Coeur d’Alene Symphony season finale to pay tribute to Ukraine
The Coeur d’Alene Symphony Orchestra is setting the stage for the season finale.
The symphony will perform its season finale under the direction of its new musical director, Dr. Danh Pham, at a 3 p.m. matinee on May 15 at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.
The theme of the concert is “The World to Ukraine” to express the symphony’s solidarity with the rest of the free world and its support of the Ukrainian people.
Dr. Pham will lead the symphony in the Ukrainian national anthem and "the Star Spangled Banner."
Ukrainian-born cellist Evgeny Grechko, will perform Myroslav Skoryk’s “Melody” with his wife, Nursulu Dyikanbeava, who will accompany him on the piano. The piece is so well known throughout Ukraine that many people think it is an old traditional folk song, not a song by a recent composer.
Guest violinist Giselle Hillyer will perform “Romance for Violin and Chamber Orchestra” by composer Ellen Zwilich, and “Romance in G for Violin and Orchestra” by Samuel Coleridge Taylor.
Coleridge Taylor’s “Danse Negre,” initially the fourth movement of his “African Suite” which was written in 1898, will also be performed by the orchestra. Although Coleridge Taylor passed away at the age of 37, he was a prolific, pioneering composer who left many instrumental and choral works.
The symphony will also perform “Romeo and Juliet, Suite No. 2,” by Ukrainian composer Sergei Prokofiev, considered to be one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. Dr. Mike Bullard, local speaker and author, will narrate.
Dr. Pham will conclude the afternoon concert with Mussorgsky’s majestic “The Great Gate of Kiev” from “Pictures at An Exhibition”. The movement, one of 10, was originally written by Mussorgsky for piano but adapted by Ravel for orchestra. Be prepared to experience the final movement — the picture of “The Great Gate of Kiev” in its grandeur with clanging bells, and the return of the “Promenade” majestically played.
There will be a post-concert reception in the lobby until 6 p.m. Concert attendees can enjoy drinks at The Resort’s cash bars and meet and mingle with Dr. Pham, guest performers and symphony musicians.
The concert is an opportune event for attendees to get information on how they can become or renew their sponsorship, season tickets, as well as donations to support the symphony in the upcoming 2022-23 season.
The symphony will also be collecting donations for relief efforts in Ukraine. For a small donation one can get a commemorative ribbon pin in the color of the Ukrainian flag while supplies last.
One hundred percent of all donations will go to the GlobalGiving Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, which will match all donations to support local Ukrainian organizations involved in the humanitarian efforts in the region.
Tickets are now on sale via cdasymphony.org or by calling their office at 208-765-3833. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students with ID.
Tickets are free to those 12 and younger with purchase of at least one adult/senior and for military/veterans with ID. For more complete information visit www.cdasymphony.org.