“Great new art responds to the human condition.” ~Cynthia Katsarelis, Music Director and Conductor of the Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra
Bach, Haydn, and Mozart. Ravel, Shostakovich, and Stravinsky.
“We present high-quality performances of music from the classics to the cutting edge,” says Cynthia Katsarelis, Music Director and Conductor of Pro Musica Colorado Chamber Orchestra (PMC), a grantee of your Community Foundation.
Indeed, one of PMC’s cutting-edge projects involves commissioning brand new works from CU Boulder graduate student winners of the composition competition founded by the late Thurston Manning.
“So far, we’ve done the world premieres of five of these works,” Cynthia says. “Each one was a hit with our audiences, and three of the works spoke directly to our time.
“One was written the summer of the Ferguson unrest, and the composer’s piece was a sober and beautiful response. Another composer was in Turkey during the coup attempt and crackdown on LGBTQ people. His work, ‘Weltschmerz,’ reflects that situation.”
Most recently, PMC performed the world premiere of fiddler-storyteller-composer Max Wolpert’s work – “Baroque in Mirror” – written in memory and mourning for the victims of the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. “These works deeply move our audiences and show the vital importance of new music that reflects and responds to our human condition, our current Zeitgeist,” adds Cynthia.
After a brief introduction from Cynthia, enjoy musical excerpts from Max’s heartwarming work in this video.
PMC also emphasizes music by women, LGBTQ+, and Latino composers, and composers who perished in the Holocaust. Additionally, last season, a PMC quartet worked with children in the Boulder MUSE program – also a foundation grantee – at Columbine Elementary School.
“Although we’re small, our board and musicians reflect diversity in ethnicity, race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation,” concludes Cynthia, who – an out lesbian – is the only female music director of a professional orchestra in Colorado. “PMC comprises some of Colorado’s finest and most delightful chamber and orchestral musicians. Community Foundation Boulder County is helping a diverse classical music ensemble bring diverse music to our community.”
