Opus Colorado

I received a very exciting press release that announces a new ensemble in the state of Colorado which will concentrate on the music of Johan Sebastian Bach. I would remind those who read this article, and it is probably unnecessary for me to do so, that Bach wrote so much music that another Bach ensemble can always be appreciated and well attended. The name of this new ensemble is the Colorado Bach Ensemble, and it is the result of efforts put forth by Dr. James Kim who is Director of Choral Studies at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

The inaugural concert of the Colorado Bach Ensemble will be J.S. Bach’s Mass in B minor. Before I quote from the press release that I received, here is some information concerning Dr. James Kim.

“Dr. James Kim is currently the Director of Choral Studies at Colorado State University where he teaches choral conducting, choral literature, and choral techniques at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He also directs the CSU Chamber Singers and University Singers, and oversees University Men’s and Women’s Choirs. Dr. Kim received his degrees from the University of Southern California (B.M., M.M.) and University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (D.M.A).

“After earning two degrees from the University of Southern California, Dr. Kim was invited by the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart in Germany to study with Helmuth Rilling. While studying in Europe, he participated in numerous workshops and festivals as an active conductor–most notably, Europaisches Musikfest‘97, Bachwochenende, and Sommerakademie. In 1998, he was selected and invited as one of five conductors from around the world to participate in Frieder Bernius Masterclass in Namur, Belgium, sponsored by the International Federation of Choral Music (IFCM).

“During the 2001-2002 season, he served as the Interim Artistic Director for the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, a 120-voice auditioned choir which frequently performs with the Indianapolis Orchestra and Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra.

“Prior to his appointment at CSU, Dr. Kim taught conducting at Simpson College in Iowa and at the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. He served as a National Board Member and was the Colorado state representative for the National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO).”

I will now include the press release which I received:

“Colorado musicians continue to extend their influence and vision across the region – and the world.  Dr. James Kim, Director of Choral Studies for Colorado State University, has launched the Colorado Bach Ensemble, and a group featuring professional singers and instrumentalists from across North America.  The Colorado Bach Ensemble will perform their inaugural concerts with performances of J.S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor

“What’s the big deal with a new ensemble, particularly in a region that already has a symphony, an opera, and other assorted classical groups?  Plenty. ‘Kim and…this organization being formed have the potential to put us on the map in the eyes of another audience,’ wrote Jim Clark, President of the Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau in a recent column in the Fort Collins Coloradoan.  ‘Kim intends this program to be recognized not nationally, but internationally.  And I believe it will.’

“In fact, Kim is launching the ensemble from an international footing.  James Kim was invited by Maestro Helmuth Rilling, one of the world’s leading Bach authorities and the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart to spend two and a half years studying with Rilling, from 1997-1999.   In November 2011, James Kim and the CSU choral department hosted the National Collegiate Choral Organization’s biennial national conference in Fort Collins.   Kim invited Helmuth Rilling as one of the headliners for the entire conference.  He worked with the CSU Chamber Choir which was showcased throughout the conference rehearsing/performing the two motets, Jesu, meine Freude, Singet dem Herr nein neues Lied, and the Magnificat in front of 300+ choral conductors gathered from around the country.  As a result, Rilling and Kim started discussing the possibility of establishing an organization based in Colorado to promote the music of J.S. Bach.

“Kim has just returned after spending two weeks within Stuttgart, Germany, working with him, in preparing a performance of the same work, the Mass in B Minor, for audiences in Germany and Italy.   That experience and influence will, of course, color the preparation of the Colorado ensemble.

“By any measure, this is a top-flight ensemble.  Singers and musicians have been invited based on their proven ability to express the line, phrasing, and color that brings the music of Bach vividly to life. Soloists come from the international concert stage, including: Anne-Kathryn Olsen, soprano; Eric Jurenas, counter-tenor; Joe Mikolaj, tenor; Paul Max Tipton, bass-baritone.

“‘It’s our hope to create an experience for young and old that mirrors what I and so many of my colleagues experience through the music of J.S. Bach,’ says Dr. Kim.  ‘It empowers us, sustains us, and does nothing less than help us to be better people.  It is a necessity, not a luxury.’

“Now, that’s world-class vision.

“The inaugural performances will be on June 28, in Fort Collins at Edna Rizley Griffin Concert Hall on the Colorado State University Campus and on June 29, in Denver, at the June Swaner Gates Concert Hall at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver.  Both performances will be at 7:30. A pre-concert talk by another world-class Bach expert, Dr. Earl Rivers from the College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, will precede the concerts at 6:30.

“Sign up for the Colorado Bach Ensemble eNewsletter at www.ColoradoBachEnsemble.org, offering updates from James Kim and many of the performers as the group rehearses, researches the music, and prepares for performance.

“Visit www.coloradobachensemble.org to support the ensemble and to order tickets.”

