Bangor Symphony Orchestra Presents Masterworks IV: Pride to Prejudice – Shostakovich 5
Concert Features Shostakovich’s Powerful Fifth Symphony, a World Premiere by Keith Fitch, and a Special Side-by-Side Performance with Young Musicians
Bangor, Maine – The Bangor Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is set to captivate audiences with Masterworks IV: Pride to Prejudice – Shostakovich 5, taking place on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 3:00 PM at the Collins Center for the Arts. This highly anticipated concert will feature the electrifying Fifth Symphony by Dmitri Shostakovich, the world premiere of a new work by acclaimed composer Keith Fitch, and a special Side-by-Side performance with members of the Bangor Symphony Youth Orchestra (BSYO) Philharmonic.
A Program of Power and Passion
Music lovers will experience a program filled with emotion and grandeur, opening with Elgar’s iconic “Pomp and Circumstance No. 1”. The concert continues with the world premiere of Mirrors by Keith Fitch, the winner of the 2024 Ellis-Beauregard Foundation Composer Award. The program culminates with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, subtitled “A Soviet Artist’s Response to Just Criticism”, a stirring masterpiece written as a response to a brutal government condemnation that cemented the composer’s reputation on the world stage.
Spotlighting Young Talent
In a rare and inspiring moment, this concert will showcase a Side-by-Side performance featuring members of the BSYO Philharmonic alongside BSO’s professional musicians. This initiative embodies BSO’s commitment to nurturing young artists and providing them with transformative performance opportunities.
“We are thrilled to have our Bangor Symphony Youth Orchestra perform onstage with us for our Masterworks series,” said Music Director Lucas Richman. “This collaboration underscores our dedication to fostering the next generation of musicians and offering them invaluable experiences that spark growth and creativity.”
A Composer’s Vision
Keith Fitch, whose music has been praised as “gloriously luminous” by The Philadelphia Inquirer, brings his unique compositional voice to Bangor with Mirrors. Fitch expressed excitement about the premiere, sharing:
“As someone who spent much of my early life as a visual artist, I’m particularly excited to receive this commission from the foundation honoring Jean Beauregard and John David Ellis. I am deeply thankful for the Ellis Beauregard Foundation’s support and honored to add another work to the growing repertoire premiered by Lucas Richman and the Bangor Symphony Orchestra.”
Get Your Tickets
Single tickets for Masterworks IV: Pride to Prejudice – Shostakovich 5 are on sale now through the Collins Center for the Arts Box Office. Visit bangorsymphony.org or call (207) 581-1755 to secure your seat.
About the Bangor Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1896, the Bangor Symphony Orchestra is one of the nation’s longest-running professional orchestras. The BSO is dedicated to enriching Maine’s cultural landscape through exceptional live performances, music education, and community engagement. For more information about the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, visit bangorsymphony.org and follow BSO on social media for the latest updates.