Leif Bjaland and the Orchestra perform seven dynamic concerts featuring epic works and dynamic guest artists.

Virtuoso

November 12, 13, 14, 2010
Leif Bjaland, conductor | Vadim Gluzman, violin

In a thrilling program of short, colorful works, the Orchestra and guest artist prove their virtuosity. From Ravel to Tchaikovsky, Strauss and Barber, this fastpaced concert will feature passion, delight and mastery.

VADIM GLUZMAN: A highly acclaimed recording artist, Israeli violinist Vadim Gluzman is lauded as a performer of great virtuosity and has performed from London’s Wigmore Hall to Carnegie Hall.

ADAMS • Short Ride in a Fast Machine | RAVEL • Tzigane • Vadim Gluzman, violin
TCHAIKOVSKY/GLAZUNOV • Méditation from Souvenir d’un lieu cher • Vadim Gluzman, violin
WEINIAWSKI • Fantasie brillante on Themes from Gounod’s Faust • Vadim Gluzman, violin
BARBER • Medea’s Meditation and Dance of Vengeance
R. STRAUSS • Dance of the Seven Veils from Salome
R. STRAUSS • Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks

Russia

December 3, 4, 5, 2010
Leif Bjaland, conductor | Ya-Fei Chuang, piano

Enjoy Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, the most enduring and popular of his works. The concert concludes with the high voltage Prokofiev Fifth Symphony, which is a triumphant testament to the Russian spirit.

YA-FEI CHUANG: Pianist Ya-Fei Chuang has been described as performing with excitement and power, tender and heroic.

BALAKIREV • Russia | RACHMANINOFF • Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor • Ya-Fei Chuang
PROKOFIEV • Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major

España

January 6, 7, 8, 2011
Leif Bjaland, conductor | Caroline Goulding, violin
Jeanine DeBique, vocalist | Robert Belinic, guitar

Experience a collage of classical works with a Spanish accent. From Ravel's Bolero, to Sarasate's passionate Carmen Fantasy and Chabrier's rousing España, instrumental color and rhythm flows through the concert hall.

GUEST ARTISTS: Three winners of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions in New York are featured. Caroline Goulding, violin; Robert Belinic, guitar; Jeanine DeBique, soprano.

BALAKIREZ • Russia | DEBUSSY • Syrinx • Betsy Hudson Traba, flute| AGUILA • Conga
CASTELNUOVO-TEDESCO • Guitar Concerto No. 1 in D Major • Robert Belinic, guitar
SCHICKELE • Last Tango in Bayreuth | BRITTEN • Playful Pizzicato from Simple Symphony
CHABRIER • España | SARASATE • Fantasy on Bizet’s Carmen • Caroline Goulding, violin
VILLA-LOBOS • Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 • Jeanine De Bique, soprano
ROUSE • Ku-Ka-llimoku | RAVEL • Boléro

Rome

January 28, 29, 30, 2011
Leif Bjaland, conductor | Alessio Bax, piano

Berlioz' Roman Carnival Overture was a success from the moment it premiered. A brilliant Italian musician takes on Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 24. Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4 and Respighi's Roman Festivals round out this Italian affair.

ALESSIO BAX: Winner of the 2009 Avery Fisher Career Grant, pianist Alessio Bax is praised for his Alessio Bax, lyrical playing and insightful interpretations.

BERLIOZ • Roman Carnival Overture
MOZART • Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor • Allesio Bax, piano
MENDELSSOHN • Symphony No. 4 in A Major (Italian)
RESPIGHI • Feste romane (Roman Festivals)

Finlandia

February 18, 19, 20 , 2011
Anu Tali, guest conductor | Jennifer Frautschi, violin

Estonian maestra Anu Tali leads the Orchestra in Sibelius' Finlandia and Tchaikovsky's epic Fifth Symphony. Bruch's Violin Concerto's romantic lyricism adds to this evening of intense beauty.

ANU TALI: One of the most intriguing young conductors on the scene today.

SIBELIUS • Finlandia | BRUCH • Violin Concerto No.1 in G Minor • Jennifer Frautschi
TCHAIKOVSKY • Symphony No. 5, E Minor

Hero

March 10, 11, 12, 13, 2011
Leif Bjaland, conductor | Yevgeny Sudbin, piano

This "all Beethoven" concert begins with his second Leonore overture. His stormy Piano Concerto No. 3 is exhilarating. And in a heroic climax, the Third Symphony (Eroica) illustrates passionate triumph.

YEVGENY SUDBIN: At just 21 years old, Sudbin has already been hailed one of the greatest pianists of the 21st century.

BEETHOVEN • Leonore Overture
BEETHOVEN • Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor • Yevgeny Sudbin
BEETHOVEN • Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major (Eroica)

Paradise

March 31, April 1, 2, 3, 2011
Leif Bjaland, conductor | Jennifer Hines, mezzo-soprano
Key Chorale; Sarasota Young Voices

In Mahler's gigantic Third Symphony, every shade of human emotion is explored. Its musical and choral themes range from the enjoyment of nature to the pleasures of heaven, from spiritual darkness to romantic love.

JENNIFER HINES: Mezzosoprano Jennifer Hines made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 2003.

MAHLER • Symphony No. 3 in D Minor • Jennifer Hines • The Women of the Key Choral
Sarasota Young Voices