarded the work. Having

spent two years composing this symphony, the 23-year-old

Rachmaninoff fell into a deep depression after the premiere.

Many of Rachmaninoff’s

works incorporate what

is known as the Dies

Irae, the theme from the

Medieval Mass of the

Dead. Cheery!


Rhapsody on a Theme of PaganiniSergei Rachmaninoff (1873 – 1943)

2 5

It would be another 10 years before he

would muster the courage to write his

second symphony.

Yet, during the long setback he expe-

rienced following the first symphony’s

premiere, Rachmaninoff also fell in

love—with his first cousin, Natalia Satina.

Rachmaninoff and Natalia’s relationship

was frowned upon by their families, but

the two married nonetheless.

In 1917, the Russian Revolution forced

the composer to depart his homeland.

Rachmaninoff immigrated to the United

States, where he conducted concerts with

the Philadelphia Orchestra, performed as

pianist, and lived until his death at age 69.

THE FIFTH PIANO CONCERTO Rachmaninoff wrote his Rhapsody on a

Theme of Paganini after the 24th and last

caprice from Paganini’s 24 caprices for

solo violin. Written as a set of 24 varia-

tions, the work features the Dies Irae, the

ominuous theme from the medieval Mass

of the Dead. Like Paganini’s Caprices, the

Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is a

virtuosic showpiece.

The variations run the gamut of emotions:

playful and serious, serene and turbulent,

plaintive and exuberant. Rachmaninoff

opens the work with an introduction

and the first variation, which, unusually,

precedes the main theme. Rachmaninoff

varies Paganini’s theme in almost every

way imaginable in an extraordinary

display of compositional virtuosity. He

writes the theme backwards, slows and

quickens the tempo, and inverts rhythms.

He modulates the theme into the major

key and turns it upside down to create

the gorgeous and sweeping Romantic

melody in the famous 18th variation. The

18th variation is often performed as a

standalone work in its own right.

The 24th and last variation is perhaps

the most technically daunting of all the

variations. Before performing it himself,

Rachmaninoff drank a glass of crème de

menthe to calm his nerves. Rapid ascend-

ing and descending passages in octaves

daunt even the finest pianist. However,

not one to take himself too seriously,

Rachmaninoff finishes this tour-de-force of

a movement with a soft, humorous little

quote of the main theme.

A SPECIAL THANK YOUTO SCHMITT MUSICfor providing the beautiful Steinway piano for tonight’s concert.


T R A I N I N G / STA RT U P S U P P O RT / M I S S I O N O P E R AT I O N S

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Stravinsky originally conceived The Firebird as a ballet; The Firebird Suite is a selection of movements from the full production. Stravinsky made three different orchestral suites from The Firebird—one in 1911, one in 1919, and one in 1945. The 1919 Firebird Suite (performed tonight) remains the most popular.

ABOUT STRAVINSKYIgor Fyodorovich Stravinsky, born in 1882 in Oranienbaum,

Russia, championed the Modern era of classical music. His music

experimented with atonality, extreme dissonance, and, in his

ballets, barbaric and unpleasant imagery. The Rite of Spring, a

ballet that Stravinsky premiered to a Parisian audience in 1913,

was so radical that the audience rioted during the performance.

The piece ended midway through because the dancers couldn’t

hear the music over the enraged audience.

Stravinsky is famously

rumored to have had

an affair with iconic

fashion designer Coco

Chanel. This affair was

the subject of the 2009

mainstream film, Coco

et Igor.


The Firebird Suite (1919)Igor Stravinsky (1882 – 1971)

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2 9

THE HISTORYStravinsky’s music is classified into

three periods: the Russian period, the

Neoclassical period, and the Serial

period. From the Russian period we

recognize composers such as Tchaikovsky,

Rachmaninoff and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

(Stravinsky in fact studied under the tute-

lage of Rimsky-Korsakov while attending

university). The Russian period is character-

ized by the use of Russian folk songs and

melodies, and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite is

one of the hallmark works of this period.

