The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra (RSO) continues its 60th anniversary season on Saturday, Feb. 8, with a concert titled “Prowess & Passion.” The performance features the outstanding professional musicians of the RSO under the leadership of Music Director Eric Mahl, in concert with award-winning violinist Jennifer Koh.
The concert opens with the beautiful Danse Nègre by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and continues with Tchaikovsky’s iconic and powerful Concerto for Violin performed by Koh, a violinist recognized for her intense, commanding performances, delivered with dazzling virtuosity and incredible technique.
“When I first discovered music and began making music, I simply loved the music itself and wanted to be part of this powerful, visceral form of human communication and connection,” Koh said.
The performance of the Tchaikovsky concerto with the RSO comes in the 30th anniversary year of Koh’s winning the International Tchaikovsky Competition (a classical music competition held every four years in Russia) at the age of 17 with this concerto.
The second half of the concert features Symphony No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Written between 1906 and 1907, this piece is one of the composer’s most popular compositions. It was described by Classical Music Forum as “intelligent, beautiful, skillful, stimulating and expressive.” The symphony premiered in St. Petersburg in January 1908, Russian concert-goers immediately embraced the work, and the rest of the world soon followed.
“This is a piece that must be heard live to be fully experienced,” RSO Executive Director Laurie Kenagy said. “We are so fortunate to have a world-class orchestra locally and accessibly to readily be able to hear music this powerful in person.”
The concert will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Clune Auditorium (395 Danbury Road). Doors will open at 6 p.m. There will be a pre-concert talk in the auditorium at 6:30 p.m. with Music Director Eric Mahl, open to all ticket holders.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the RSO box office at 203.438.3880 or on the RSO website. [Editor’s note: Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra has extended a 20%-off offer to GOOD Morning Wilton readers! To receive the special offer, click this link in the article, scan the QR code below or use promo code SALE.]
Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra is a professional nonprofit symphony orchestra with the mission to enrich the cultural lives of the citizens of Ridgefield and surrounding communities by presenting musical performances of the highest artistic quality. The RSO also strives to increase the appreciation for music through active community involvement and innovative educational programs.
