Tag Archives: El Paso Symphony Orchestra

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra’s November concerts are out of this world and ready to launch.

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Bohuslav Rattay, will perform three movements (Mars, Jupiter and Uranus) from Gustav Holst’s groundbreaking masterpiece, The Planets, accompanied by a spectacular film produced by Emmy-nominated astronomer and visual artist Dr. José Francisco Salgado, KV 265 Executive Director.

The concerts are scheduled for Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.

Since the landmark public debut of Holst’s masterpiece in 1919, humanity has learned much about our celestial neighborhood, mounting ambitious exploration projects including the Mars Exploration Rovers, the Voyager probes, and the Hubble Space Telescope.

On this weekend, science and music will beautifully combine in Holst’s magnificent score accompanied by a spectacular film featuring visuals from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), as well as historical illustrations.

The film takes the audience in a journey through outer space examining Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, the Sun, and beyond. This Science & Symphony film, produced by Emmy-nominated astronomer and visual artist Dr. José Francisco Salgado, is renowned for its finely tuned choreography with the music, creating an overall stunning artistic experience.

Dr. Salgado explains: “The film is not intended to be seen as a documentary but rather as an art piece that aims to inspire audiences and encourage them to learn more about our solar system and the Universe. It serves as a synthesis of what humans have achieved as solar system explorers.”

The concerts begin at 7:30pm at The Plaza Theatre and open with one of today’s most famous musical passages, Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra which was featured in the 1968 Stanley Kubrick film 2001: A Space Odyssey. 

Listeners will hear the Wyler Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ become a part of the orchestra in this magnificent piece.  John Williams Star Wars: The Force Awakens Suite will round out the stellar program.

The November 15 & 16 EPSO concerts are generously sponsored by the Paul L. Foster Family Foundation.  Multi-Media underwritten by BBVA.

LEARN MORE:  Join EPSO prior to each performance at Opening Notes, 6:30pm in the Philanthropy Theatre, to get insights on the program, composers and artist.

KV 265 is a non-profit organization whose mission is the communication of science through the arts to communities in the United States and worldwide. It seeks to heighten appreciation and understanding of art, music, science, and technology, and to inspire further exploration of these disciplines among its audience members through multimedia concerts, lectures, and educational workshops.

Four of KV 265 Science & Symphony films have been recognized by UNESCO for their value in education and public outreach. KV 265 has received two National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grants to support its multimedia productions.

For more information visit KV265.org.

Opening Notes: Friday, November 15 & Saturday, November 16, 2019, 6:30pm Philanthropy Theatre (Free)
Concerts: “The Planets”

El Paso Symphony Orchestra

Bohuslav Rattay, Conductor

Friday, November 15 & Saturday, November 16, 2019 7:30pm Plaza Theatre

El Paso Symphony Orchestra

Strauss Also sprach Zarathustra

Holst The Planets (Mars, Jupiter, Uranus) with film

John Williams Star Wars: The Force Awaken Suite

Tickets: $46, $41, $35, $22, $16 and $9 and $12 for students plus applicable fees.

Tickets may be purchase at epso.org, ticketmaster.com or by calling the EPSO office at (915) 532-3776.

To celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the El Paso Symphony Orchestra is giving new life to one of Disney/Pixar’s most beloved films: Coco.

“We are so thrilled to bring this unique film and event that celebrates the traditions, love for culture and family that our community holds dear!” says Ruth Ellen Jacobson, Executive Director.  “Being able to present it on Dia de los Muertos day, Saturday, November 2, 2019, made perfect sense.”

The film Coco is set during the Diá de los Muertos, the Mexican holiday of remembrance.

It tells the story of a boy named Miguel and his music-filled journey to the “Land of the Dead” where he meets his ancestors and uncovers a hidden secret about his family.

Conductor James Welsch will lead the El Paso Symphony Orchestra performing Michael Giacchino’s beautiful score on the Plaza Theatre stage, while the award-winning film plays on a screen above the orchestra.

The special performance is scheduled for Saturday, November 2, 2019, 7:30pm at the Plaza Theatre.

