CHEYENNE, Wyo. — On Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cheyenne Civic Center, the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra and Maestro William Intriligator open this year’s season, The Universe Awaits, with Mahler’s “Titan.”
This season’s opening concert features two of the maestro’s favorite composers, Ludwig van Beethoven and Gustav Mahler.
“Both composers offer intense music, yet present different perspectives on heroism, nature, strength, and overcoming challenges,” Intriligator said. “They are also works written early in their respective careers, when both were in their 20s and full of optimism, strength, and vigor; both were very aware of their own talents and wanting to make a name for themselves.”
The first piece on the program is Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring award-winning, internationally acclaimed guest pianist Adam Zukiewicz, a Polish pianist currently serving as Professor of Piano at the University of Northern Colorado. He is also the founder of the Beethoven Festival of the Rockies as well as a Beethoven scholar, performer and expert. The Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra is presenting this program in Greeley at Beethoven of the Rockies on Oct. 20.
Following intermission, the orchestra will present Mahler’s first symphony, known as “The Titan” for its power and intensity. It features a huge 98-piece orchestra with many auxiliary brass and woodwind instruments.
“In this symphony, the orchestra gets to perform some of the most exciting orchestral music ever written,” Intriligator said.
This season’s theme draws its inspiration from space. Some of the programs simply allude to it, such as Mahler’s “Titan” as Titan is a moon of Saturn, and others are directly inspired by it, like Holst’s “The Planets,” scheduled for March 16, 2024.
An introduction to the concert will take place during Lunch and Learn at the Laramie County Public Library, 2200 Pioneer Ave. in Cheyenne, from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 20. Classic Conversations is scheduled for 6:30 to 7 p.m. at the Civic Center, 510 W. 20th St., on Oct. 21.
The symphony will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Civic Center. Tickets range from $11.50 to $53. Livestream tickets are available at $25 per household.
For more, call 307-778-8561 or visit cheyennesymphony.org.
