PROKOFIEV

BOULDER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

MICHAEL BUTTERMAN, conductor

STEWART GOODYEAR, piano

PROKOFIEV

Lieutenant Kijé Suite, Op. 60

PROKOFIEV

Piano Concerto No. 3

PROKOFIEV

Suite from Romeo and Juliet 

Overview

A night devoted entirely to the genius of Sergei Prokofiev promises bold emotion, biting wit, and breathtaking beauty. We open with his spirited Lieutenant Kijé Suite, originally composed for film—a satirical romp through Russian bureaucracy, where a fictional soldier’s life is invented and celebrated through whimsical marches, lyrical romance, and unexpected poignancy.

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

Venue

Macky Auditorium – Boulder, CO

For personalized assistance with your ticket order, call the Boulder Phil Box Office at 303.449.1343 or email info@boulderphil.org.

Beyond the Performance

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).