Since 1949, the Fort Collins Symphony (FCS) has offered exceptional classical, traditional, contemporary, and popular symphonic performances to northern Colorado residents and visitors. The FCS Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2019-20 repertoire of Platinum Season 70.Under the leadership of award-winning conductor Maestro Wes Kenney, this exciting season includes five Masterworks concerts, the popular Pops concert, and numerous community outreach programs for children, families, and seniors.
The word “Platinum” conjures up images of one of the world’s rarest and most exquisite precious metals. In the music industry’s parlance, a platinum album signifies highest honors. Perhaps less well known, platinum is the designated gift for a 70th anniversary (which is a rare and special event, indeed).
The FCS Season 70 repertoire is no exception. It is filled with exquisite works from time-honored composers, including a 250th anniversary tribute to Ludwig van Beethoven. The sparkling works of 20th century composers will be highlighted throughout, three new compositions will premiere, and bright (and fun) SciFi works will light up the annual Pops concert.
The Symphony’s five Masterworks concerts will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Center (417 West Magnolia Street, Fort Collins). The Pops concert will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Timberline Church (2908 S. Timberline Road, Fort Collins):
Masterworks 1 – October 5, 2019
This opening evening includes a new work commissioned from composer and Rocky Mountain High School graduate Chris Pilsner. The delightful Lieutenant Kijé Suite by Sergei Prokofiev weaves the tale of a fictionalized soldier who was created to cover up some bureaucratic errors. Finally, from the imagination of Hector Berlioz comes the revolutionary Symphonie Fantastique, a masterpiece that alludes to a gifted artist and his deep despair over an unrequited love.
Masterworks 2 – November 2, 2019
The concert features the unique opportunity to hear the internationally acclaimed pianist Sara Buechner perform two Piano Concertos in A minor, one written by Clara Schumann and the other composed by husband Robert Schumann. The evening includes Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn by Johannes Brahms, and the overture from German romanticist Carl Maria von Weber’s early operaPeter Schmoll und seine Nachbarn.
Masterworks 3 – February 1, 2020
Boris Allakhverdyan, the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s principal clarinetist, joins the FCS to play Alexey Shor’s Verdiana and Béla Kovács’ lively klezmer-tonedSholem Alekhem, Rov Feidman! The concert includes Benjamin Britten’s movingFour Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes. The evening wraps up with the gold standard of orchestral works: Ludwig van Beethoven’s blockbuster Symphony No. 5 in C minor. His iconic four-note opening motif is perhaps the most recognizable theme ever composed.
Masterworks 4 – March 7, 2020
Assistant Conductor Inho Kim of the Changwon Philharmonic (South Korea) returns to Fort Collins. With him he brings Nan-Jang, a new work by composer Jiman Kim. Dongwook Kim, Changwon’s principal flutist, will perform Carl Reinecke’s sparkling Flute Concerto in D Major. Maestro Kim will also conduct Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 36, “Linz.” Maurice Ravel’s memorial tribute to fallen friends from the Great War, Le Tombeau de Couperin, will complete the evening.
FCS Pops Concert – March 27, 2020
The FCS will blast off on an orchestrated SciFi intergalactic tour powered by some of Hollywood’s most exciting and iconic themes, including: Alien, Avatar, The X Files, Star Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek, and Lost in Space, among others. (Concert performed at 7:00 p.m. at Timberline Church.)
Masterworks 5 – May 9, 2020
The FCS will premiere a newly commissioned piece by James David, Associate Professor of Composition and Music Theory at Colorado State University. The Larimer Chorale will join the FCS for Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection,” one of his most popular and successful works. This monumental experience in sound and emotion will bring the Platinum Season 70 celebration to a glittering conclusion.
Tickets Sales: The Lincoln Center Box Office – 970.221.6730 – LCTix.org
Tickets for season subscribers and bundle packages are on sale now. Single tickets go on-sale August 14, 2019.
FCS Season 70 Sponsors to date are: City of Fort Collins Fort Fund, Marilyn Cockburn, Alison and David Dennis, the Fan Foundation, Friends of the Symphony, the Griffin Foundation, the Kenneth & Myra Monfort Charitable Foundation, Dr. Ed Siegel, Dr. Peter Springberg, Dr. Ann Yanagi and Dr. Scott Johnston, and in memory of Melanie Valente.
For additional details and information please visit www.fcsymphony.org or call 970.482.4823.