I just received a very exciting press release concerning the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra’s conductor, Maestro Michael Butterman. After conducting many orchestras throughout the United States – and, I might add, getting outstanding reviews – he is going to conduct the Cleveland Orchestra. I have absolutely no doubt that the musicians in that orchestra will admire his conducting style a great deal, but from a purely selfish point of view, I am pleased that he is not moving permanently to Cleveland, because it is my supreme wish that he stay in Boulder. As I have stated before in articles, the Boulder Philharmonic musicians really seem to respond to his leadership and have a high regard for the way he conducts. He is an outstanding musician, and every once in a while the state of Colorado loses one who is as gifted as Michael Butterman. But I can guarantee you that he will have a very enjoyable experience with the Cleveland Orchestra, and I do think that everyone in Boulder should give him a hearty round of applause.

I will quote directly from the press release:

“Michael Butterman, known for his leadership in shaping a new model for today’s conductors, makes his debut appearance leading the famed Cleveland Orchestra on Sunday, May 6, at 2 p.m., in Severance Hall. He will lead the orchestra in a performance of Beethoven Lives Upstairs, part of the orchestra’s family concert series.

“It is a distinct privilege to have the opportunity to work with one of the greatest orchestras in the world,” said Butterman. “In addition to its long history of outstanding concerts and recordings, the Cleveland Orchestra has sustained a commitment to performances that reach out to families and young people.”

Butterman, who is the Music Director of the Boulder Philharmonic and the Shreveport Symphony Orchestras, and the Resident Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony, is also the Principal Conductor for Education and Outreach with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra—the first position of its kind in the United States, and a position he has held for 12 years.

“In demand as a guest conductor, Mr. Butterman’s recent engagements include appearances with the Detroit Symphony, Houston Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, Hartford Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, Syracuse Symphony, New Mexico Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, Spokane Symphony, El Paso Symphony, Santa Fe Symphony, Mobile Symphony, Peoria Symphony, Pensacola Opera, and Asheville Lyric Opera. Summer appearances include Tanglewood, the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival in Colorado and the Wintergreen Music Festival in Virginia.

“It is so important that our finest orchestras continue to program concerts specifically for young people,” said Butterman. “There is no replacement for the experience of hearing live orchestral music and engaging the creative senses of our future musicians and audiences.”

“Beethoven Lives Upstairs, written by Barbara Nichol, tells the story of young Christoph’s experience as he develops a friendship with Ludwig van Beethoven, the new tenant who has moved in upstairs. The performance includes excerpts from more than 20 of the Beethoven’s most popular works and serves as a vehicle for understanding the magic and the madness of this legendary genius.

“Founded in 1918, the Cleveland Orchestra enjoys a reputation as one of the world’s best orchestras. With an extensive discography, and frequent national and international tours, it regularly collaborates with the leading soloists and conductors in the classical music world.”

For ticket information for the Cleveland Orchestra’s performance, May 6, 2012, visit www.clevelandorchestra.com. For additional information about Michael Butterman, visit www.michaelbutterman.com.

After an absolutely stellar season, the Colorado Ballet has announced the performances that will make up their season of 2012-2013. It is going to be a very exciting one, and I am absolutely thrilled with the fact that they are going to do Igor Stravinsky’s great ballet, The Rite of Spring. If any of you readers have ever considered attending the ballet, but have not, this is one performance that simply cannot be missed. I am quite sure that many of you know the music to this wonderful ballet, but how many of you have ever seen it danced? The season that has just ended, is one of the best that the Colorado Ballet has ever performed, and now it truly is time for them to do some Stravinsky.

Below, I have quoted directly from the press release that I received from the Colorado Ballet. It is an ambitious season, and I urge you to get your tickets early. It will be another outstanding year, and I guarantee you that is not an empty promise.

Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs announced the 2012-2013 season, which will feature technically-challenging classical ballet with innovative contemporary premieres.  Marking the Company’s 52nd season, the four-production lineup will stay true to Boggs’ artistic vision of presenting superior quality classical ballet and innovative dance.

“This is a season for our dancers, which will showcase their talent and abilities and is sure to give audiences an inspiring experience,” said Boggs.  “It speaks well of a company that it can perform one of the greatest full-length classical works ever, The Sleeping Beauty, and transform to the raw power of dance to Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring.  I’m also very excited that our Repertory Production will be performed for the first time in my tenure with the accompaniment of the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.”

Colorado Ballet opens its season with the classical storybook ballet The Sleeping Beauty October 5-21, 2012 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. This beloved fairy tale features choreography by Marius Petipa and music by Tchaikovsky, performed by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.  Colorado Ballet will demonstrate that love conquers all in this classic story.

Colorado Ballet’s season continues in November with Denver’s favorite holiday tradition, The Nutcracker, November 24 through December 24, 2012 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The Nutcracker features unforgettable characters and dazzling costumes and scenery by José Varona. This seasonal tradition will feature classic choreography paired with Tchaikovsky’s extraordinary arrangement performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.

