Join the Southwest Symphony, artist-in-residence David Park for Mendelssohn’s exquisite violin concerto

The Southwest Symphony performs "Peter and the Wolf" at the Cox Performing Arts Center, St. George, Utah, Feb. 4, 2022 | Photo courtesy of the Southwest Symphony, St. George News

CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Continuing yet another stellar season of bringing live classical music to Southern Utah, the Southwest Symphony welcomes back artist-in-residence David Park for a performance of Mendelssohn’s “Violin Concerto in E minor.” The concert is slated for Friday, Feb. 3, at the Cox Performing Arts Center in St. George. 

The Southwest Symphony performs “Peter and the Wolf” at the Cox Performing Arts Center, St. George, Utah, Feb. 4, 2022 | Photo courtesy of the Southwest Symphony, St. George News

Park will also visit local schools to give master classes and presentations on behalf of the Southwest Symphony during the week of the concert. He studied under the legendary Jascha Heifetz as a teenager and has performed solos and recitals in many of the world’s greatest concert halls, including Carnegie Hall in New York City and the Salle Pleyel in Paris.

“It’s going to be an incredible opportunity for these students to work with an artist of that caliber,” said Lucas Darger, the symphony’s music director.

Among the most prominent and highly regarded concertos for violin, Mendelssohn’s composition has developed a reputation as an essential work in the violin repertoire. Park will play the concerto with a Stradivarius violin handcrafted in 1692. This extraordinary instrument, loaned to him through an anonymous donor, is regarded as one of the finest violins ever made.

The concert will be recorded for release with Centaur Records. This is the first time the Southwest Symphony has had an opportunity to record a major-label album, Darger said, and it will surely become a cherished memory for everyone in the audience.

The violin concerto will be paired with trailblazing American composer Florence Price’s “Symphony No. 1.” In 1933, she made history as the first Black woman to have her work performed by a major symphony orchestra upon its debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The symphony is classically composed but highlights many popular musical styles of the era, including jazz and big band.

Artist-in-residence David Park, location and date not specified | Photo courtesy of the Southwest Symphony, St. George News

“It’s a piece of American history,” Darger said. “The whole piece is invigorating and will be a great complement to the Mendelssohn concerto.”

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices range between $15.50 and $36 depending on the section and may be purchased online or by calling the Utah Tech University ticket office at 435-652-7800. Discounted tickets are available for seniors and students, as well as when purchasing four or more tickets to the same performance.

The Southwest Symphony’s 42nd performance season is an exciting and diverse series of concerts featuring everything from Handel’s “Messiah” to the iconic songs of James Bond. Their next shows, scheduled for March 3 and 4, will honor one of the supreme achievements in music history: Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony. The symphony will be joined by the Lieto Voices! choir and professional soloists to perform this timeless masterpiece, including the unforgettable “Ode to Joy.” 

Originally assembled as a handful of local musicians seeking a venue for sharing classical music with the community, the Southwest Symphony is now an auditioned group of about 80 professional and skilled amateur performers. Although the musicians receive a small stipend for their participation, it’s essentially a volunteer organization supported by a combination of ticket sales, grants, corporate sponsorships and private donations.

The Southwest Symphony performs “Peter and the Wolf” at the Cox Performing Arts Center, St. George, Utah, Feb. 4, 2022 | Photo courtesy of the Southwest Symphony, St. George News

Darger said the people of Southern Utah always have been extremely generous in their patronage of the performing arts, and the musicians and staff of the Southwest Symphony work tirelessly to produce quality concerts every season. The symphony has won the Best of State award for community orchestra three years in a row, a recognition that speaks to the dedication and talent of every person involved.  

“They’re very passionate about it, and they love what they’re doing,” he added. “It’s really a gem for our community to have an orchestra of this level in this small of a city.”

Visit the Southwest Symphony website to purchase tickets and learn how your support helps advance the performing arts in Southern Utah.

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

•  S P O N S O R E D   C O N T E N T  •

Event details

  • What: Southwest Symphony presents “Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with David Park.” 
  • When: Friday, Feb. 3, starting at 7:30 p.m. 
  • Where: Cox Performing Arts Center, 335 S. 700 East, St. George. 
  • Tickets: Premium $28.50-$36; area 1 $24-$30; area 2 $18-$22.50; area 3 $15.50-$19.50.  
  • Resources: Website

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

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