ESYO Symphony Orchestra Concert

The Empire State Youth Orchestra is celebrating 40 years of musical excellence! Led by Music Director Carlos Ágreda, ESYO Symphony Orchestra kicks off our birthday bash with Dmitri Shostakovich’s ceremonial fanfare, “Festive Overture." ESYO alumnus and assistant principal cellist for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Kenneth Olsen ‘98, returns to the Capital Region as the guest soloist in Edward Elgar’s emotionally charged “Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op.85.” Led by new Music Director Carlos Ágreda, Empire State Youth Orchestra's Symphony Orchestra spring concert is a celebration of community spirit. Our journey begins with Brazilian composer M. Camargo Guarnieri's vibrant "Three Dances for Orchestra," inspired by the carnival celebrations and parades that fill the streets of Brazilian cities. Anchored by Tchaikovsky's powerful Fourth Symphony, we explore the power of fate, destiny, and hope shaped by a sense of community. The concert also features the winner of ESYO’s Annual Lois Lyman Concerto Competition, cellist William Han. At 16 years old, the young virtuoso will lead the orchestra in a passionate performance of Shostakovich's "Cello Concerto No. 1." Named after a music teacher and one of ESYO’s founding members, the Lois Lyman Concerto Competition has showcased some of the area’s finest musicians since 1985. Music Director Ágreda will lead a pre-concert presentation and discussion in the concert hall from 2:00pm-2:30pm, with the concert starting at 3 pm. This performance is made possible in part by the generosity of Albany Med Also featured in this program are J. Strauss II’s lively operetta “Die Fledermaus Overture” and Ottorino Respighi’s rousing “Pines of Rome.”