Williamsburg’s classical music fans have something new to look forward to this fall when the works of Mozart and Beethoven come to life alongside lesser known composers like Hungarian Zoltán Kodály.
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra announced its upcoming four-part Williamsburg Classics Series, which begins in October and runs through March 2018.
“The Virginia Symphony Orchestra is the finest musical ensemble of any kind in our part of the country,” resident conductor Benjamin Rous said. “Each program shows off its prowess, refinement and power.”
The upcoming season features three soloists with ties in the Tidewater region. Soprano singer Aundi Moore and violist Andrew Gonzalez, a graduate of The Juilliard School, are both Chesapeake natives. The third, clarinetist Michael Byerly, lives in Virginia Beach.
“Each of them will be totally amazing,” Rous said.
Copland’s Clarinet Concerto is the first concert on Oct. 12 at William & Mary’s Phi Beta Kappa Hall. It features music inspired by painter Sandro Botticelli, whose works can currently be seen at the college’s Muscarelle Museum.
On Nov. 9 at Crosswalk Community Church, fans can witness Kodály’s “Dances of Galanta,” inspired by Hungarian folk songs. The Holiday Brass event will celebrate the festive season at St. Bede Catholic Church on Dec. 15. The series will conclude at Crosswalk Community Church on March 23, 2018, with a modern piece inspired by Romanian folk tradition followed by William Walton’s Viola Concerto, led by Gonzalez.
Rous said Williamsburg is a natural fit for the symphony.
“Our events in Williamsburg have an intimate feel, and we also find that our audiences have a very sensitive response to what they hear,” Rous said.
The symphony’s Grammy-winning music director, JoAnn Falletta, echoed these sentiments.
“We always bring our best to that special community,” she said. “We feature composers we know they will enjoy in a mix that will entertain and delight them. Each concert is eclectic, fun and vibrant.”
Birkenmeyer can be reached by phone at 757-390-3029.
Upcoming shows
*Subscriptions ranging from $90 to $221 are available for purchase by section.
*Subscriptions can be purchased at virginiasymphony.org, by phone at 892-6366 or at the Virginia Symphony box office.
*Individual tickets will be available starting in July.