In February 2013, Colorado Ballet transitions from storybook ballets to an innovative collection of three different works.  Colorado Ballet will present the Repertory Production February 22 through March 3, 2013 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.  Highlighting this program will be a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Igor Stravinsky’s composition of The Rite of Spring.  Colorado Ballet is honored to be dancing the ballet The Rite of Spring, with choreography by Glen Tetley.  Also in this program will be George Balanchine’s ballet Theme and Variations, performed to the final movement of Tchaikovsky’s Suite No. 3 for Orchestra in G major, Op. 55.  To round out the program, Colorado Ballet is proud to bring in Val Caniparoli, choreographer for San Francisco Ballet to create a new work on the company.  Caniparoli’s versatility has made him one of the most sought after American choreographers in the United States and abroad, contributing to the repertories of more than 35 dance companies.  He has created a body of work that is rooted in classicism but influenced by all forms of movement: modern dance, ethnic dance, social dancing, and even ice-skating.

“Along with Stravinsky’s incredible music and the choreography of Glen Tetley’s The Rite of Spring, we will perform a ballet by one of the greatest choreographers who ever lived, George Balanchine’s Theme & Variations,” said Boggs.  “I’m also very excited to have choreographer Val Caniparoli create a new work with Colorado Ballet for the first time.  These three works in one evening with a live orchestra performance will make for a very powerful night of dance.”

Colorado Ballet will close out the season with Light /The Holocaust & Humanity Project March 29-31, 2013 at the Newman Center at the University of Denver.  Making its Denver debut, this ballet explores the issues surrounding the Holocaust.  The work explores human suffering in the face of genocide, as well as people’s capacity to survive and flourish as individuals and as a community.  When it premiered in 2005, Light /The Holocaust & Humanity Project brought national attention to Ballet Austin and choreographer Stephen Mills. Set to the music of five of the most important living composers, Mills’ original choreography turns the spotlight on discrimination and triumph of the human spirit.

“Stephen Mills has not only given the dance world a creation of refection and hope but also a work that transcends to everyday life as we know it. There is a very powerful feeling in the theater during the performance of Light /The Holocaust & Humanity Project, an emotion far different than experienced with other ballets and you walk away with a true sense that there is kindness in mankind.”

Colorado Ballet will present various classical excerpts in An Evening Under the Stars on August 30, 2012 at the Arvada Center. This marks Colorado Ballet’s fifth year at the Arvada Center.

Season subscriptions and tickets will be on sale soon.  Visit www.ColoradoBallet.org for details.

About Colorado Ballet Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 51 years of presenting world-class classical ballet and superior dance in Denver.  Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet presents more than 50 performances annually. Colorado Ballet enhances the cultural life of Colorado through performances of the professional company, training at the Academy, and Education & Outreach programs.

The Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado presents its annual spring house concert on Sunday, April 15 at 5:00 pm at The Ice House in Lower Downtown Denver. This year’s offering features an unusual combination of instruments, as acclaimed classical guitarist Jonathan Leathwood joins BCOC violist Matthew Dane in a program of music by J.S. Bach and one of his musical sons, Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach.

Matthew Dane is a member of the Boulder Piano Quartet, serves as Principal Violist of the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra in Houston, and is on the faculty at both the Metropolitan State College in Denver and the University of Colorado. His chamber music festival appearances include OK Mozart, Portland (Maine), Chamber Music Quad Cities (Iowa), and Tanglewood. In summers Dane performs in the Colorado Music Festival. Dane is editor of the Journal of the American Viola Society.

Jonathan Leathwood was born in 1970 and has come to Denver from his native England. His first visit to the Lamont School of Music (at DU) was in 1996, when he spent the Spring Quarter as visiting guitar instructor at the invitation of Ricardo Iznaola, then on sabbatical. Recently Denver University awarded him its Artist’s Diploma, the first time they have made this award in individual performance, and made him the first recipient of the Ricardo Iznaola Guitar Scholarship. Jonathan is also a guitar instructor at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

A professional period-instrument ensemble with core musicians primarily based in Colorado, the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado brings to audiences the musical riches and spirit of improvisation of the 17th and 18th centuries.

The ensemble’s imaginative programming strikes a balance between familiar masterworks and hidden treasures of the Baroque Period. In addition to a subscription concert series, the orchestra provides an innovative educational program focusing on musician development, youth outreach, and building the audience of the future.

The program will feature:

Johann Sebastian Bach, Selections from Cello Suite No. 6 in D major (performed on guitar) Johann Sebastian Bach, Selections from Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor (performed on viola) Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach, Sonata in A major (performed on viola and guitar)

Tickets Are priced at $50 per person with the proceeds to benefit BCOC’s seventh season. To make reservations, call 303-889-1012 or click here: https://www.ticketturtle.com/index.php?ticketing=bcoc.