In 2008, the Colorado Music Festival launched its annual mini-festivals devoted to either a composer or solo instrument, beginning with a hugely popular if daunting set of five concerts showcasing all nine of Beethoven’s symphonies.
After focusing on five of the great piano concertos last summer, it was time to highlight another composer, and Johannes Brahms emerged as the obvious choice.
“As soon as we realized we would actually survive one of these things in such a short period of time, the first thing members of the orchestra asked was: When would Brahms happen?” said music director Michael Christie.
The festival has already sold nearly 300 passes to the Brahms mini-festival, which begins Sunday and runs through July 18 in Boulder’s Chautauqua Auditorium — five concerts in eight days.
The lineup — a big challenge for the orchestra in such a short time — will comprise all four of Brahms’ symphonies, his four concertos and two serenades.
The soloists will be: Sunday, pianist Peter Serkin; Tuesday, violinist Kyoko Takezawa; Thursday, pianist Valentina Lisitsa; and July 16, violinist Calin Lupanu and cellist Bjorn Ranheim.
A pass to all five concerts is $100. Single tickets are $12-$49. 303-440-7666 or colorado . Kyle MacMillan