Ticket prices are $60, $55, $45 and $25 plus fees and may be purchased at ticketmaster.com, epso.org, at the Plaza Theatre box office or by calling the EPSO office at (915) 532-3776.

On Friday, October 18, 2019 and Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 7:30pm, Russian-American violinist Yevgeny Kutik, makes his debut with El Paso Symphony Orchestra performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto.

“Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto is one of the crown jewels in our repertoire for good reason,” says Kutik. “The melding of Russian sound, soul, folk music and virtuosity into one epic work is unparalleled, and I’m thrilled to make my debut with El Paso Symphony Orchestra to perform it.”

Led by Music Director Bohuslav Rattay, the program also features Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7 “Leningrad Symphony.” Both performances begin at 7:30pm at The Plaza Theatre (125 W Mills Avenue).

The Tom Lea Institute presents a unique multimedia experience incorporating Tom Lea’s iconic WWII paintings, sketches and photos of his time as the first embedded artist correspondent for WWII.

These elements will be synched with the powerful last movement of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7 “Leningrad Symphony.”

Yevgeny Kutik has captivated audiences worldwide with an old-world sound that communicates a modern intellect. Praised for his technical precision and virtuosity, he is also lauded for his poetic and imaginative interpretations of standard works as well as rarely heard and newly composed repertoire.

A native of Minsk, Belarus, Yevgeny Kutik immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of five. His 2014 album, Music from the Suitcase: A Collection of Russian Miniatures (Marquis Classics), features music he found in his family’s suitcase after immigrating to the United States from the Soviet Union in 1990, and debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Classical chart.

The album garnered critical acclaim and was featured on NPR’s All Things Considered and in The New York Times. In 2019, Kutik launched a new commissioning and recording project titled Meditations on Family via Marquis Classics. He commissioned eight composers to translate a personal family photo into a short musical miniature for violin and various ensemble, envisioning the project as a living archive of new works inspired by memories, home, and belonging.

Each track was released digitally weekly, and the full EP CD, produced by four-time Grammy winner Jesse Lewis, was released on March 22, 2019. Strings Magazine featured Kutik and Meditations on Family as its cover story for the March/April issue. Kutik’s other recordings include his debut album, Sounds of Defiance (Marquis 2012), and Words Fail (Marquis 2016), both released to critical acclaim.

Yevgeny Kutik made his debut at the Kennedy Center, presented by Washington Performing Arts in April 2019 and debuted at the Ravinia Festival in September 2019.

In addition to the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, recent and upcoming performances include appearances with the Dayton Philharmonic, La Crosse Symphony, Huntsville Symphony, New Bedford Symphony, the Cape Town Philharmonic in South Africa, Morris Museum, Honest Brook Music Festival, and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

Passionate about his heritage and its influence on his artistry, Kutik is an advocate for the Jewish Federations of North America, the organization that assisted his family in coming to the United States, and regularly speaks and performs across the United States to both raise awareness and promote the assistance of refugees from around the world.

Kutik made his major orchestral debut in 2003 with Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops as the First Prize recipient of the Boston Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition.

In 2006, he was awarded the Salon de Virtuosi Grant as well as the Tanglewood Music Center Jules Reiner Violin Prize.

Kutik began violin studies with his mother, Alla Zernitskaya, and went on to study with Zinaida Gilels, Shirley Givens, Roman Totenberg, and Donald Weilerstein. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a master’s degree from the New England Conservatory and currently resides in Boston. Kutik’s violin was crafted in Italy in 1915 by Stefano Scarampella.

For more information, please visit his website.

To celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the El Paso Symphony Orchestra is giving new life to one of Disney/Pixar’s most beloved films: Coco.

“We are so thrilled to bring this unique film and event that celebrates the traditions, love for culture and family that our community holds dear!” says Ruth Ellen Jacobson, Executive Director.  “Being able to present it on Dia de los Muertos day, Saturday, November 2, 2019, made perfect sense.”

