Saturday, the Breckenridge Music Festival (BMF) Orchestra celebrates music tied to Czechoslovakia (more recently known as the Czech Republic).

The concert features Mozart's Symphony No. 38, “Prague,” Dvorak's “American Suite,” Fucik's “Entrance of the Gladiators” showcasing guest conductor Mike Ciserella, Prokofiev's “Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor; Andantino” with pianist Paul Wright, Janacek's “Lachian Dances” and Smetana's “Dances from The Bartered Bride.”

Characteristics of the program include melodious, dance-like rhythms and soulful sonorities, which reflect the Czech culture.

“Musical influences flow in all directions, as illustrated in this evening's programming,” said BMF executive director Marcia Kaufmann. “Dvorak spent a number of years living in the United States and was inspired by American folk music in some of his most famous compositions ... A German-born, Viennese-based composer, Mozart wrote his Symphony No. 38, known as the ‘Prague” Symphony,' to please the musical taste of audiences in that Czech capital city.”

Wright: Giving glory to God

Wright, a 17-year-old pianist from Colorado Springs, joins the orchestra. He is the winner of a Yamaha competition and a Wells Piano Competition.

Wright learned to play at age 5, from his dad. Around ages 11-12, Wright wanted to quit, but his parents “made him play.”

“Now that I've gotten past that stage, I really enjoy it,” Wright said. “I love to play piano because of the meaningfulness of it. It's a way to glorify God.”

One of the most direct ways he honors God is by performing in church. But he also thinks about Bible stories as he plays classical music. One of his piano teachers introduced the idea to him when she taught him Bach's “Italian Concerto in F Major.” Now, when he performs that piece, he imagines the first movement as the life of Jesus Christ, the second as his death and the third as his resurrection.

“It seems to fit perfectly,” he said.

Since then, he has paired Biblical stories to all classical music pieces he learns.

“It makes it more real, because you can think up a fake story, but when you think of something from the Bible ... it adds a realness to the piece that carries over to the emotional effect, and the effect of the piece on the audience.”