Russian Masterpieces crown Colorado Symphony Summer Seasonings

July 6, 2011 - PRLog -- The Colorado Symphony's "Summer Seasonings" presented by PCL trio of concerts concludes with the jewels in the crown of Russian music: an evening featuring the most popular works of Russian and Soviet-era composers on Friday, July 22. Resident conductor Scott O'Neil and the Colorado Symphony treat audiences to all their favorites at "Summer Seasonings" - "Russian Masterpieces," including Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Suite, Prokofiev's "The Montagues and Capulets" (also known as "Dance of the Knights") from the Romeo and Juliet Suite, and Shostakovich's Festive Overture. Concertgoers will also enjoy selected movements from Stravinsky's "The Firebird," Rimsky-Korsakov's Mlada Suite, and Mussorsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition," as well as Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Flight of the Bumblebee" - the instantly-recognizable orchestral interlude written for his opera, "The Tale of Tsar Saltan." Concert tickets currently start at $15 and are on sale now.

Presented by PCL, the "Summer Seasonings" at Boettcher Concert Hall trio of concerts also includes the return of the popular Inside the Score concert "Best of Beethoven" on Friday, July 8, as well as the "John Williams Spectacular" featuring music from films such as "ET," "Jurassic Park," "Harry Potter" and "Star Wars" on Friday, July 15.

Summer Seasonings - "Russian Masterpieces" also offers pre-concert dining at Row 14 for $50 per person and includes a three-course meal and a glass of champagne or wine. This is a rare chance to savor a delicious dinner at one of Denver's premier new restaurants, just across 14th Street from Boettcher Concert Hall at 891 14th Street. Patrons can make reservations today by calling the Colorado Symphony Box Office at (303) 623-7876.

The Row 14 prix fixe menu for Summer Seasonings presented by PCL:

First Course:
Sweet Corn Soup, crispy duck cracklings
OR
House Salad, baby lettuces, radish, cucumber, turnip, lemon vinaigrette

Entrée:
Roasted Chicken Breast, blue cheese polenta, broccolini, herb jus
OR
Grilled Scottish Salmon, asparagus, pearl couscous salad, preserved lemon
OR
Braised Short Ribs, potato cake, pickled green papaya, Thai curry sauce

Dessert:
Caramelized Pineapple Empanada, piña colada crème anglaise
OR
Flourless Chocolate Cake, crème anglaise, hazelnut brittle
A fresh vegetarian option will be available each night as well.

Concert Tickets:
Tickets currently start from $15 and are for sale at the Colorado Symphony Box Office at www.coloradosymphony.org, by calling (303) 623-7876 or (877) 292-7979, or in-person in the lobby of Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Hours are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Artists:
Colorado Symphony - Summer Seasonings presented by PCL
Scott O'Neil, resident conductor

Program:
SHOSTAKOVICH: Festive Overture in A Major, Op. 96
GLIÈRE: Russian Sailors Dance from "The Red Poppy"
RACHMANINOFF: Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: "Procession of the Nobles" from the Mlada Suite
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: "Flight of the Bumblebee" from "Tsar Saltan"
MUSSORGSKY/RAVEL: "Baba Yaga" and "The Great Gate of Kiev" from "Pictures at an Exhibition"
KHACHATURIAN: "Sabre Dance" from the ballet, "Gayane"
PROKOFIEV: "The Montagues and Capulets" and "Romeo at the Grave of Juliet" from Suite No. 2 from "Romeo and Juliet," Op. 64
TCHAIKOVSKY: Scene 1 (Swan Theme) and Scene 4 from the Swan Lake Suite, Op. 20
STRAVINSKY: "Infernal Dance," "Berceuse" and "Finale" from "The Firebird" (L'oiseau de feu), concert suite for orchestra No. 2

Performance:
7:30 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2011

Location:
Boettcher Concert Hall

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Originally established in 1989 as the successor to the Denver Symphony, the Colorado Symphony performs in Boettcher Concert Hall and throughout the Front Range, presenting outstanding education and outreach programs, as well as Masterworks, Pops, Holiday, Family, and the exciting new "Inside the Score" series that has attracted a historic level of first-time concertgoers. By presenting music that is both timeless and inspiring, while taking risks with new musical collaborations and interactive concerts, the Colorado Symphony is attracting more diverse and younger audiences than ever before. To date, 30 percent of the 2010/11 season concertgoers are new patrons. The increasing popularity of Colorado Symphony concerts as well as a strong fund-raising base not only re-affirms the artistic excellence of the orchestra, but also reflects the deep-rooted enthusiasm for symphonic music felt by so many individuals across the region. For more information, visit www.coloradosymphony.org.