Rei Hotoda Makes Her Classical Debut as Las Vegas Philharmonic Music Director Oct. 17

Pianist Michelle Cann joins the orchestra for the “Emperor” Concerto as Hotoda launches a new artistic chapter at The Smith Center.

By Debbie Hall

Music, creativity and a new artistic vision converge when the Las Vegas Philharmonic presents Rei Conducts Beethoven on Oct. 17 at Reynolds Hall inside The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The concert marks Rei Hotoda’s inaugural classical performance as the orchestra’s music director, bringing audiences together for an evening of orchestral color, virtuosity and musical storytelling.

Hotoda, who began her four-year tenure in July, takes the podium for a program that bridges contemporary composition and classical masterpieces. The evening features Michael Torke’s Bright Blue Music, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, known as the “Emperor” Concerto, and two evocative works by Ottorino Respighi: Fountains of Rome and The Pines of Rome.

The program offers a compelling introduction to Hotoda’s leadership, pairing familiar orchestral repertoire with the vibrant musical language of a contemporary American composer. It also highlights the expressive range of the Philharmonic’s 74 professional musicians and the distinctive sound of a full symphony orchestra.

Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto Takes Center Stage

Acclaimed pianist Michelle Cann joins Hotoda and the orchestra for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, a work celebrated for its grandeur, lyrical passages and dynamic relationship between soloist and orchestra.

Often called the “Emperor” Concerto, the composition is the final piano concerto Beethoven completed. Its commanding opening, expansive melodies and virtuosic writing have made it one of the most enduring works in the piano repertoire.

Cann brings her artistry to a concerto that demands both technical precision and expressive depth. Her performance will be an opportunity to experience the interplay between the piano’s individual voice and the orchestra’s sweeping musical textures.

Respighi Brings Rome to Life Through Music

The second half of the program explores the orchestral imagination of Italian composer Ottorino Respighi through Fountains of Rome and The Pines of Rome.

Rather than relying on words or images, Respighi uses orchestral color, rhythm and dramatic shifts in sound to evoke the atmosphere of the Italian capital. The music moves between delicate, impressionistic passages and powerful climaxes, inviting listeners to imagine Rome’s fountains, landscapes and historic settings.

The Pines of Rome promises a particularly dramatic experience. Brass musicians will sound from the four corners of The Smith Center, surrounding the audience with the work’s resonant, thunderous sonorities. The spatial arrangement adds another dimension to Respighi’s already expansive orchestration, transforming the concert hall into part of the musical experience.

The program begins with Torke’s Bright Blue Music, a lively contemporary composition known for its rhythmic momentum and bright orchestral colors. Including the work alongside Beethoven and Respighi reflects the Philharmonic’s commitment to presenting music across eras and introducing audiences to a broad spectrum of orchestral expression.

A New Chapter for the Las Vegas Philharmonic

For Hotoda, the Oct. 17 concert represents more than a season opener. It is the beginning of her public artistic partnership with the Las Vegas Philharmonic as its new music director.

A distinguished conductor and pianist, Hotoda brings a perspective shaped by experience on both sides of the podium. Her artistic approach embraces the established classical repertoire while making room for contemporary composers, new collaborations and connections with the communities an orchestra serves.

Her inaugural season includes works by established composers, contemporary voices and guest artists, creating opportunities to experience orchestral music from multiple perspectives. The selection of Torke, Beethoven and Respighi for her first classical program reflects that range, moving from modern rhythmic energy to the architectural brilliance of Beethoven and the vivid soundscapes of Respighi.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic, now in its 28th season, is Southern Nevada’s only professional orchestra. Its performances at Reynolds Hall bring together local musical talent and nationally and internationally recognized guest artists, contributing to the region’s cultural life.

The organization’s work extends beyond the concert stage. Through music education, its Youth Concert Series and community engagement programs, the Philharmonic seeks to foster an appreciation of music among audiences of all ages. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, it depends on individual and corporate support to sustain its artistic and educational initiatives.

With Hotoda at the podium, Cann at the piano and Respighi’s orchestral power filling Reynolds Hall, Rei Conducts Beethoven offers an opportunity to experience the orchestra at a pivotal moment in its artistic development.

For longtime classical music enthusiasts and those discovering symphonic music, the program brings together recognizable masterworks, contemporary energy and an immersive concert-hall experience.

Rei Conducts Beethoven will be performed at Reynolds Hall inside of The Smith Center, 361 Symphony Park Ave., on Oct. 17. Doors open at 6 p.m. / Pre-Concert Lecture at 6:30 p.m. / Performance begins at 7:30 p.m.

To learn more, visit lvphil.org or call 702.258.5438. Follow the Las Vegas Philharmonic on facebook.com/lasvegasphilharmonic and on Instagram @lvphil.