May Pops Finale

Saturday, May 4, 2024, 8 pm
Memorial Hall, 590 Main Street, Melrose

The MSO closes out the season with Broadway and blockbuster favorites including music from West Side Story and Pirates of the Caribbean. You’ll also hear the epic Danzon No. 2 by Mexican composer Arturo Márquez, which has become so famous, it is practically a second national anthem in Mexico. 

Flamenco guitarist, Grisha Goryachev, joins the symphony for a performance of the famous Concierto de Aranjuéz. You might recognize this classic from movies such as Brassed Off or School of Rock, or in jazz recordings by Miles Daivs or Chick Corea. Now come enjoy the beauty of the original work.

The concert ends with a performance of music from Star Wars (after all, the concert is on “Star Wars Day”). May the 4th be with you.

Soloist sponsored by ABC Home Healthcare Professionals

About the Soloist

A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, Grisha Goryachev is renowned for his extraordinary musical sensitivity and technical virtuosity in both classical and flamenco styles.

Grisha is one of very few guitarists in the world who is reviving the tradition of solo flamenco guitar in a concert setting that was practiced by legendary flamenco masters such as Ramón Montoya and Sabicas. He creates his own interpretations of these masterpieces, using dynamics and tone colors usually associated with classical guitar.  In May 2005 Grisha was awarded the prize for Best Performance of Spanish Music at the VI International Classical Guitar Competition "Julian Arcás" in Almería, Spain.

Grisha began playing guitar at the age of six, studying first with his father Dmitry, an acknowledged master teacher of the instrument.  At nine years old, Grisha started his performing career as a child prodigy.  His numerous performances in the most prestigious concert halls in the Soviet Union were highly praised.

Grisha received his Bachelor, Master, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where he studied under famous guitar virtuoso Eliot Fisk.  Since his immigration to the United States in 1995, Grisha has toured extensively in the states and abroad as a performer, instructor, and judge for many prominent festivals and venues.