The Albany Symphony will open their 2026-2027 season with an Oct. 3 concert at Albany’s Palace Theatre. Music Director David Alan Miller will lead the orchestra in an expansive program of music encompassing wide range of musical eras, including a brand-new composition by Celka Ojakangas. In addition to the musical journey of Opening Night, audiences may attend a pre-concert talk with Music Director David Alan Miller before the 7:30 p.m. show.
A highlight of the program is 19-year-old violinist Amaryn Olmeda, who is the featured soloist in Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Violin Concerto. Celebrated for her technical mastery and emotional expressiveness, Olmeda won First Prize and the Audience Choice Award during the 24th Annual Sphinx Competition. She made her Carnegie Hall solo debut at age 14, and since then has performed in a wide variety of settings, including appearances with numerous renowned orchestras. She currently studies at the New England Conservatory of Music.
The iconic William Tell Overture by Gioacchino Rossini will open the concert. This piece, one of the most famous and recognizable classical music arrangements, will bring listeners on a journey from its peaceful beginning to its thrilling finale.
After these two classic compositions, a modern piece will enter the program. The Albany Symphony will perform Shuffle by award-winning contemporary composer Celka Ojakangas. Influenced by Benny Goodman’s Sing, Sing, Sing and Gene Krupa’s drums, Shuffle puts an orchestral spin on the swing era’s energetic feel.
The concert will close with Ottorino Respighi’s Pines of Rome, a1924 composition that vividly depicts scenes from Roman life in its four movements. However, even once the Opening Night concert ends, there is much more music to come. The Albany Symphony’s 2026-2027 season will run through the American Music Festival in June.
Tickets for Opening Night are available on the Albany Symphony’s website. Furthermore, board member Lou Solano will match any donations made in honor of Opening Night, up to $5,000. More information is available here.
Bluesky Discussion
View on BlueskyNo replies yet. Be the first to comment on Bluesky!
Comments are closed.