The Colorado State University Orchestra will be joined by an internationally acclaimed pianist in its first concert of the semester.
The CSU ensemble will present a program of Waltzes, Fox Trots and Rondos on Thursday, Sept. 24, and Friday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the Griffin Concert Hall at the University Center for the Arts, located at 1400 Remington St.
Featuring music by John Adams, Beethoven and Dvořák, the Orchestra opens with Adams’ most charming version of minimalism, the “Chairman Dances—Foxtrot for Orchestra” from his opera Nixon in China. The concert ends with one of Dvořák’s most played works, Symphony No. 8 in G major. Rounding out the program, the ensemble is joined by internationally renowned pianist Katie Mahan for Beethoven’s singular Piano Concert No. 4.
This fall, while Maestro Wes Kenney is on sabbatical, the Orchestra will be conducted by Dr. Rebecca Phillips.
“We are thrilled to have Rebecca Phillips working with the CSU Symphony this fall,” said Kenney. “Her consummate musicianship and insights will create a most enjoyable set of performances.”
New this year, tickets are *no charge for CSU students, $1 for youth (under 18), and $12 for the public. Tickets are available at the University Center for the Arts (UCA) ticket office in the UCA lobby Monday through Friday, 3:30-5:30 p.m. and 60 minutes prior to performances, by phone at 970-491-ARTS (2787), or online at www.CSUArtsTickets.com. Youth tickets must be purchased in person at the Ticket Office. All tickets are subject to a $1 ticket fee for both online and at-the-door purchases. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended to avoid lines and further at-the-door fees.
Katie Mahan
Praised as “one of the most outstanding talents coming up today,” American pianist Katie Mahan is capturing the attention of audiences throughout the world for her innovative musical personality, poetic interpretations, and graceful, charming stage presence. She possesses an unquestioned technical mastery combined with a kaleidoscopic palate of tone colors, and has been recognized as “a daring and innovative performer.” Since making her orchestral debut in 1999 with the Breckenridge Symphony, Katie has appeared in concert throughout the USA, Europe, Canada, the Middle East, Russia and Japan. She has performed with such celebrated conductors as Jiri Belohlavek, Marin Alsop — who described her as a pianist “in the style of Clara Schumann” — Grant Cooper and Lawrence Leighton-Smith. She has recently performed with the Prague Philharmonia, Colorado Symphony, West Virginia Symphony, Cheyenne Symphony, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Boulder Philharmonic, Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra and the Wiener Residenz Orchestra, among others. During the 2013-14 season, Katie will be presented by Weltklassik am Klavier in a concert tour of Germany, along with recitals and concerto performances throughout Europe and the USA. She has recorded six independently released CDs featuring diverse repertoire, and has just completed a series of three CDs at the famous Emil Berliner Studios in Berlin, including a Chopin album, a Debussy album and a Beethoven album. Katie is also committed to finding new ways to bring younger audiences to classical music through multimedia, and is in the process of producing an innovative video project on Debussy’s Préludes. Katie was a protégé of Howard Waltz — himself a student of the legendary French pianist Robert Casadesus — and studied with Robert Spillman at the University of Colorado College of Music, where she graduated with highest honors. In addition to performing, Katie devotes her time and talent to the support of various humanitarian, medical and educational causes. In 2014, Katie founded the Katie Mahan Foundation “Music for a Better Tomorrow,” which aims to promote classical music and inspire giving through music. Katie is a Steinway artist and was awarded the Classic Superstar 2008 award by the Berliner Salon.
For a full performance and event calendar, more information, and to sign up for a free event e-newsletter, visit UCA.Colostate.edu.
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*RAMCard is your ticket to the UCA! Full-fee paying students (enrolled in six or more credits) can receive one (1) no-charge ticket to all music, theatre and dance department events at the UCA. Tickets are available in-person at the UCA Ticket Office, both in advance or at-the-door. A valid RAMCard must be presented for ticket redemption. Tickets are limited to one (1) per student for each performance/series of performances (i.e. multiple theatre or dance performances of the same show). Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Excludes Classical Convergence and community produced events.