ABOUT THE MUSICThe story of The Firebird comes from

Russian folktales and focuses on the

hero, Prince Ivan. Ivan strays into an un-

known forest, the “enchanted garden of

Kastchei,” where he finds and kidnaps the

firebird. The firebird, desperate to escape,

provides the Prince a magical feather in

exchange for her freedom. It is this magi-

cal feather that aids Ivan in defeating the

evil Kastchei and winning his princess.

The Firebird Suite is composed in five

movements or tableaus. The work opens

with an ominous statement and rumblings

in the low strings, which immediately trans-

port the listener into Kastchei’s mystical

forest. The brass and winds follow soon

after, enriching the soundscape. The vio-

lins perform tremolos, a technique in which

the bow is moved back and forth quickly

on a string, and glissandi, where the finger

slides up and down a string, to create the

haunting atmosphere.

The Firebird is full of Stravinsky’s character-

istically evocative wind writing. After hear-

ing the brooding music of Kastchei’s forest,

we are introduced to the firebird, which is

portrayed colorfully by the flute, clarinet

and piccolo. The lines between the three

woodwinds are intricately interwoven, with

one instrument picking up the tail end of

an arpeggio where the other leaves off.

The parts are technically and rhythmically

devious, and for this reason they often

make an appearance on orchestral audi-

tion lists. Flourishes in the harp and strings

make this movement even more colorful.

The trumpets and low brass take over

in the demonic third tableau, Kastchei’s

Infernal Dance (do you recognize this

movement from the score for Disney’s

Fantasia 2000?). The final tableau show-

cases Stravinsky’s talent for creating

beautiful melody, and the entire orchestra

comes together to sing the firebird’s love-

ly pastoral theme.


CONCERT ETIQUETT E

BE COMFORTABLEThere’s no dress code. From jeans to

suits, you’ll see it all! Wear what you’d

like — you’ll fit in. We love you just the

way you are.

COUGHINGAhem… Try to ‘bury’ your cough in a loud

passage of music. If you can’t, or you

begin to cough a lot, don’t worry — it’s

perfectly acceptable and appropriate to

quietly exit the concert hall. Remember to

unwrap cough drops before the concert so

you don’t create crackling noises.

APPLAUSE 101In earlier times, audiences would routinely

applaud between movements to show

their joy for the music they just heard.

Then around the mid-19th century, it

became tradition to wait until the end of

the piece to clap, with the audience sitting

silent between movements.

At the DPO, we welcome both traditions.

If you prefer to wait for the end of a piece

to clap, please do. Some movements are

fiery and end in such a flare that you may

feel compelled to clap — go for it! After

a quiet movement, you may want to enjoy

the feeling of transfixion and wait; there’s

no need to applaud if you’re not feelin’ it.

Regardless, we want you to feel comfort-

able and focus on the performance, not

confusing applause rules!

If you are attending your first (or 300th) classical music concert, below are some frequently asked questions to help make your experience more enjoyable.


CONCERT ETIQUETT E

SIT TIGHTThe rumors are true — we’re pretty

informal. But we do ask that you sit tight

and quiet during the performance and

only get up between pieces or during in-

termission as to not distract the musicians

or concert-goers around you.

PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUTYou’re welcome to bring a water bottle

into the hall, but remember “Trail Rules”

— pack it in, pack it out. (This goes for

trash too!)

ELECTRONICSPlease turn the sound off on your cell

phones, pagers, and any other noise-

making device, including vibrate mode.

SOCIAL MEDIAFeel free to tweet, post to Facebook or

take photos without flash. Upload your

pics and comments online — and be sure

to tag us! We’re on Facebook, Twitter and

Instagram @denverphilorch #dpotweets

HAVE FUN!Rules, rules, rules — we know, it can be

overwhelming. The most important rule of

all is to have fun and enjoy yourself. And

then tell all your friends and come back

again and again!

3 3

ORCHESTRA SPOTLIG HT

JESSICA CLARKCLARINET/Eb CLARINETSECOND DPO SEASON. Jessica received

her Bachelor’s in Music Education from

the University of Michigan in 2004. She

also holds a Master’s Degree in Clarinet

Performance from NYU where she studied

with Pascual Martinez-Forteza of the New

York Philharmonic.

