Erie Philharmonic Presents Three Concerts Through December

master1305, Wikimedia Commons, Erie Philharmonic

During the weeks between the Reader's November and December issue there will be three separate performances of the Erie Philharmonic at the Warner Theatre including Bolero, Disney's Frozen, and the ever-popular Home for the Holidays concert.

In November and December, the Erie Philharmonic will present a trio of concerts in their Symphonic and Pops Series. From Maurice Ravel's steady rhythms of Bolero and Duke Ellington's jazz-inspired symphonic triptych The Three Black Kings to the music of Disney and the holiday season, the Erie Philharmonic's musical selections will bring variety and excitement into the final months of 2024.

Bolero

SATURDAY, NOV. 9

The Symphonic Series continues with a repertoire that spans genres, starting with Maurice Ravel's Bolero. One of Ravel's final compositions before his death, the dance was commissioned by Russian dancer Ida Rubinstein and premiered on Nov. 22, 1928 at the Palais Garnier in Paris. Accompanying the feature work is Franz Liszt's third symphonic poem, Les préludes, Duke Ellington's final composition The Three Black Kings, and Christopher Theofanidis's The Universe in Ecstatic Motion, featuring flutist Marina Piccinini as the featured soloist.

Frozen in Concert

BEGINNING SATURDAY, NOV. 16

Inspired by the classical fairytale The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson, Disney's Frozen took audiences by storm, grossing over $1.28 billion at the box office and winning Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song at the 2014 Oscars. The movie will be projected on-screen in the Warner Theatre as the orchestra performs the music. Robert and Kristian-Anderson Lopez, who had previously written the music and lyrics for The Book of Mormon, wrote 25 songs for the film, with eight appearing in the final cut. Composer Christopher Becke incorporated musical influences from the Sámi culture of Norway for his score, including traditional instruments and singing styles.

Come Home for the Holidays

SATURDAY, DEC. 7

Come Home for the Holidays features the Erie Philharmonic Chorus and youth choirs performing alongside the orchestra. Featured ballet dancers will accompany the music, taking audiences on a journey with the sounds of the holidays and a joyful celebration of music. Past performances have featured Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" and "A Christmas Festival," popular holiday classics including "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and "The Christmas Song," and traditional choral music such as "Angels' Carol" by English composer John Rutter. — Thomas Taylor

Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees begin at 3 p.m. // Warner Theatre, 811 State St. // $17-$66 // For tickets: eriephil.org