Opening Night

October 15 @ 8pm

Daniel Meyer conductor

Ken Johnston violin

Stravinsky Petrushka

Glazunov Violin Concerto

Tchaikovsky Suite from Swan Lake

Opening night with the Erie Philharmonic features some of the most dramatic works written for orchestra by Russian composers.  We start with Igor Stravinsky’s Petrushka, originally a ballet commissioned by Diaghilev and danced by the Ballet Russes in Paris, 1911.  The music brings a puppet to life during a raucous Shrovetide Fair.  He of course falls for the beautiful Ballerina, but brutal circumstances keep Petrushka from realizing his romantic fantasies.  The music throughout is poignant, tender, violent, and tragic.  We then feature our own Concertmaster, Ken Johnston, as violin soloist.  The glowing Glazunov Violin Concerto will be a perfect vehicle for Ken’s innate musicality and mastery of the instrument.  We bring the evening to a close with favorite selections from Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet Swan Lake.   With music so vivid in its ability to paint a scene, the music from Swan Lake is just as stirring and colorful in a concert presentation as it can be in the ballet pit. 

JOIN US IN THE FIRST NIAGARA COMMUNITY ROOM FOR CLASSICS IN THE EVENING, A PRE-CONCERT TALK HOSTED BY BRIAN HANNAH BEFORE EVERY SYMPHONIC CONCERT STARTING AT 7:15PM.