Jessica started playing piano when she

was 5 and clarinet beginning at age 9. She

studied privately with Laurie DeLuca of the

Seattle Symphony until college in 2000.

Jessica also started playing trombone in

seventh grade so she could participate

in jazz band. She played both clarinet

and trombone all through high school. In

college, she played with both University

of Michigan bands and after graduating

and moving back to Seattle, played first

clarinet with the Cascade Symphony. While

living on Long Island and attending NYU,

Cascade Symphony invited Jessica to per-

form Copland’s Clarinet Concerto.

Jessica is a stay-at-home mom to her two

wonderful girls, Mariko, 3, and Yuna, 10

months. Jessica credits her girls for making

every day a joy and an adventure. She and

her family recently moved into the house

they built in Stapleton. Her spare time is

spent putting the finishing touches on

the house. Jessica can’t wait for spring,

warm weather and the chance to get back

outside.

Jessica and her husband Toshi are originally

from Seattle. After Toshi’s four-year radiol-

ogy residency on Long Island, they are

glad to be back in the west and learning all

about Denver!

Who are the hard-working men and women behind those music stands? Get to know your orchestra! Each concert, we spotlight a few of our talented musicians. Tonight, meet Jessica, William, Loren, Mark, David and Rachel —


ORCHESTRA SPOTLIG HT

oct 11 | nov 14 | nov 15 | nov 21 | jan 24 | mar 06apr 24 | may 15 | jun 10 | dyao.org or 303.433.2420

Visit www.DYAO.org for more details, venues, times and programs!

Join Us and Hear the Future!

2015-2016

WILLIAM COMBSPRINCIPAL TROMBONESECOND DPO SEASON. William has

been playing trombone for 15 years and

is currently working on his DMA degree

and the University of Colorado Boulder.

He received his Performance Certificate in

Trombone from the University of Denver

in 2014, his Master’s of Music in Trombone

Performance in 2013, also from the

University of Denver and his Bachelor’s

of Music in Trombone Performance

3 5

and Music Education from Texas Tech

University in 2011.

In addition to alto, tenor and bass

trombone, he also plays didgeridoo.

William has performed with the Lubbock

Symphony, Denver Municipal Band,

Colorado Wind Ensemble, Metropolitan

Jazz Orchestra, and Denver Brass in ad-

dition to the DPO. On top of his classical

playing, William has been featured as the

“brass bass” for the stage show, “Dancing

at the Crossroads.”

When his work is something other than

playing trombone, it is usually based

around teaching and arranging. Both

of those pursuits are a love of his life.

William feels that nothing is better than

the joy in leading a student to a new

place in their musicianship or the creation

of a new piece of music.

Definitely a foodie and a cook, one of his

favorite things about moving to Denver

has been finding all of the little home

run restaurants and trying new foods

and dishes. William also enjoys driving

through the mountains and spending

time at home with his family.


LOREN MEAUXASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OBOE/ENGLISH HORNFIFTEENTH DPO SEASON. Loren has

been with the Denver Philharmonic since

2001 and is a graduate of the University

of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor in

Music Performance where he studied with

Peter Cooper.

Loren has been playing the Oboe since

the fourth grade, which is a rarity as most

oboists start on clarinet or flute then move

over to oboe later. An IT professional for

Denver Health by day, Loren has a wonder-

ful wife, Jade, and beautiful 5-year-old boy,

Avery, who often come to concerts and

who Loren would like to thank for putting

up with him making reeds for his instru-

ments all hours of the morning.

MARK STEFANIWPRINCIPAL DOUBLE BASSFIFTH DPO SEASON. Mark grew up

playing accordion in elementary school

and played electric bass in high school and

college. While managing a first career in

the computer industry, Mark picked up the

double bass in 1984.