Conductor James Welsch will lead the El Paso Symphony Orchestra performing Michael Giacchino’s beautiful score on the Plaza Theatre stage, while the award-winning film plays on a screen above the orchestra.

The film Coco is set during the Diá de los Muertos, the Mexican holiday of remembrance.  It tells the story of a boy named Miguel and his music-filled journey to the “Land of the Dead” where he meets his ancestors and uncovers a hidden secret about his family.

The special performance is scheduled for Saturday, November 2, 2019, 7:30pm at the Plaza Theatre. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, September 13, 2019 at 10am.

Ticket prices are $60, $55, $45 and $25 plus fees.

Tickets may be purchased online, at the symphony’s website, at the Plaza Theatre box office or by calling the EPSO office at (915) 532-3776.

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, the Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Presentation licensed by Disney and Pixar.

As the El Paso Symphony Orchestra (EPSO) celebrates 89 years and with Music Director Bohuslav Rattay entering his seventh season with EPSO, the new season kicks off later this month with special guests the Universita Guitar Quartet.

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra, joined by the Universita Guitar Quartet, take the stage at the Plaza Theatre on September 20 & 21, starting at 7:30pm.

The Universita Guitar Quartet and the El Paso Symphony Orchestra led by Bohuslav Rattay will perform an El Paso audience favorite, Rodrigo’s Concierto AndaluzI for four guitars.

The Concierto Andaluz was written by Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo for the The Romeros, also known as The Royal Family of Guitar.  The influence of the folk music of Spain and its rhythms resonate throughout the piece.

The program will open with the Overture of Handel’s Royal Fireworks.  During Handel’s time in England – as almost everywhere –  fireworks were a favorite way to celebrate major occasions. Handel’s Royal Fireworks was written to celebrate the signing of a peace treaty — the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.

The opening classical concerts of EPSO’s 89^th Anniversary Season will end with Brahms’ first symphonic masterpiece, his Symphony No. 1.

The Universita Guitar Quartet started in 2016 as a collaborative project between the guitar area faculty members of the University of Texas at El Paso, the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez and the Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua.

Its members are Hiram Rodriguez (UTEP-UACJ), Martin Espinoza (UACH), Jesus Manuel Flores (UACH) and Daniel Monroy (UACJ). Each one of them has been developing academic activities in their own universities as well as participating in guitar festivals as performers and adjudicators for guitar competitions in Mexico, Europe and Latin America.

The ensemble has performed at guitar festivals and competitions at the Juarez and Chihuahua universities in 2016, 2017 and 2018.  The quartet performs works by several Mexican composers.  Currently Joaquin Rodrigo’s “Concierto Andaluz” is the new project the UGQ has embarked on and has been invited to perform with symphony orchestras in Mexico, including the Orquesta Sinfonica de la UACH.

Prior to the concert, Universita Guitar Quartet will join EPSO Music Director Bohulav Rattay at the El Paso Museum of Art for a discussion and sampling of the El Paso Symphony September concerts on Thursday, September 19, 12pm.

Artful Preludes is presented in collaboration with the El Paso Museum of Art is free and open to the public.  Attendees are welcomed to tour the museum prior to or after the program.

Also, fans can join EPSO prior to each performance at Opening Notes, 6:30pm in the Philanthropy Theatre, to get insights on the program, composers and artist.

Concert ticket prices are $46, $41, $35, $22 and $16 plus fees.  Student tickets for $9 and $12 plus fees are available.  Tickets may be purchase at epso.org, ticketmaster.com or by calling the EPSO office at (915) 532-3776.

The September 20 & 21 EPSO concerts are generously sponsored by the Marlene and J.O. Stewart, Jr. Foundation.

SEASON TICKETS:  Season tickets are available through the El Paso Symphony Orchestra (915) 532-3776.  Season ticket prices (6 classical concerts): $228, $195, $168, $96, $66 plus fees. Discounts for the season tickets are: 20% seniors and active military, 30% educators, 50% students.

