2024-2025 Masterworks Concert Series Prelude to Spring Concert – Denver

2024-2025 Season Masterworks Concert Series

Prelude to Spring Concert

Denver Performance

ECO’s Masterworks Concert Series continues with our Prelude to Spring Concert, which features orchestral works by composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Savor the mysticism of Brazil with Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Macumba (Evocation of the spirits) from his Suite No. 2 for Chamber Orchestra. Villa-Lobos is one of the best-known South American composers of all time, and he is certainly one of the most significant Brazilian composers. Macumba is a generic term for various Afro-Brazilian religions comparable to “black magic” in English and Villa-Lobos masterfully translates the enigma of the supernatural into this captivating work.

Next, embark on a magical journey through Maurice Ravel’s enchanting Ma mère l’Oye (Mother Goose Suite), a whimsical masterpiece inspired by fairy tales. Ravel originally wrote Ma mère l’Oye as a piano duet for the Godebski children, Mimi and Jean, ages 6 and 7, to whom he dedicated the work. Ravel’s enchanting score brings to life beloved characters like Tom Thumb and Beauty and the Beast with delicate orchestral colors and playful melodies.

We are thrilled to welcome back the extraordinary Yumi Hwang-Williams, Concertmaster and Principal Violinist of the Colorado Symphony, as our soloist for our Prelude to Spring Concert!

ECO’s Prelude to Spring Concerts will conclude with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beloved Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 with Ms. Hwang-Williams as soloist. This is the only violin concerto that Tchaikovsky composed, and it has rightfully earned its place in the hearts and minds of music lovers everywhere since its premiere in 1881. Prepare to be dazzled by Yumi’s virtuosity throughout this iconic work, which demands both technical brilliance and profound musical expression.

PROGRAM:

Heitor Villa-Lobos

Macumba from Suite No. 2 for Chamber Orchestra

Maurice Ravel

Ma mère l’Oye (Mother Goose Suite)

I – Prélude — Très lent
II – Premier tableau — Danse du rouet et scène (Spinning wheel dance)
III – Deuxième tableau — Pavane de la belle au bois dormant (Sleeping Beauty)
IV – Interlude
V – Troisième tableau — Les entretiens de la belle et de la bête (Beauty and the Beast)
VI – Interlude
VII – Quatrième tableau — Petit Poucet (Tom Thumb)
VIII – Interlude
IX – Cinquième tableau — Laideronnette, impératrice des Pagodes (Empress of the Pagodas)
X – Interlude
XI – Sixième tableau — Le jardin féerique (Fairy Garden)

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35

I – Allegro moderato

II – Canzonetta: Andante

III – Finale: Allegro vivacissimo

Yumi Hwang-Williams – Violin

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