Now retired from technology, Mark

returned to school and earned his double

3 7

2014/2015 Concert Season

Friday, October 16, 2015 | 7:30 pm water Günther Stegmüller, guest conductor Linda Wang, violin

Saturday, November 14, 2015 | 2:30 pm (FREE Children’s Concert)

oh, the music you’ll hear! Friday, December 4, 2015 | 7:30 pm a lso family christmas

Friday, February 12, 2016 | 7:30 pm wind Jason Shafer, clarinet

Friday, April 1, 2016 | 7:30 pm fire Matthew Zalkind, cello

Friday, May 13, 2016 | 7:30 pm earth Abigail Nims, mezzo-soprano

to purchase tickets: Visit LittletonSymphony.org, call 303-933-6824, or email [email protected].

bass performance degree (BM) from MSU

Denver in 2011. Currently embarked on an

unexpected second career as a professional

musician, Mark has been principal bassist

with the DPO since 2010. Prior to DPO,

Mark had performed several seasons with

the Jefferson and Lakewood Symphony or-

chestras, as well as Musica Sacra, Evergreen

Chamber Orchestra and the Longmont

Ballet/Dance Theater Company.

Passionate about teaching, he is now in his

third year as guest artist, chamber music

coach and bass mentor, at the Denver

School for the Arts (DSA). He also main-

tains a successful private teaching studio,

and his students are beginning to flow

into music conservatories and universities

across the country.

Mark performs year round with his trio Blue

Moon Bluegrass. Mark’s wife, Patti, is a bee-

keeper, raises heritage breed turkeys, and is

an avid gardener. They enjoy hiking together

and collecting native wild flower seeds.

DAVID WALLACE PRINCIPAL FRENCH HORNNINTH DPO SEASON. David has served

as the assistant principal horn in the

Colorado Symphony Orchestra, and

played and recorded with the Chicago

Symphony Orchestra. Broadway credits

include the national companies of

Tommy, the Phantom of the Opera,

Miss Saigon, and Camelot. He’s soloed

with the DPO, as well as the Northwest

Chicago and University of Pittsburgh

Symphonies, and the Carnegie Symphony

Orchestra. He also studied at The Aspen

Music School, Northwestern & Carnegie

Mellon Universities. He received his MA

in Instructional Technologies from CU,

Denver, a BA from St. Olaf College in

Minnesota, and teaching certification

from Regis University.


David is in his eighth year as music teach-

er at Tarver Elementary. Previous public

education experience includes teaching

choral and instrumental music at both

the middle and high school levels. He’s

been Performing Artist in Residence at

the Denver School of the Arts and for the

Colorado Honor Bands, and horn and

musical theater director at several area

high schools.

David enjoys spending free time with

his children Bud & Kate, skiing, cooking,

and looking for places to build fires.

As always, he continues his silent, yet

passionate, advocacy for bowling as an

Olympic sport.

RACHEL YANOVITCHCELLOTHIRD DPO SEASON. Rachel began

studying piano at age 5, cello at age 9,

guitar at 15. In her free time, along with

performing with the DPO, she has enjoys

singing and songwriting. Rachel’s perfor-

mance history includes three solo recitals,

playing with the Thames Valley Youth

Orchestra in Connecticut, and, during high

school, the Rhode Island Philharmonic

Youth Orchestra.

Rachel has her Associate’s degree in

Theology from Calvary Chapel Bible

College in Murrieta, California and works

full time as the Scheduling Coordinator for

a family dental practice.

3 9

Our Board of Directors gratefully acknowledges the vital contributions made by the Pillar of Fire Ministries / KPOF 910 AM to our orchestra and Denver’s classical music community. Over the past five decades, the Pillar of Fire Church has generously accommodated our orchestra rehearsals and many perfor-mances. Since 1963, Dr. Robert B. Dallenbach, and more recently his son, Joel Dallenbach, have meticulously recorded and broadcast all of the orchestra’s concerts.

SUNDAY CLASSICAL MUSIC7:00 – 10:00 PMKPOF — 910 AM

Tune in to radio station KPOF (AM 910)from 7 – 10 pm on Sunday, February 28 for an encore of

tonight’s Denver Philharmonic performance!


We may be one of Denver’s oldest orchestras, but we certainly don’t act our age.

