Masterworks VI: Passion Poetics

Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op 21
Faure: Masques et Bergamasques
Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 3 in C minor “Organ” Op. 78

Gustavo Romero

April 24, 2010 7:30PM-10:00PM at Flathead High School Auditorium, Kalispell
April 25, 2010 3:00PM-5:30PM at Flathead High School Auditorium, Kalispell

Masterworks VI: Passion Poetics Our final Masterworks program again features music from two significant pianist composers Chopin and Saint-Saens. The concert however begins with Gabrielle Faure’s delightful orchestral suite Masques et Bergamasques Op. 112. A rather late work it is a musical homage to the 18th century “fetes galantes” composed in 1919 and commissioned by the then Prince of Monaco. We mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederic Chopin and honor this great composer of piano literature with this performance of the Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor Op. 21. This concerto, actually the first of the two to be composed was completed and performed by Chopin in Warsaw in 1830 when Chopin was 20 year old. Appearing as our soloists will be the acclaimed Mexican/American pianist Gustavo Romero who will bring his substantial technique and interpretive insights to this deeply poetic and rhapsodic Chopin work. The Symphony No. 3 in C minor by Camille Saint-Saens is one of his most frequently performed orchestral works composed in 1866 when this prodigious composer and pianist at the zenith of his career. The organ is called upon in two of the four movements but the composer also requires piano four hands in the instrumentation. The work was dedicated to yet one more influential 19th century pianist, Franz Liszt. It is one of the most popular works by this French master and adequately captures the élan and esprit of his times. An orchestral finale in grand style!