Prescott, AZ—March 20, 2025 — Arizona Philharmonic’s April 27th performance of Echoes and Riffs is an exceptional event in many ways. In this last concert of the season, Maestro Peter Bay returns to conduct Internationally-acclaimed Steinway Artist, James D’León and Arizona Philharmonic musicians in Echoes and Riffs—a thrilling and virtuosic ride, blending classical precision with the spontaneous excitement of jazz.

Information and tickets are available here, or by calling 855-321-6724. The performance is 3pm Sunday, April 27, at the Ruth Street Theater, with a pre-concert talk at 2pm. Tickets start at $25 and have no ticketing fee. Art 4 All™ tickets are also available, allowing audience members to pay what they are comfortable with.

What is Echoes and Riffs?

This exciting last performance of the season spans diverse musical eras, beginning with the spiritual, minimalist tones of Arvo Part’s Fratres and moving through Ernest Bloch’s Baroque-inspired Concerto Grosso No. 1, which weaves the warmth of traditional harmonies with the richness of modern expression. Frederick Delius’s Prelude to Irmelin, known for its lyrical beauty and serene, fairytale atmosphere, is the lead-up to the concert’s highlight, Nicholai Kapustin’s Piano Concerto No. 4, Op. 56, hence the journey of Echoes and Riffs. “This lineup promises a richly varied musical journey from quiet transcendence to a jazz-infused climax. And it also marks the first time AZ Phil has been joined by another Prescott arts organization as a Concert Partner—The Mountain Artists Guild,” stated Henry Flurry, AZ Phil’s Artistic Director.

In addition to the concert, the PUSD third graders recorder composition the Flurrys coordinated will be played.

Concert Partnership – Prescott Arts Supporting Each Other

Celebrating its 75th year, Prescott’s Mountain Artists Guild is the first organization to participate as an AZ Phil Concert Partner and will be doing so with the last concert of the season Echoes and Riffs. Concert Partnerships are tailored to meet the needs of the partner, defining what is optimal for them. As part of this partnership, the Guild is holding a special art show, focusing on the theme of Echoes and Riffs. “Music as a subject to paint requires imagination, and to get our member artists thinking about it, we gathered and played some of the pieces from the concert. It was engaging for them and we look forward to seeing their interpretations,” commented Dawn Zintel, Guild treasurer. “We value this opportunity to collaborate with AZ Phil and the arts in Prescott supporting each other,” Zintel added. If you are interested in becoming a concert partner in the future, visit AZPhil/org/concert-partners/ for details.

Music as Art Exhibition

The Echoes and Riffs music-themed juried art exhibition will be hosted in the Guild galleries from March 28 to May 3, and on display at the 4th Friday art walk March 28. The award-winning original art will be showcased at the April 27th concert at Ruth Street Theater.

Community Lecture Series 4/26, 11:00 am

On Saturday, April 26, at 11:00 am, AZ Phil’s final Community Lecture Series will present two highly-professional musicians, Maestro Peter Bay, conductor, and James D’León, internationally-acclaimed, and local resident Steinway artist, discussing varied piano concerti throughout different periods of music history.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children and are available here.

** Please note ** the Community Lecture Series is a separate event from Sunday’s pre-concert talk and will feature distinct content.

About Arizona Philharmonic

Founded in 2018, Arizona Philharmonic (AZ Phil) is Prescott’s only professional orchestra focused on classical music, presenting large and small concerts that engage and inspire listeners. In its seventh season in 2024-25, AZ Phil draws musicians from across Arizona and is committed to offering transformative music, while nurturing community participation and supporting the needs and growth of the Prescott area performing arts scene. Recognized in 2021 by the Prescott Chamber of Commerce for Excellence in Arts and Culture, Arizona Philharmonic is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Ticket information, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities can be found at AZPhil.org or on Facebook.