WMS Masterworks Concert to Feature Beethoven & Blue Jeans on March 7 and 8
Chee-Yun Will Also Hold a Master Class and Perform at The Block
Muskegon, Michigan, February 19, 2014 – The West Michigan Symphony Masterworks concerts on Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8 will feature guest violinist Chee-Yun.
Chee-Yun’s flawless technique, dazzling tone and compelling artistry have enraptured audiences on five continents, and she continues to carve a unique place for herself in the ever-evolving world of classical music. She joins the Symphony for its popular Beethoven and Blue Jeans concerts, which encourage the audience to join the orchestra in wearing jeans for the performance.
The concerts will be held at the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. The law firm Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge is the guest artist sponsor.
Music Director Scott Speck will direct the WMS in performances of:
• A premiere of David Schiff’s “Stomp,” based on “I Feel Good” by James Brown
• Beethoven’s lighthearted Symphony No. 2
• Tchaikovsky’s thrilling Concerto for Violin featuring soloist Chee-Yun
“Tchaikovsky’s violin concerto is so difficult that the violinist for whom it was composed declared it ‘unplayable,’” Speck said. “But Chee-Yun is an amazing soloist. I’ve worked with her many times, and you have to hear her in person to get the full effect of her playing.”
Chee-Yun’s first public performance was at age 8 in her native Seoul after she won the Grand Prize of the Korean Times Competition. The winner of numerous international competitions, Chee-Yun performs regularly with the world’s foremost orchestras, including the London Philharmonic, Toronto Symphony Orchestra and symphonies throughout the United States.
In addition to her active performance and recording schedule, Chee-Yun is a dedicated educator and gives master classes around the world. She is now the artist-in-residence at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. As part of her commitment to education, Chee-Yun will hold a master class on Wednesday, March 5 at 6 p.m. at The Block. That performance is free and open to the public.
The charming, charismatic and deeply passionate Chee-Yun will also perform a program which has been titled “Chee-Yun. Violin. Cupcakes.” at The Block, the Symphony’s new, intimate venue, on Sunday, March 9 at 3 p.m. She will be accompanied by Kelly Karamanov, WMS principal piano. Their repertoire will include:
• Bach’s “Chaconne”
• Massenent’s “Meditation from Thais”
• Saint-Saens’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso in A minor
• Elgar’s “Salut d’Amour”
• Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen”
Single tickets for the Masterworks’ concert range from $17 to 47 and may be purchased online at www.westmichigansymphony.org; by calling 231.726.3231; or in person at 360 W. Western Ave. Student tickets are $5 for this concert but are not available online. College students must present a valid ID when they purchase tickets.
Tickets for The Block performance start at $20. Doors for the performance will open at 2 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the West Michigan Symphony ticket office at 231.726.3231. For more information, contact 231.726.3231 or info@westmichigansymphony.org.
About West Michigan Symphony
As one of the few professional regional orchestras in Michigan, West Michigan Symphony has played a leading role in the region’s cultural community for nearly 75 years. WMS serves a regional audience with eight pairs of concerts annually, along with dozens of educational and outreach activities for children and adults. Earlier this year, the organization also launched The Block, a new and intimate concert venue in downtown Muskegon that will host a wide range of performers. WMS also oversees operations for the West Michigan Youth Symphony and the newly formed WMS Children’s Choir. For more information, visitwww.westmichigansymphony.org.
