The Bozeman Symphony in mid-September launches its 58th concert season, “Music that Moves Us… to Join Together,” with Sounds of America I: Marsalis & Rachmaninoff. Performances will be held September 20th and 21st. Friday show begins at 7:30pm, followed by a closing performance on Sunday at 2:30pm. All will be held at the Willson Auditorium in Downtown Bozeman. Pre-concert talks are scheduled to begin one hour prior to each performance.
This concert marks the first of three special Sounds of America programs honoring the nation’s 250th anniversary, celebrating the heart and soul of American music through iconic works, contemporary voices and world-class guest artists.
Headlining the season opener is acclaimed violinist Hannah Ji, performing Wynton Marsalis’ Violin Concerto in D Major. Inspired by the travels and artistry of violinist Nicola Benedetti, the concerto unfolds in four vivid movements, each a chapter of an imagined dreamscape. The work blends jazz, blues, gospel and classical influences in a dazzling, narrative-rich musical journey.
Also on the program is Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances, the composer’s final work and the only piece he wrote entirely in the United States. Brimming with mystery, nostalgia and exhilarating energy, Symphonic Dances offers haunting melodies, shadowy waltzes and electrifying rhythms, culminating in a triumphant finale that is both virtuosic and deeply moving.
“Opening our season with Wynton Marsalis’ electrifying Violin Concerto and Rachmaninoff’s sweeping Symphonic Dances is the perfect way to celebrate America’s rich musical tapestry,” said Music Director Norman Huynh. “Marsalis’ work bursts with the rhythms and colors of our culture, while Rachmaninoff’s final masterpiece captures the beauty and longing of an artist reflecting on a lifetime of music. Together, they invite us on a journey that is both uniquely American and universally human.”
Korean-American violinist Hannah Ji has performed as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral leader on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. Praised by głos na Wieniawskiego (Polish Radio) for her playing as “engaging, mature, well thought-out, and honed down to the finest details,” Ji currently serves as Assistant Concertmaster of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
Performances are Sept. 20th–21st at the Willson Auditorium. Individual tickets are available for purchase online at www.bozemansymphony.org or by phone at (406) 585-9774. Tickets at the door based on availability. Adult tickets begin at $30 with student-discounted tickets available.
These performances are made possible by the generous support of sponsors Calum & Tricia DeSouza, Bob & Donna Ritchie, Bruce & Kimberlie Jodar, Angella Ahn & Richard Harjes, Skye Raiser & David Perlin, and Leland & Diane Selby. •