RECAP:

Artful Preludes: Thursday, September 19, 12pm, El Paso Museum of Art (Free)
Opening Notes: Friday, September 20 & Saturday, September 21, 2019, 6:30pm Philanthropy Theatre (Free)
Concerts: “Four Guitars”

Friday, September 20 & Saturday, 21, 2019, 7:30pm Plaza Theatre

El Paso Symphony Orchestra

Bohuslav Rattay, Conductor

Universita Guitar Quartet: Hiram Rodriguez, Martin Espinoza, Jesus Manuel Flores, Daniel Monroy

Handel Royal Fireworks, Overture

Rodrigo Concierto Andaluz

Brahms Symphony No. 1, op. 68 in C minor

Tickets: $46, $41, $35, $22, $16 and $9 and $12 for students plus applicable fees. Tickets may be purchased at epso.org, ticketmaster.com or by calling the EPSO office at (915) 532-3776.

After the tragic events of August 3rd, officials with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and their Board of Trustees decided to honor the first responders who helped all in the wake of the shooting.

On Monday, August 12, officials released the following statement.

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees, music director, orchestra and staff are deeply saddened by the tragedy that took place in El Paso on Saturday, August 3.  We grieve with our community and especially with the victims of this senseless act.

El Paso is blessed to have strong law enforcement agencies and medical teams that came together to respond to this horrific incident with speed and grace.

In recognition of their bravery, the El Paso Symphony Orchestra extends complimentary tickets to all first responders of this incident for EPSO’s concert “Dancing Queen: The Music of ABBA” on Saturday, August 24, 2019, 8pm at the Plaza Theatre.

To claim two tickets, first responders should contact the El Paso Symphony Orchestra at (915) 532-3776.

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, the Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

As the oldest performing arts organization in El Paso and the longest continuously running symphony orchestra in Texas, the El Paso Symphony Orchestra (EPSO) has spearheaded cultural activities in El Paso, and will celebrate their milestone this August.

EPSO will open the season dancing to ABBA’s greatest hits at its 89^th Anniversary Gala on Friday, August 23, 2019, 6pm at the El Paso Country Club, followed by a concert on Saturday, August 24^th at the Plaza Theatre, 8pm, featuring The Music of ABBA performed by the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, full rock band and vocalists.

EPSO’s rich history can be traced to a performance in December 1893.  There were at least eight other attempts to bring symphonic music to El Paso before an orchestra was officially established in 1931.

In the initial performance on January 26, 1931, H. Arthur Brown conducted his first concert with the El Paso Symphony at the Scottish Rite Auditorium.  Brown remained as conductor until 1951.

Since then, EPSO has been under the baton of six conductors.  In 1951, young Italian violinist and conductor Orlando Barera took over the podium for the next 20 seasons. The 41st consecutive season of the El Paso Symphony opened in October 1972 with William Kirschke leading for the next three seasons.

On March 24, 1975, the El Paso Symphony Orchestra Association appointed native son Abraham Chavez, Jr. as the new Music Director and Conductor.  Gürer Aykal succeeded Maestro Chavez in 1992.  Sarah Ioannides became EPSO’s first female Conductor in 2005.

Following a 2-year search, Bohuslav Rattay was named EPSO’s Music Director starting with the 2013-2014 Season.

Since its inception, EPSO has made downtown El Paso its home, performing at the Scottish Rite Auditorium, Liberty Hall, Abraham Chavez Theatre and currently in the historic Plaza Theatre.

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, the Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

To learn more about EPSO and their community involvement, click here.

Tickets for the gala and concert are on sale now online, or call (915) 532-3776.  In addition, tickets for the Saturday concert can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra will perform a free concert celebrating America’s Independence on Thurday, July 4, at Biggs Park,  located at 11388 Sergeant Major Boulevard.

EPSO Assistant Conductor James Welsch will lead the El Paso Symphony in a patriotic and pops concert featuring USO Show Troupe in salute of the brave men and women of Fort Bliss and all those who served to protect our country.

