PROKOFIEV
BOULDER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
MICHAEL BUTTERMAN, conductor
STEWART GOODYEAR, piano
KABIN THOMAS, narrator
PROKOFIEV
Lieutenant Kijé Suite, Op. 60
PROKOFIEV
Piano Concerto No. 3
PROKOFIEV
Suite from Romeo and Juliet
Overview
A night devoted to the genius of Sergei Prokofiev promises bold emotion, biting wit, and breathtaking beauty. The program opens with his spirited Lieutenant Kijé Suite, originally composed for film—a satirical tale of a fictional soldier brought to life through whimsical marches and lyrical moments. In a special collaboration, the Boulder Philharmonic is joined by CPR Classical Host Kabin Thomas, whose narration weaves story and music across the suite’s five movements.
Acclaimed pianist Stewart Goodyear takes center stage in Piano Concerto No. 3, a virtuosic thrill ride that blends fierce energy with lyricism and biting humor. Widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding and emotionally rich concertos in the repertoire, it’s a perfect match for Goodyear’s electrifying presence and expressive depth. He’s known for marathon performances (including all 32 Beethoven sonatas in a single day!)—but in this work, every note is distilled brilliance.
The evening culminates in the full dramatic sweep of the Suite from Romeo and Juliet, Prokofiev’s monumental ballet score transformed into a symphonic journey. With music that captures everything from feuding families to tender love and tragic fate, it features some of the most evocative and heartbreaking themes ever penned. From the swagger of “Montagues and Capulets” to the aching tenderness of the final moments, this is Prokofiev at his most profound—and unforgettable.
Schedule
Saturday – April 25, 2026 | 7 PM
Pre-Concert Talk | 6 PM
Venue
Macky Auditorium – Boulder, CO
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Beyond the Performance
THE NARRATOR |
CPR Classical’s Kabin Thomas
For the final Masterworks concert of the 2025/26 season, the Boulder Philharmonic features CPR Classical’s Kabin Thomas for a lively presentation of Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kijé Suite. Originally written as the score for a satirical Soviet film about a fictional officer created through a bureaucratic mistake, the music quickly took on a life of its own. Prokofiev later arranged five movements from the score into a concert suite that has become a favorite in orchestral programs around the world—long after the film itself faded from view.To help audiences follow the story behind the music, Music Director Michael Butterman asked his wife, screenwriter, actress, and violinist Jennifer Carsillo, to create a narration that connects the five movements and brings the characters and situations to life. Inspired by the original film’s plot, her version reshapes the story into something lighter and more uplifting while preserving the spirit of Prokofiev’s wit and imagination. For this performance, CPR Classical Host Kabin Thomas brings the narration to life as storyteller and guide, weaving the tale between movements and inviting listeners directly into the drama. The result is a playful collaboration of music and storytelling that highlights Prokofiev’s colorful score while making the experience engaging for both newcomers and longtime concertgoers.
THE ARTIST |
Stewart Goodyear, piano
Praised as “one of the best pianists of his generation” (Philadelphia Inquirer), Stewart Goodyear is a true virtuoso known for his astonishing technique, expressive power, and joyful presence at the keyboard. A child prodigy, he began improvising on the piano before he could read music and was composing by age five. Raised in Toronto, Goodyear studied at Curtis, Juilliard, and the Royal Conservatory, quickly earning acclaim for his performances of the complete Beethoven sonatas—sometimes performed in a single day. His playing has been described as “brilliantly stylish” and “radiant with personality” (The New York Times).
