To open the classical festival, Maestro Allan Pollack will lead the orchestra in Respighi’s evocative tone poem, Pines of Rome; Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, with its lyrical second movement; and Pictures at an Exhibition, the stunning suite Mussorgsky wrote in honor of a painter friend who died young.
Stephen Prutsman has been described as one of the most innovative musicians of his time. Moving easily from classical to jazz to world music styles as a pianist, composer and conductor, Prutsman continues to explore and seek common ground and relationships in the music of all cultures and languages. From 2004–2007 Stephen was Artistic Partner with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, where he conducted concertos from the keyboard, performed in chamber ensembles, conducted works of living composers, developed and arranged collaborations for their Engine 408 series of contemporary and world music, and wrote several new works for the orchestra. From 2009–2012 he was the Artistic Director of the Cartagena International Festival of Music, South America’s largest festival of its kind, programming and curating concerts with themes ranging from Mozart celebrations, to eclectic evenings of folk and popular music of the Americas, to hybrid programs fusing art and dance music of multiple musical dimensions.
Proof of completed COVID-19 vaccination, including at least one booster, is required, and masks must be properly worn at all times while on event premises. Though it might exceed official requirements, this policy is based on current conditions and the results of our most recent audience survey.