Grand Junction Symphony performs Tchaikovsky!
The Grand Junction Symphony continues its 31st Season this month with a performance featuring the music of Tchaikovsky, Strauss and American composer Samuel Jones. Soprano Kara Guggenmos returns to Grand Junction for this concert, having most recently performed with the GJSO last May in the performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. The concert begins at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at the Grand Junction High School Auditorium. Tickets are $27, $23, and $18 (with discounts available for Students and Seniors), and can be purchased by calling 970-243-6787 or online at gjsymphony.org.
The concert begins with the Elegy for String Orchestra by Samuel Jones. This piece continues the theme for this season, American Dreams, where a different American Composer is highlighted at the start of each concert. Mr.
Jones is currently serving as the Composer in Residence of the Seattle Symphony, after having served as the
conductor of the Rochester (NY) Philharmonic and the Flint and Saginaw Symphonies in Michigan. Elegy was
written in the days following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, was written as a brief musical statement of the grief and shock that enveloped the country and world. Mr. Jones explains: “The music is simply and deeply expressive of the anguish one feels at the loss of a loved one.”
Kara Guggenmos joins the symphony in the performance of Richard Strauss’ Four Last Songs. These beautiful songs were written shortly before Strauss’ death, and were never performed by the composer before his death. Ms. Guggenmos returns for a third time with the symphony, having performed Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony. This piece highlight’s her stunning vocal abilities as the soprano line soars over the entire orchestra.
The second half of the concert features the symphony performing Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony. The most famous of his symphonies, the piece highlights the romantic emotions that is the trademark of Tchaikovsky’s music.
The Grand Junction Symphony would like to thank Bernie & Mary Beth Buescher, who have helped to underwrite this concert in honor of Vickey Fuoco Buescher, and Stephen Boelter & Karen Combs for assisting with underwriter support of the American Dreams theme for this season. This concert would not be possible without their assistance and continued support.