“We are so honored to continue this wonderful collaboration with the MWR. This will be our 9^th consecutive year of performing for our troops at Fort Bliss and the El Paso Community” said Ruth Ellen Jacobson, Executive Director of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra Association.  “James has put together an exciting and varied program mixing traditional patriotic music, contemporary patriotic music, and pop music performed with the USO Show Troupe.

Biggs Park will be open at 4:30pm and the festivities will begin at 5:30pm with a Cannon “Salute to the Union.”

Concert begins at 7:30pm and the evening culminates with a spectacular fireworks display.

The El Paso Symphony is working with the Fort Bliss, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) to make this event a fun-filled family day for everyone. The MWR will have vendors selling food, drinks and beer and activities for the entire family.

The concert and activities are free and open to everyone.  Visitors need to present valid ID for access to Biggs Park through Biggs gate.  Lawn chairs and coolers are welcome.  Pets, alcohol and glass containers are prohibited.  Food and beer is available for purchase.

RECAP: 9^th Annual Pop Goes the Fort

4:30pm: Gates Open

5:30pm: Cannon Salute to the Union

7:30pm: El Paso Symphony Orchestra with special guests USO Show Troupe followed by Fireworks

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra will be ‘leveling-up’ this weekend as they perform the much-heralded Video Games Live (VGL) show at the Plaza Theatre.

The concert, which – according to the New York Times – “takes the gaming experience light years beyond with a captivating, proudly bombastic show,” is set for April 13, 2019 at 8PM.

The performance includes music from Final Fantasy, Zelda, Mario, Kingdom Hearts, Metal Gear Solid, Skyrim, Castlevania, Halo, World of Warcraft, Pokemon and many other games.

VGL was created by industry legend, composer Tommy Tallarico. The multimedia concert introduces new audiences—families, video game enthusiasts and non-gamers—to the symphonic experience with exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, well-known Internet solo performers, electronic percussion, live action and interactive segments.

The show spotlights the music that enhances the most gripping video game moments—rescuing the princess, winning the boss fight, saving the galaxy from aliens or defeating the undead—with performances from recent blockbusters and iconic classics.

Praise for the immersive concerts is abundant, with VGL being heralded as a “beautiful performance” (USA Today), “simply breathtaking” (IGN.com), “Thrilling!” (The London Times) and “…a feast for the eyes and ears” (Seattle Times), and “ingenious and fantastic” (Los Angeles Times)

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tickets for VGL can be purchased at www.epso.org, www.ticketmaster.com, or call the Symphony office at (915) 532-3776, and at the Plaza Theatre Box Office.

Tickets prices are $30, $45, $60 to $75 (plus applicable service charges) and are subject to change.

Video Games Live (VGL) takes the gaming experience light years beyond with a show that combines video game music masterfully performed by the El Paso Symphony Orchestra with the explosive energy of a rock concert in the Plaza Theatre on April 13, 2019 at 8PM.

The performance, called a “captivating, proudly bombastic show” (The New York Times) includes music from: Final Fantasy, Zelda, Mario, Kingdom Hearts, Metal Gear Solid, Skyrim, Castlevania, Halo, World of Warcraft, Pokemon and many more games.

VGL was created by industry legend, composer Tommy Tallarico. The multimedia concert introduces new audiences—families, video game enthusiasts and non-gamers—to the symphonic experience with exclusive video footage and music arrangements, synchronized lighting, well-known Internet solo performers, electronic percussion, live action and interactive segments.

The “ingenious and fantastic” (Los Angeles Times) show spotlights the music that enhances the most gripping video game moments—rescuing the princess, winning the boss fight, saving the galaxy from aliens or defeating the undead—with performances from recent blockbusters and iconic classics.

Praise for the immersive concerts is abundant, with VGL being heralded as a “beautiful performance” (USA Today), “simply breathtaking” (IGN.com), “Thrilling!” (The London Times) and “…a feast for the eyes and ears” (Seattle Times).

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tickets for Video Games can be purchased via the EPSO website, Ticketmaster online, or call the Symphony office at (915) 532-3776, and at the Plaza Theatre Box Office. Tickets prices are $30, $45, $60 to $75 (plus applicable service charges) and are subject to change.