The symphony’s 94th season concluded with a vibrant program featuring a guest pianist and lively works by three European masters

Leah Romero

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra concludes its 94th season this weekend with works by European composers Antonín Dvořák, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Igor Stravinsky.

The three pieces on this weekend’s program were written within a 19-year span, but could not be more different from each other. Dvořák’s fun and lighthearted Carnival Overture opened the concert. I was particularly delighted by the English horn – the solos were lovely and a nice little break from the frenzy of the rest of the piece.

Be sure to check out the tambourine player in the back — he definitely gets a workout during this piece!

Guest pianist Kiron Atom Tellian took to the stage next for Rachmaninoff’s Concerto for Piano No. 3. I’m more familiar with Rachmaninoff’s second piano concert, so this was a treat. Tellian is the 2024 winner of the Borderland Chopin International Competition in El Paso. His first place prize included performing with the EPSO.

Tellian’s approach was almost gentle in this piece. At times, it was like he didn’t have fingers, or maybe he had more than 10, the way he flew over the keys. And he was fascinating to watch perform because he seemed to disappear within the music, letting the piano talk back and forth with the symphony. He received a very well-deserved standing ovation Friday night.

The symphony returned after intermission for Stravinsky’s Petrushka, a Russian ballet depicting a love story between three puppets. But you didn’t need dancers on stage to figure out what was happening – the music very clearly told the story for the audience, from sweet love scenes to a dramatic death.

The double reeds had some fun, mysterious sections shortly after the start of the piece and the trumpet solos later on were gorgeous. The audience almost held its collective breath as Petrushka came to an end.

Fabulous Finale was a wonderful concert, if a little bittersweet knowing it’s the last of the season. But I’m already looking forward to seeing what’s in store next season!

Leah Romero is a freelance writer based in southern New Mexico. She can be reached at www.LeahRRomero.com.