The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra (OPO) has had the fortune of hosting an impressive array of soloists over the years. The difference between past performers and Sarah Chang, is that the young South Korean-American violinist bears the indelible stamp of former 'child prodigy'.
Chang debuted with no less than the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at only 8 years old. She has been on an increasingly upward journey ever since, collaborating with world-renowned orchestras and conductors all over the world, as well as being active in community leadership roles.
On January 26 and 27, Chang's engagement with the OPO will be a feast to savor for aficionados of American classical masterpieces and casual listeners alike. Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto of 1939 is a modern delight and a highly influential piece. The composer's style is characterized by bold strikes and emphatic gestures, within Romantic forms. A true gem of the American canon, the Violin Concerto performed by the top-drawer Sarah Chang will be an experience worth having among Central Florida audiences.
Chang received her 1717 Guarnerius Del Gesu violin from Isaac Stern, her mentor. She describes it as "an incredibly powerful instrument, with a deep, dramatic tone on the lower strings and a beautifully sweet tone on the upper strings."
Also featured in the program is a masterpiece of the Romantic period, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5. One of the composer's most popular works, the symphony did not immediately receive the reverence we give it today, but it quickly ascended to the special status it rightly deserves.
Leading the OPO will be Alasdair Neale, Music Director of the Sun Valley Summer Symphony.
When asked why someone who does not necessarily know these pieces or is a newcomer to classical music should make an effort to attend her concert with the OPO, Chang had this to say: "There is something very special about experiencing a concert live. There is, of course, the visual aspect of being in a lush, gorgeous hall, with the orchestra in tails and the women in beautiful evening gowns, but the emotional journey that one goes through, while listening to the music flowing through the hall and vibrating through the floor, is what truly touches your heart and ultimately moves you."
Chang & Tchaikovsky
January 26 and 27: 8 p.m. Saturday or 3 p.m. Sunday
Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
ROSSINI | Semiramide Overture
BARBER | Violin Concerto
TCHAIKOVSKY | Symphony No. 5
For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
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