Boulder Philharmonic 2015-16 season unveiled: Anne Akiko Meyers, Gabriela Montero and more

Photo: Michael Butterman of Boulder Philharmonic
Michael Butterman, music director of the Boulder Philharmonic

The Boulder Philharmonic rolls out its 2015-16 season schedule today.

Under the baton of Music Director Michael Butterman, the orchestra will present concerts at Macky Auditorium focusing on “a variety of life’s inspirations expressed through music,” according to a press release.

Here’s a sampling of the programs and guest artists that highlight the season:

  • Opening night on Sept. 13 features concertmaster Charles Wetherbee playing “The Storyteller,” a new piece by composer Korine Fujiwara, who performs with Wetherbee in the Carpe Diem String Quartet. The program also includes Ravel’s “Mother Goose” Suite and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with soloist Gabriela Montero.
  • On Nov. 14, the orchestra plays Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 and “Songs of Destiny.” Colorado composer Charles Denler will perform as the piano soloist on his “Portraits in Season,” with visuals by photographer John Fielder.
  • On Feb. 12, violinist Anne Akiko-Meyers -- who recently spoke with CPR Classical about her love for Barber’s Violin Concerto -- performs another masterpiece for her instrument: Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. The concert includes Tchaikovsky’s “Mozartiana,” Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9 and Missy Mazzoli’s new piece “Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres).”
  • J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion on April 23-24. The semi-staged performance is a collaboration with the Boulder Bach Festival, Central City Opera and CU Choruses.

See the full schedule, and check out Wetherbee playing in the CPR Performance Studio: