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CU Symphony Orchestra features world premiere and Honors Competition winner

To experience the grand sweep of large-scale orchestral works, join us for the CU Symphony Orchestra’s diverse and challenging program on Nov. 30.

Jonathan Morris

Doctoral studentĢżJonathan Morris, Honors Competition winner.

ā€œEvery year, we feature undergraduate and graduate winners of the Honors Competition,ā€ says Director of Orchestral Studies Gary Lewis. ā€œThis year’s graduate winner——chose Prokofiev’s third piano concerto, which is quite demanding for the orchestra.

ā€œOf course, the added benefit of Jonathan’s selection is that it’s truly a masterwork—it’s therefore important for our students to play.ā€ Indeed, Sergei Prokofiev’s popular Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26 leaves quite a footprint, programmatically; so much so that it comprises the entire second half of the concert.

ā€œWe built the program around the concerto,ā€ continues Lewis. ā€œTo contrast and complement Prokofiev, we’re really honored to open the concert with the world premiere of Carter Pann’s colorful ā€˜Tiny Bolero.ā€™ā€ According to Lewis, Pann’s new work ā€œmaintains bolero rhythms and patterns, and engages all aspects of the orchestra.ā€

Rounding out the wide-ranging program is ā€œEn sagaā€ (ā€œA Fairy Taleā€). Composed in 1892 by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, the loose-knit, generally dark-hued tone poem will be conducted by graduate student Cynthia Katsarelis.

ā€œIt’s a work that connects to the College of Music’s Finnish celebration,ā€ Lewis explains. The chamber music version of ā€˜En saga’ was recently performed here and at the Finnish Embassy in Washington, DC; the CU Symphony will render the full orchestral version.

Late in life, Sibelius himself said of the work, ā€œā€˜En saga’ is an expression of a state of mind. I had undergone a number of painful experiences at the time and in no other work have I revealed myself so completely.ā€

Delve into these musical mysteries and masterpieces when the CU Symphony performs on Thursday, Nov. 30, at 7:30 p.m. at Macky Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public. To browse more upcoming symphony concerts, visit .