ST. GEORGE — The Southwest Symphony Orchestra is beginning the new year in style by presenting “The Best of Beethoven” in a special performance joined by violinist David Park of the Utah Symphony.
Besides being assistant concertmaster for the Utah Symphony, Park travels the world as a featured violin soloist and will be stopping in St. George on Jan. 26 to accompany the Southwest Symphony for an evening celebrating the music of Ludwig van Beethoven.
Park will be performing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D minor.
He has been described as “a soloist with extraordinary gifts” by the Salt Lake Tribune. He began playing the violin at the age of 5 in Seoul, Korea, and by the time he turned 14, was practicing as one of the last students of legendary Russian-American violinist Jascha Heifetz.
Southwest Symphony music director and conductor Lucas Darger, who has had several opportunities to hear Park perform, told St. George News he is thrilled to have him join the symphony for the concert. Park’s debut solo CD recently won the Global Music Award, and he currently serves as the cultural ambassador representing Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari.
“Mr. Park was one of my teachers, and I’ve known him for many years,” Darger said. “He is an absolutely phenomenal artist.”
Park also studied with some of the greatest violinists of the last century, including Josef Gingold and Dorothy Delay, and received his bachelor’s degree in music at the University of Indiana and master’s at the Juilliard School.
Darger said Beethoven’s Violin Concerto is the perfect piece to showcase Park’s artistry.
“It requires both incredible technical virtuosity and extreme musical sensitivity,” he said, “and I’m certain that the audience will be mesmerized by the performance.”
Beethoven’s captivating Fifth Symphony will finish off the evening, and though it is one of the most recognizable pieces of music of all time, there is nothing like hearing the piece live, Darger said. The genius of the piece is that, despite its complexity, it is built almost entirely on those famous opening notes, making it accessible and engaging even to audiences who wouldn’t typically consider classical music their go-to genre.
Darger said all of the musicians are excited to undertake this monumental work, and he can already tell the atmosphere will be electric on the night of the concert.
“It is so powerful and energetic that even after we finish a long and difficult rehearsal, we leave feeling more excited and energized than when we came.”
“The Best of Beethoven” will be an evening of symphonic elegance everyone will remember.
About the Southwest Symphony Orchestra
The symphony’s vision is to become the Southwest’s premier orchestra, and they are dedicated to maintaining their position as the cultural heart of the community. Their mission statement reads:
We inspire and enrich audiences through the transformative power of symphonic music. As the cultural heart of the community, we share the beauty of music through educational and entertaining performances.
The nonprofit arts organization’s goals include building an interest and appreciation for symphonic music; building partnerships that create understanding, trust and diverse audiences; building financial support that allows to expansive growth of programming and community services; leading the field of music arts education; and acting as a voice for the arts in the development of city, county and state policy issues.
Event details
- What: Southwest Symphony Orchestra presents “The Best of Beethoven.”
- When: Saturday, Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Cox Auditorium, 225 S. 700 East. St. George.
- Cost: $12-$25. Family pass – 1/2 price tickets for 4-10 people.
- Purchase tickets: Online or at the DSU Box Office, 225 S. 700 East, St. George.
• S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T •
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