Pre-concert lecture by Classical California KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen at 7pm

FEATURED ARTIST:

Joshua Bell, violin

PROGRAM:

VINCE MENDOZA opening work (new commission)
MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
SCHUMANN Symphony No. 2, Op. 61

One of those rare musicians whose charisma and effortless talent has made him a beloved and revered musician across the world, violinist Joshua Bell appears with his chamber orchestra, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, for an enchanting evening of musical brilliance.

For the opening work, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields wish to present a new work created for the Academy by Vince Mendoza. This work will be a 10-15-minute piece commissioned to feature Joshua Bell and Douglas Marriner (Sir Neville’s grandson and a phenomenal jazz drummer). The piece will represent the Academy’s past, present (with Joshua Bell as Music Director) and future (with Douglas as the “next generation” of Marriners). By combining jazz and classical elements, too, it will be an interesting and future-facing departure for the orchestra. It will be energetic, approachable and exciting music.

Classical music superstar Joshua Bell is one of the most celebrated musicians of our time. “A charismatic performer with an effortless technique and sweet tone” (The New York Times), he has a career spanning over thirty years as a soloist, chamber musician, recording artist, conductor and director, along with countless honors, such as a Grammy Award, the Avery Fisher Prize and Echo Klassik awards, as well as being recognized as Musical America’s 2010 Musician of the Year.

Led by Joshua Bell, the Academy of St Martin in the Fields is one of the world’s finest chamber orchestras, renowned for fresh, brilliant interpretations of the world’s greatest orchestral music. The group has been featured in concert halls across the world, and has been featured in numerous recordings, including the soundtrack to the Oscar-winning film Amadeus.

Co-presented with Philharmonic Society of Orange County (PSOC).