Stephen Hough Performs Saint-Saens

The Colorado Symphony welcomes the return of world renowned Canadian violinist and conductor Peter Ounjidian, who leads the ensemble through a rousing program of Tower, Saint-Saens and Tchaikovsky. A piece filled with gentle patriotism and the strains of American folk song "America The Beautiful', Joan Tower's Grammy-winning Made In America kicks things off. It was first performed in 2005 and chronicles the composer's relationship with her homeland, from ominous aural stretches of uncertainty to triumphant, affirming moments.

This is followed by Camille Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto No. 5 AKA 'Egyptian', during which a special guest in the form of British-born Australian pianist Stephen Hough takes to the stage to bring its its exotic, angular melodies to life with his nonchalant yet assured virtuosity and powerful key touch. The evening comes to a close with Tchaikovsky's last ever completed work, Symphony No. 6. One of the definitive works of the romantic periods, its soul-stirring emotion and moving lyrical genius is often overshadowed by the composer's untimely death just nine days after its premiere in 1893.