Dr. Antonia Brico, the first woman to con-

duct the Berlin and New York Philharmonic

Orchestras, founded our organization

in 1948 as the Denver Businessmen’s

Orchestra. Antonia settled in Denver

after conducting professional orchestras

across Europe and the U.S. She debuted

our orchestra to a packed auditorium

explaining the need for a classical music

venue to showcase the talents of local,

classically trained musicians “with no place

to play.” Twenty years later, we’d be known

as the Brico Symphony, and Antonia would

remain at the helm of the orchestra until

her retirement in the mid-1980s.

After nearly 40 years under Antonia’s

baton, the orchestra chose Russian-

American conductor Julius Glaihengauz

as its second music director. A graduate of

the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow,

Julius led the newly renamed Centennial

Philharmonic for 11 seasons.

In 1999, Professor of Music at the

University of Denver Dr. Horst Buchholz

took the baton. Our most recent name

change came in 2004, and we became

the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra. Horst

served as music director and conductor

through 2009, after which he was appoint-

ed the orchestra’s first Conductor Laureate.

Adam Flatt came onboard as music

director in June 2010. Adam’s dynamic

and inspiring leadership over the next

three years continued Horst’s legacy and

further increased the artistic quality of the

orchestra.

We selected award-winning conductor

Dr. Lawrence Golan as our conductor and

music director when Adam departed in

2013. Lawrence, a professor and music

director at the University of Denver’s

Lamont School of Music, continues to pro-

duce innovative and quality programming,

challenging our musicians and delighting

our audiences.

And while we have a 68-year history in

Denver, our mission is to continually rede-

fine the way our community experiences

and engages with classical music.

OUR HISTORY

4 1

ORCHESTRACIRCLE($20,000+)Valerie & Gil Clausen

CONDUCTORCIRCLE($5,000+)Linda Lebsack & Hugh

Pitcher

CONCERTMASTER CIRCLE($2,500 – $4,999)

MUSICIANCIRCLE($1,000 – $2,499)Charles & Joan Albi

Jon Olafson

Wallace Orr

Xcel Energy

PATRON($500 – $999)Patricia Aronstein

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck

CoBank on behalf of Brian Lucius

Sarah Hogan

Russell Klein

Brian Lucius

Don & Bonnie Walls

US Bank Foundation

BENEFACTOR($300 – $499)Anonymous

Nancy Asdigia & Joseph Pompei

CoBank on behalf of Brian Lucius

Eleanor Glover & Eugene Advincula

Susan Cochran

Robert Greene & James Harvey

Allison & Matthew Lausten

Drs. Mark & Maxine Rossman

CONTRIBUTOR($100 – $299)Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

Keri Rose Agnes

Penny Alles

Jean & Michael Artin

Barefoot Public Relations, LLC

Donna & Pierre Bastien

Helen Bauer

Mary Brauer

Dave

Karin Hensel

Joey Hogan

Hospital Corporation of America

Callista & Patrick Medland

Carolyn & Gary Medland

Douglas & Mary Meeusen, in honor of Callista Medland

Kathy & Larry Meier

Montezon Family, in memory of Ronald Montezon

Jill Mueller

Norman Mueller & Christine Murphy

Brenda & Peter Oldak

Phil Pearlman & Betty Bona

Sandra Rothenberg

Robert J. Smith

James A. Stegman

Cori Streetman

TATE+BURNS Architects LLC

Karin Tate

THANK YOU!We would like to acknowledge the generous support of the following individuals, businesses and corporations.

Since January 1, 2015


Gina & Paul Todd

Gary Wooley

FRIEND(UP TO $99)Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

Anonymous

Amazon Smile Foundation

Tamara Arredondo

Carolyn Artin

Wendy Artin, in honor of Valerie Clausen

John Bardeen

Fred Beisser

Michael Bennett

Brio Gold Inc.

James & Kimberly Brody

Janice Burley, in memory of Jane Burley

Kenton & Carla Burns

Holli Campbell

Richard Casson

Nicole Chalas

Ginger T. Clausen

Justin Cohen

Esmeralda Colfax

Bob & Stacey Collins

Robert & Pauline Dallenbach

AJ & Heidi Deets

Carol Finley

Amaryllis Fletcher

Forseth Family

Laurie Gaspar

Kelly Genois

Terri Gonzales

Bruce Haefner

Nancy Hart

Michael Hoffman

Allan & Carol Hanson

Lori Hanson

David Harrington

Kurt Harris

Sally Cade Holmes

Surilda Hudson

Michele Huston

I GET DOWN Clothing & Apparel

Jonathan Icasas

Emily Kent

Terry Kargel

Kréddle Chin Rests

Catherine & Ted Lanzano

Ligature Creative Group

Brian M.

