Evergreen Chamber Orchestra – Season Opener Concert (Foothills)

Join the Evergreen Chamber Orchestra for a captivating afternoon of music to launch our 45th season! To celebrate 45 years, each Masterworks Concerts will open with a special piece commissioned from a local composer. This dynamic program will begin with a special performance highlighting the creative work of ECO’s very own long-time cellist and arranger, Mike Marecak. His piece brings a wonderful, intimate touch to the stage that celebrates the artistry right here within our orchestra family.

Next, the spotlight turns to classical guitarist Masakazu Ito—an internationally acclaimed performer and the Music Director of the nearby Colorado School of Mines Philharmonic Orchestra. Ito joins ECO to perform Mauro Giuliani’s groundbreaking Guitar Concerto No. 1. Premiered in Vienna in 1808, this piece stands as the most outstanding early masterpiece written to elevate the classical guitar from a mere accompaniment instrument into a true, commanding solo voice capable of dancing alongside a full chamber orchestra.

ECO’s Season Opener Concert culminates with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s brilliant Symphony No. 36, “Linz”. In late 1783, while stopping in the town of Linz on his way back to Vienna, Mozart realized he did not have a single symphony score in his travel trunk for an upcoming concert. Working at a breakneck speed, he sat down and composed this entire festive, blazing masterpiece in just four days. The result is an ambitious, joyfully grand symphony that marks the first time Mozart ever utilized a slow, dramatic introduction to kick off a symphonic work.

Program:

Mike Marecak

Variations On O’desayo

Mauro Giuliani

Guitar Concerto No. 1 in A Major, Op. 30

I – Allegro maestoso

II – Andantino (Siciliana)

III – Alla Polacca: Allegretto

Masakazu Ito – Guitar

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Symphony No. 36 in C Major, K. 425 – “Linz”

I – Adagio – Allegro spiritoso

II – Poco adagio

III – Menuetto

IV – Presto