Colorado’s classical music festivals traditionally have focused their attention on the summer, but a growing number also are mounting modest winter series.
Such offerings allow the organizations to reach out to those seeking something to do when they’re not on the slopes and to gain some always-welcome revenues during their offseason.
Perhaps more important, winter concerts help keep the music festivals in the public eye, and prime ticket sales are already under way or soon will be for summer’s considerably more concentrated lineups.
Here is a look at some of the upcoming presentations:
Aspen Music Festival
The Aspen Music Festival is the state’s largest and best known summer classical-music happening. It presents probably the oldest and most ambitious set of offseason offerings: the organization’s 12-year-old Winter Music Artist Recital Series.
The five presentations kick off Tuesday with internationally recognized pianist Andreas Haefliger, who made his London recital debut at the Wigmore Hall in 1993, and continue with a star-studded group of soloists.
The remaining schedule: Violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Jeremy Denk, Feb. 16; pianist Yefim Bronfman, Feb. 22; pianist Peter Serkin, March 6; and the American Brass Quintet, March 17.
All concerts will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Harris Concert Hall on the Aspen Music Festival grounds. Individual tickets are $52, with subscription packages available. Call 970-925-9042 or visit aspenmusicfestival.com.
Strings in the Mountains
A trio of winter offerings sponsored by the Strings in the Mountains Music Festival in Steamboat Springs continues at 7 p.m. Tuesday with Antonio Pompa-Baldi, silver medalist at the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.
They conclude at 5 p.m. March 5 with a house concert by Alpin Hong, a much-touted pianist who won first prize in the 2001 Concert Artists Guild International Competition.
Tickets are $25 and $35 for Tuesday’s concert, $125 for the March 5 event. Call 970-879-5056 or visit stringsinthemountains.com.
Breckenridge Music Festival
The Breckenridge Music Festival’s winter series reprises at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Strings. They will perform quintets by such composers as Johannes Brahms and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Tickets are $12 in advance.
Rounding out the lineup: Pianist Michael Linville and violist Gregory Falkenstein, 7 p.m. Feb. 19; Colorado Children’s Chorale, 7:30 p.m. March 3; and bass-baritone Keith Miller, 7 p.m. March 15. Prices vary.
Call 970-453-9142 or visit breckenridgemusicfestival.com.
Vilar Center for the Arts
Beaver Creek’s Vilar Center for the Arts presents performances year-round. The Teatro Lirico D’Europa heads its next group of classical offerings in March, presenting “La Boheme” at 7:30 p.m. March 2 and 6:30 p.m. March 3.
Later in the month: Hungarian Symphony Orchestra, Pécs, 6:30 p.m. March 16; and flutist James Galway, Polish Chamber Orchestra, 6:30 p.m. March 20. Ticket prices vary. Call 888-920-2787 or visit vilar center.org.
