Pianist Catherine Lan will perform “Piano Concerto No. 3” by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev to highlight the final concert of the 27th season of the South Florida Symphony Orchestra season taking place on Wednesday, April 9 at The Parker in Ft. Lauderdale and Thursday, April 10 at New World Center in Miami Beach. The SFSO will also perform 19th century Austrian composer Anton Bruckner’s “Symphony No. 4” in the April concerts that begin at 7:30 p.m. at both venues.
“Prokofiev’s ‘Piano Concerto No. 3” is a remarkable blend of virtuosity, energy and lyricism. Prokofiev’s concerto is a fearless high wire act that pushes the pianist with its relentless momentum and technical demands,” said SFSO Music Director and Conductor Sebrina Maria Alfonso.
“Piano Concerto No. 3” was completed by Prokofiev in 1921 and, along with pianist Lan, the other featured instruments in the three movement, 30 minute composition will include four horns, two trombones, two trumpets (from the brass section), bass drum, castanets, cymbals,tambourine and timpani (from the percussion section), cellos, double basses, violas and violins (from the string section) and two bassoons, two clarinets, two flutes and two oboes (from the woodwinds section).
South Florida Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor Sebrina Maria Alfonso (in photo) will lead the orchestra in Prokofiev’s “Piano Concerto No. 3” with guest classical music pianist Catherine Lan and Bruckner’s “Symphony No. 4” on Wednesday, April 9 at The Parker in Ft. Lauderdale and on Thursday, April 10 at New World Center in Miami Beach. Photo by Steven Shires Photography.
Born in Taiwan and raised in Canada, classical pianist Lan has performed at venues around the world and has been praised by music critics for her poise and artistry. She started her musical studies at age eight by playing the oboe and excels in three instruments, harpsichord, oboe and piano.
Lan has deep South Florida roots, receiving her Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Miami and currently serving on the faculty of Broward College in Ft. Lauderdale as well as being Director of Chamber Music at the South Florida Symphony Orchestra.
Regarded by classical music critics as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century, Prokofiev (1891-1953) wrote eight ballets, seven operas, five piano concertos and seven symphonies. Along with “Piano Concerto No. 3”, Prokofiev is famous for having composed “Peter and the Wolf”, “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Love for Three Oranges.”
Bruckner’s “Symphony No. 4” in E flat major is considered one of the composer’s most popular compositions. Bruckner first wrote the symphony in 1874 and revised it several times through 1888. Classical music critics termed the composition as “romantic” because the latter part of the 19th century was considered the Romantic period of the cultural arts.
“Symphony No. 4” is composed of four movements that will feature a bass tuba, two bassoons, cymbals, two clarinets, four horns, strings, timpani, three trombones and three trumpets.
“Bruckner’s ‘Romantic Symphony’ offers rich orchestral colors and expansive melodies. We’re excited to bring our audience a provocative, invigorating concert that hopefully will leave us all uplifted as we conclude our 27th season,” said Alfonso.
Bruckner (1824-96), who was also an organist, was known for his symphonies and sacred music, including Masses.
South Florida Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director/Conductor Sebrina Maria Alfonso will lead the orchestra in Prokofiev’s “Piano Concerto No. 3” with guest classical music pianist Catherine Lan and Bruckner’s “Symphony No. 4” on Wednesday, April 9 at The Parker in Ft. Lauderdale and on April 10 at New World Center in Miami Beach. Photo by Steven Shires Photography.
South Florida Symphony Orchestra will feature classical music pianist Catherine Lan in Sergei Prokofiev’s “Piano Concerto No. 3” and Anton Bruckner’s “Symphony No. 4”, conducted by SFSO music Director Sebrina Maria Alfonso in concert at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 at The Parker, 707 NE 8th Street in Ft. Lauderdale and on Thursday, April 10 at New World Center, 500 17th Street in Miami Beach. Music professor Alan Mason will have a pre-performance talk about the composers prior to the concert only at The Parker at 7 p.m.
Tickets for both venues range from $25-115 and can be purchased online at southfloridasymphony.org or at each venue’s box office in person or by phone at 954-462-0222 (The Parker) or 305-673-3331.
To learn more about pianist Catherine Lan, go to catherinelan.com
