EPSO Rings in the New Year with
“Fantastic Classics”
featuring Husband-and-Wife Team
Kurt Nikkanen, Violin & Maria Asteriadou, Piano
Artists presented in collaboration with El Paso Pro-Musica
Friday, January 19 & Saturday, January 20, 2024
7:30pm Plaza Theatre
El Paso, TX – Husband-and-wife duo, violinist Kurt Nikkanen and pianist Maria Asteriadou join the El Paso Symphony Orchestra led by Maestro Bohuslav Rattay on January 19 & 20, 2024, 7:30pm Plaza Theatre for the 18th annual collaboration with El Paso Pro-Musica. The duo will perform Mendelssohn’s Concerto for Piano, Violin and Strings. Heralded as “an artist with intense personality, virtuosic flair, unusual poise and intimate contact with style” by The New York Times, Greek pianist Maria Asteriadou is an acclaimed soloist performing with orchestra all over the world, a chamber musician and pedagogue. Together with her husband, violinist Kurt Nikkanen, she appears in recitals worldwide. Nikkanen is an international soloist who performs with leading orchestras in the United States, Europe, Japan and the Far East. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, he began his violin studies at age 3. He made his Carnegie Hall debut at age 12 and two years later he was invited to perform the Paganini Concerto No. 1 with the New York Philharmonic for a Young People’s Concert. “I am eagerly looking forward to Mendelssohn’s rarely performed concerto for piano, violin and string orchestra. He never disappoints with his contrasting composing, moving from virtuosic passages onto beautiful and lyrical melodies.” says EPSO conductor Bohuslav Rattay.
The program opens with Beethoven’s Fidelio Overture and ends with the Debussy’s tone poem La Mer. Debussy had fond childhood memories of the sea, but when composing La Mer, he drew inspiration from art, preferring the seascapes in paintings and literature. Debussy creates a soundscape in three movements depicting the beauties of the sea, wind and waves. “La Mer is a triumphant feat by Debussy and a magnificent piece of music. Just beautiful!” says Rattay.
Tickets at ticketmaster.com, the Plaza Theatre Box Office or by phone (915) 532-3776.
Prices are $49, $44, $37, $23 and $17 plus fees.
Student tickets for $9 and $12 plus fees are available.
The El Paso Symphony Orchestra is presented with the support of the Museums and Cultural Affairs, the Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. This evening’s program is sponsored by PNC Bank.
LEARN MORE: Join us prior to each performance at Opening Notes with Nathan Black, 6:30pm in the Philanthropy Theatre, to get insights on the program, composers and artist.
RECAP:
Opening Notes: Friday, January 19 and Saturday, January 20, 2024, 6:30pm Philanthropy Theatre (Free)
Concerts: Friday, January 19 and Saturday, January 20, 2024, 7:30pm Plaza Theatre
“Fantastic Classics”
El Paso Symphony Orchestra
Bohuslav Rattay, Conductor
Kurt Nikkanen, Violin & Maria Asteriadou, Piano
Beethoven Fidelio Overture, op. 72c
Mendelssohn Concerto for Piano, Violin & Strings
Debussy La Mer
Tickets: $49, $44, $37, $23, $17 and $9 and $12 for students plus applicable fees. Tickets may be purchased at epso.org, ticketmaster.com, Plaza Theatre box office or by calling the EPSO office at (915) 532-3776.
The El Paso Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by the Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
