The Season Finale concert, Classical Evolution!, with harpsichordist Jory Vinikour
Boulder, Denver, Longmont, Colorado—Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra (PMC) will be ending their concert season with Classical Evolution!, performed in three locations: Friday, February 22, 7:30 pm at First Baptist Church of Denver (1373 Grant St, Denver, CO), Saturday, February 23, 7:30 pm at Mountain View United Methodist Church (355 Ponca Place, Boulder, CO), and Sunday, February 24, 2:00 pm at the Stewart Auditorium – Longmont Museum (400 Quail Road, Longmont, CO).
Classical Evolution! explores the evolution of classical music in this century, and the inspiration from previous eras and
multiple cultures, with the use of an instrument choice from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the harpsichord.
World-renowned harpsichordist, Jory Vinikour, joins Pro Music Colorado Chamber Orchestra on this musical journey.
The concert opens with a World Premiere of composer Max Wolpert’s “Baroque in Mirror.”
“Max Wolpert’s new composition is a wonderful homage to the Baroque Era in general and the folk fiddlers of the time,”
says Cynthia Katsarelis, Music Director and Conductor of Pro Music Colorado Chamber Orchestra. “The work starts with
a well-crafted, Baroque-sounding fugue that bursts out into an exhilarating fiddle tune! The outer movements honor
Scottish and Welsh fiddlers while the middle movement comes closer to home. It is based on the Jewish fiddle music of
18th century by Abraham Caceres.”
Wolpert says ‘It was written in memory and mourning for the victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue massacre, October
27, 2018.’ A portion of the music is labelled “Kaddish” and quotes from that prayer. Music of our time, knitting together
music of the past that speaks to the present.”
Also programmed is J.S. Bach’s Harpsichord Concerto in D minor.
“This harpsichord concerto is one of his most popular works. It is also a fantastic example of Bach the Recycler,” says
Katsarelis. “Its earliest incarnation was probably a violin concerto. By the 1720’s, all three movements appear in two of
his cantatas. Finally, it appears as a keyboard concerto around 1734, probably for a performance with C. P. E. Bach as
soloist. While the recycling speaks to the resilience of the music, the original inspiration came from J. S. Bach’s study of
Vivaldi’s concertos. The concerto became quite popular in the 19th century. It was performed in Berlin by Felix
Mendelssohn’s great aunt, Sara Levy, and later Felix’s sister, Fanny. Johannes Brahms even composed a cadenza for the
last movement. It has everything we love about Baroque concertos: propulsive energy, delightful twists and turns, and
lovely affects.”
The program closes with Haydn’s Symphony No. 22, the Philosopher.
“We love presenting those early Haydn symphonies; they are filled with delights and interesting twists and turns.
Symphony No. 22, in particular, is considered a landmark of symphonic development. Haydn’s thematic invention,
harmonic spinning out, and intriguing orchestration inspire and challenge the creative imaginations of later symphonic
composers,” says Katsarelis.
The journey through the evolution of music, with use of the harpsichord, requires a musician with depth, which is why
Jory Vinikour was approached for this program.
“Jory is an extraordinary musician, the range of his work includes soloing with the Cleveland Orchestra and working with
major singers and conductors in Baroque and Classical Opera in Europe and the US,” says Katsarelis. “He was my
collaborative pianist when we were undergraduates at Peabody Conservatory; this reunion will be especially joyful.”
Ticket prices for Classical Evolution – 2018-2019 Season: $35 General, $25 Seniors, $5 Students, $55 (supporter ticket).
Groups save 15% when you purchase 10 or more Adult tickets for the performance. Tickets are available online at:
www.promusicacolorado.org. For more information, or to purchase tickets by phone, call: 720-443-0565.
image credit: http://www.promusicacolorado.org/