Susan J. McGinley

Matt Meier & David Sherman

Bert & Rosemary Melcher

Douglas Merk

Barbara Moritzky, in honor of Rebecca Moritzky

Chiara Motley

Terry & Joyce Olafson

Alyssa Oland

Shari Ross

Karin Schantz

Pauline Herrera Serianni

Annie & Roger Smart

Stephanie

Jane Templeton

Mike & Amanda Tine

Elinor Towler

Jim & Anne Trunkle

Pete Trunkle

IN-KINDDONORSStudio Hippo

HOTELSPONSORThe Curtis Hotel

FLORALSPONSORNewberry Brothers

Greenhouse & Florist

SEASONSUPPORTERSAccess

David Sherman Creative

Ligature Creative Group

The Pillar of Fire Church

4 3

IT TAKES A COMMUN ITYWe are a community-driven orchestra, and we survive with support from our patrons and local businesses. Help us make music with a tax-deductible contribution today. Give safely online at denverphilharmonic.org/contribute.

INDIVIDUAL GIVING DONATION AMOUNTOrchestra Circle $20,000 or above

Conductor Circle $5,000 – $19,999

Concertmaster Circle $2,500 – $4,999

Musician Circle $1,000 – $2,499

Patron $500 – $999

Benefactor $300 – $499

Contributor $100 – $299

Friend up to $99

CORPORATE GIVING DONATION AMOUNTGold Partner $10,000 and above

Silver Partner $5,000 – $9,999

Copper Partner $1,000 – $4,999

You may also consider a planned gift, or donating to the orchestra in honor of someone’s birthday,

anniversary, or in memory of a loved one.


http://www.denverphilharmonic.org/contribute

IT TAKES A COMMUN ITYIf you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, please complete this form and mail to:

PO Box 6074Denver, CO 80206

or visit our website at DenverPhilharmonic.org and click on the CONTRIBUTE link.

Contribution $ Check or Credit Card

Name

Address

City, State, ZIP Code

Telephone Email

Credit Card No.

Expiration Date CVV Code

4 5

CONTACT US!PO Box 6074Denver, CO 80206303.653.2407

@[email protected]

PUBLIC SUPPORTTHE SCIENTIFIC & CULTURAL FACILITIES DISTRICT

The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) is metro Denver’s unique commitment to its arts, cultural and scientific organizations.

A penny sales tax on every $10 purchase within the seven-county

region (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas

and Jefferson counties) supports nearly 300 institutions, including

the DPO, that provide unique cultural and scientific experiences

for millions of people each year. Many of the programs SCFD

supports provide free and discounted access to citizens. For infor-

mation on free days and organizations, visit www.scfd.org.


S. MOREDCAI FUHRMANguest conductor

AARON WILLEflute

BERLIOZ

Les Franc-Juges (Judges of the Secret Court)

BLOCH

Suite Modale

DE MEIJ, ORCH. VLIEGER

Symphony No. 1 “Lord of the Rings”

april 8the one ringOUR MUSICAL JOURNEY BEGINS with Les Francs-Juges, Hector Berlioz’s medieval musical tale of triumph over judicial tyranny. DPO principal flute Aaron Wille leads you into the world of Ernest Bloch’s lyrical Suite Modale. The evening concludes with Johan De Meij’s epic Lord of the Rings Symphony based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. DPO Associate Conductor S. Mordecai Fuhrman conducts The One Ring.

Presented at Central Presbyterian, 1660 Sherman St.

BUY TICKETS AND MORE AT

DENVERPHILHARMONIC.ORG

musicconnects ourcommunity.

is proud to support theDenver Philharmonic.

ligcreative.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Denver Philharmonic Orchestra February 19, 2016 Concert Program

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Transcript of Denver Philharmonic Orchestra February 19, 2016 Concert Program