The Bozeman Symphony kicks off its 2024-25 concert season, a celebration of Music that Moves Us, with one of the biggest works in classical music, Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto featuring rising star Vijay Venkatesh on piano in late September. “Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto is a staple in the repertoire for the orchestra and especially the pianist. Seeing this concerto performed live is special because of the athleticism it takes for our soloist to play this concerto,” said Bozeman Symphony Music Director Norman Huynh. My favorite quality about Rachmaninoff’s music is his ability to write lush melodies that elicit strong emotional reactions from the listener – a Russian tradition solidified by Pyotr Tchaikovsky.” Venkatesh has performed extensively in North America and Europe as a soloist with numerous symphony orchestras. Hailed by reviewers for his “dazzling pianism verging on the impossible, effortless technical command and authority with a sense of poetry and refinement that belies his years,” Indian-American pianist Venkatesh has been recognized on three continents as a pianist with profound, sparkling musicianship and an innate sense of partnership. The opening concert also includes the performance of John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine which will showcase the orchestra running the gantlet through a rhythmic tunnel. The concert will conclude with the orchestra performing Richard Strauss’ most popular tone poem, Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks, a musical depiction that chronicles the misadventures and pranks of a German peasant folk hero as the music follows his hijinks throughout the countryside. “After the intermission, it’s the orchestra’s turn to showcase our technical prowess,” Huynh said. “John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine uses driving rhythms and a pulse that will give you the feeling of riding in a fast vehicle.” “One of the first pieces I learned in conducting school was Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks,” stated Huynh. “This piece is full of twists and turns for the conductor and orchestra. Richard Strauss, the master of Tone Poems, gives us a masterpiece in orchestration and storytelling through music. He writes perfectly for the orchestra, and I cannot wait to share this piece with the Bozeman Community!” Performances are Saturday, Sept. 21, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 22, at 2:30 p.m. at the Willson Auditorium, 404 West Main Street in downtown Bozeman. These performances would not be possible without the support of sponsors Cal & Tricia DeSouza, Donald B. Gimbel, Gary Kunis & Connie Wong, and David & Kippy Sands. Individual tickets are available at https://www.bozemansymphony.org/classical-series or by calling 406-585-9774. Tickets at the door are based on availability. Adult tickets start as low as $29 and student-discounted tickets are available.