Pianist Michelle Cann joins the new music director for Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto, while Respighi’s dramatic Roman-inspired works promise an immersive orchestral experience at The Smith Center.
By Debbie Hall
A new chapter in Las Vegas’ classical music scene takes the stage Oct. 17 when Rei Hotoda leads the Las Vegas Philharmonic in Rei Conducts Beethoven, her inaugural classical performance as the orchestra’s music director.
The concert at Reynolds Hall inside The Smith Center for the Performing Arts brings together the music of Michael Torke, Ludwig van Beethoven and Ottorino Respighi for an evening that moves from contemporary orchestral energy to the grandeur of classical piano and the sweeping soundscapes of Italy.
Hotoda, who began her four-year tenure in July, will lead the Philharmonic through a program featuring Torke’s Bright Blue Music, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, known as the “Emperor” Concerto, and Respighi’s Fountains of Rome and The Pines of Rome.
The performance also features acclaimed pianist Michelle Cann, who will take the spotlight for Beethoven’s celebrated concerto.
A New Era Begins at the Podium
For Hotoda, the concert marks an important milestone in her relationship with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and the community it serves. Her appointment brings a new artistic perspective to Southern Nevada’s only professional orchestra, with a vision that embraces the classical canon, contemporary composers and meaningful connections beyond the concert hall.
The program reflects that range, pairing Beethoven’s enduring masterpiece with Torke’s contemporary composition and Respighi’s richly orchestrated musical portraits of Rome.
Torke’s Bright Blue Music opens the evening with rhythmic drive and vivid orchestral colors. The work offers a contemporary counterpoint to the program’s historic repertoire, demonstrating how orchestral music continues to evolve while retaining its ability to surprise and engage listeners.
Michelle Cann Takes on Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto
Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the composer’s final completed piano concerto, is among the most celebrated works in the repertoire. Known as the “Emperor” Concerto, it combines a commanding orchestral presence with expansive piano passages, lyrical melodies and virtuosic writing.
Cann will join Hotoda and the orchestra to bring the work to life. The concerto’s interplay between piano and orchestra creates a musical conversation that moves between intimate expression and monumental sound, offering both longtime classical music fans and newcomers an opportunity to experience Beethoven’s genius.
Respighi’s Rome Comes Alive at Reynolds Hall
The concert’s orchestral centerpiece features two works by Italian composer Ottorino Respighi: Fountains of Rome and The Pines of Rome.
Through intricate orchestration, shifting moods and dramatic crescendos, Respighi evokes the atmosphere and landscapes of the Italian capital. The works invite listeners to imagine Rome’s fountains, historic sites and iconic pine trees through music that ranges from delicate and atmospheric to powerful and triumphant.
The Pines of Rome will offer a particularly striking experience for audiences at The Smith Center. Brass musicians will sound from the four corners of the venue, surrounding listeners with the work’s thunderous sonorities. The placement adds a spatial dimension to Respighi’s orchestration, making the concert hall itself part of the musical experience.
Together, the four compositions create a program that celebrates the orchestra’s versatility, from the piano’s expressive range to the full ensemble’s capacity for color, precision and dramatic impact.
Connecting Las Vegas Through Music
Now in its 28th season, the Las Vegas Philharmonic brings together 74 professional musicians for performances featuring local talent and nationally and internationally recognized guest artists.
Its work extends beyond the stage at Reynolds Hall. Through music education, its Youth Concert Series and community engagement initiatives, the organization seeks to foster a lifelong appreciation of music among Southern Nevada residents.
As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the Philharmonic relies on individual and corporate support to sustain its artistic, educational and community programs.
Hotoda’s inaugural classical performance offers audiences a chance to welcome the new music director while experiencing a program that combines musical tradition, contemporary creativity, and the full expressive power of a symphony orchestra.
For Las Vegas’ arts community, Rei Conducts Beethoven is both a major concert event and the beginning of a new artistic partnership between Hotoda, the Philharmonic and the city.
Rei Conducts Beethoven will be performed at Reynolds Hall inside The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., on Oct. 17. Doors open at 6 p.m., pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m. and performance begins at 7:30 p.m.
To learn more, visit lvphil.org or call 702.258.5438. Follow the Las Vegas Philharmonic on facebook.com/lasvegasphilharmonic and on Instagram @lvphil.
