Arizona Musicfest

Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, a triumphant portrayal of the composer’s struggle with fate, is the centerpiece of this concert.  As intensely dramatic as any of his other major works, the Fifth demonstrates why Tchaikovsky was one of the Romantic era’s finest composers. This special concert also features a new work, co-commissioned by Arizona Musicfest, from the dynamic and award-winning composer Mason Bates.  His new triple concerto showcases the crossover virtuosity of Grammy-winning string trio Time for Three.

May the force be with you” as Maestro Moody leads the Festival Orchestra in an exciting evening of Star Wars music.  Showcasing musical moments from all nine movies, as well as from the expanded canon of Star Wars-related films and TV programs, the concert will highlight the mastery of John Williams and other composers whose soundtracks and themes have become as integral to the epic stories as the iconic characters.   Experience the power of the “Imperial March”. Party with the Cantina Band. Join us in a galaxy far, far away as we celebrate the music of Star Wars.

They say “good things come in threes”, and that’s certainly the case with this concert’s trifecta of the Festival Orchestra, Rachmaninoff and Copland. Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.3–often called the Mt. Everest of piano concerto repertoire–begins the program.  About the exciting young guest pianist Maxim Lando, the New York Times proclaimed that he displayed “brilliance and infectious exuberance” in performance. The concert’s triadic theme continues with Copland’s Symphony No. 3. Known as the essential American symphony, the work fuses the composer’s distinct Americana style with the traditional European symphony form.  Weaving throughout the work is Copland’s majestic theme from his Fanfare for the Common Man.