Summary

This lavish program features some of the world’s most epic and heartfelt music. Igor Stravinsky’s ballet The Firebird takes you on a journey through the Russian folktale of a hero, Ivan Tsarevich, who battles the sorcerer Kashchei with the help of a mythical firebird. Lauded for his “haunting lyrical grace” (Gramophone), violist Jordan Bak joins ASO for Bela Bartok’s Concerto for Viola. ASO is also pleased to present the Washington State premiere of Jennifer Higdon’s Cold Mountain Suite, a co-commissioned project with 37 other orchestras across the country inspired by Charles Frazier’s novel. The concert opens with Richard Strauss’s virtuosic tone poem, Don Juan, where the orchestra is pushed to its limits as it spins adventure and love themes across a wide sonic palate.

Program

Wesley Schulz, conductor

Jordan Bak, viola

RICHARD STRAUSS – Don Juan
BELA BARTOK – Concerto for Viola, op. posth, BB 128
JENNIFER HIGDON – Cold Mountain Suite
IGOR STRAVINSKY – The Firebird: Suite 1919

Concert length: approximately 2 hours including one intermission