This weekend, the Amarillo Symphony provides more than one compelling reason for joining them for the opening of the symphony’s 90th concert season, a landmark for the organization.
The concert, “Triumph,” will feature internationally-recognized, award-winning pianist Garrick Ohlsson on Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3. The composer wrote this concerto with large hands in mind, and Ohlsson has the reach to execute this technically challenging concerto.This performance is a homecoming of sorts for Ohlsson, who originally appeared with the Amarillo Symphony over three decades ago closer to the beginning of his career before he reached widespread recognition in America.
“For him to come to Amarillo is a huge testament to the history of Amarillo as well as his belief in that it’s important for him to come and perform for our audiences,” says Amarillo Symphony musical director Jacomo Bairos. “It’s just a really great coup for us and a perfect way for us to start our celebration of our 90th season.”
This concert is also our introduction to the symphony’s composer-in-residence. Chris Rogerson is a 26-year-old from New York state with an aesthetic that might remind you of American composers like Bernstein or Copland.
This weekend’s performance marks the unveiling of the first of several musical works Rogerson will compose for the Amarillo Symphony. Tonight the symphony premiers “The Way Through,” a piece inspired by Stehekin, Wash., a village that provided the setting for numerous family vacations.
“Not many orchestras our size have (a composer-in-residence). It shows our commitment to the future, our commitment to being fresh and current and keeping music alive and at the forefront of what we do,” Bairos says.
Amarillo Symphony opens the season with “Triumph,” Friday and Saturday, September 19 and 20, at 8pm, at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts in Amarillo.
