Audience favorite Leonardo Colafelice will present his interpretation of Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor at the next Symphony of the Hills concert on Feb 23.
Feb 20, 2023–For pianist Leonardo Colafelice, who will perform Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor at the Symphony of the Hills concert this Thursday, connecting to the audience should be the goal of every musician.
“Music unites and creates strong bonds between performer and listener,” said Colafelice in an interview from Italy. “In my opinion, the pursuit of this is the first goal that every musician should seek, whether he is performing in concert or participating in a competition.”
The native Italian, who trained at the renowned N. Piccinni Conservatory of Music in Bari, was a medalist at the Gurwitz International Piano Competition in San Antonio, and winner of the Audience Prize. He has performed to acclaim around the world, and this Thursday will join the 75-piece Symphony of the Hills onstage at the Cailloux Theater in Kerrville.
“Grieg’s Concerto is undoubtedly one of the most popular concerts, and also among the most beautiful,” he said. “I believe that musicians must always look for what the composer asks us to do. It seems a simple thing, but it is very difficult to do, as you are trying to interpret the original idea of the piece. Especially when dealing with real masterpieces, I believe that the best result lies in the simplicity and sobriety of the execution.”
The music program opens with excerpts from the blockbuster soundtrack Jesus Christ Superstar, followed by a piece by Mexican composer Carlos Chavez, Sinfonia India, and ending with the Grieg concerto.
Colafelice is “extremely happy” to be returning to the United States for this concert, and looks forward to connecting with a new audience.
“A concert can lead to so many different emotions and it can be a really different experience from person to person,” he said. “I will try to do my best on stage so that the audience can appreciate the great beauty of this composer.”
The concert Edvard Grieg: Keyboard Brilliance begins at 7:30 pm, with a wine reception at 6:30 pm in the lobby of the Cailloux Theater, 910 Main, Kerrville. Seats can be reserved online at caillouxperformingarts.com or by calling or visiting the Cailloux Theater Box Office, (830) 896-9393. Box Office window hours are 10am to 1pm Monday through Friday, 10am to 3pm Saturday. Tickets start at $25. Guests can enjoy a reception in the lobby from 6:30-7:30pm.
Full descriptions of each concert along with ticket links are available at www.symphonyofthehills.org.
Concert Sponsors are Kerr County Abstract & Title and RE/MAX Kerrville
This season’s final concert– Orchestral Fire: Tchaikovsky–and new season announcement will be held on April 27, 2023.
