We often find ourselves talking about the special place in Knoxville history occupied by Russian composer and pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff. On February 17, 1943, he performed his last recital as a pianist on the University of Tennessee campus, dying six weeks later at his home in Los Angeles.
Of course, Rachmaninoff and his emigration to the U.S. is but one facet of Russian music history from the 19th and early 20th centuries. For its final concert of the 2025-26 season in the Cathedral Concert Series, the Amadeus Concert Ensemble is once again exploring a fascinating corner of music history with “Rachmaninoff & Friends.” This program of Russian romanticism will feature the music of Rachmaninoff, Glinka, Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, and Alyabyev. The concert, under the baton of ACE Artistic Director Brian Salesky, is Sunday afternoon, May 31, at 5:30 PM, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The admission is free with an online reservation.
Making her local debut on this ACE concert, soprano soloist Sunwoo Park will be heard in songs and dramatic arias by Rachmaninoff, Alyabyev, and Tchaikovsky.
Maestro Salesky remarked: “ACE is privileged to present rising star soprano, Sunwoo Park, in a concert of thrilling music by Russian composers that features her beautiful, sparkling voice. The performance will give our community an opportunity to experience this fine young artist in both well-known and rarely performed music. We are deeply grateful to our generous sponsors for their support which allows us to present our programs without charge.”
The Amadeus Concert Ensemble orchestra will perform three familiar works: Glinka’s Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumblebee” and “The Three Wonders” from The Tale of Tsar Saltan. Also making their ACE debut in this concert will be the S.O.U.L.S. Youth Choir.
