Atlantic Classical Orchestra Announces 2013 Season of Concerts

March 26, 2012 - PRLog -- The Atlantic Classical Orchestra (ACO) is pleased to announce the 2013 season of concerts featuring an impressive group of solo artists and the introduction of a multi-year New Generation American Composers Project.  The impressive group of artists includes famed Russian pianist Vladimir Feltsman, young violinist Marina Lenau, harpist Bridget Kibbey and Atlantic Classical Orchestra pianist, Tao Lin.  The Composers Project will launch with the world-premiere of a commissioned work by American composer, David Conte, honoring the legacy of  Shirley Zemsky, an ardent supporter of the ACO.

Conductor Stewart Robertson, now in his 9th season as ACO’s Artistic Director, feels that the 2013 season programming continues the upward trajectory the ensemble has experienced over the past two years.  “Concertgoers will be delighted at the 2013 season of performances” Robertson stated.  “It boldly presents us as an ensemble willing to perform substantial and beloved works at a high artistic level while charging forward to discover new and exciting pieces and showcasing young artists.

Robertson opens the 2013 season with an all-Beethoven concert on January 3 (Vero Beach) and January 4 (Stuart) with Russian pianist Vladimir Feltsman performing the grand Emperor piano concerto. The New York Times says of Feltsman: “…quite simply an amazing pianist!”.  The striking Coriolanus Overture will be first on the program and paired excellently to the vibrant Symphony No. 1.

The second concert  (January 31 in Vero Beach and February 1 in Stuart), will feature the first commissioned concert of the New Generation American Composers Project.   David Conte, a Fulbright Scholar and former student  of famed composition teacher Nadia Boulanger, will present  a piece honoring the legacy of longtime ACO supporter and Sailfish Point resident, Shirley Zemsky.  This performance also includes one of Antonin Dvorak’s most lyrical concertos performed by violinist Marina Lenau.  Lenau is part of the Atlantic Classical Orchestra’s Young Artist Discovery Program and has been featured previously on the 2011 and 2012 chamber series.  The elegant and rhythmic Symphony in C by Georges Bizet rounds out this highly esteemed concert.

Harpist Bridget Kibbey makes her South Florida debut at the ACO’s third concert of the season (March 7 in Vero Beach and March 8 in Stuart).  Kibbey performs Camille Saint-Saëns’ Morceau de concert and Grandjany’s Aria in Classic Style for Harp and Strings – two wonderfully beautiful pieces performed by an artist whose 2007 album Love is Come Again was named by Time Out New York as one of the top 10 recordings for 2007.  Other highlights of this performance include Johannes Brahms’ Variations on a Theme of Haydn and Mozart’s Symphony No. 38 ‘Prague.’

American Composer Paul Dooley opens the final concert of the 2013 season (April 4 in Vero Beach and April 5 in Stuart), with his highly-acclaimed Pomo Canyon Air.  This piece was performed by the ACO to great success in 2004 and is followed by ACO pianist Tao Lin’s performance of Mozart’s well-known Piano Concerto No. 24; each performance will feature a different cadenza by a well-known composer.   Bringing this concert to a close is Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony, a piece Robert Schumann considered “most poetic, like an evening corresponding to a lovely morning.”

How to Purchase Season Subscriptions:
Season subscriptions can be purchased by phoning 866-310-7521 or online at www.acomusic.org.  Vero Season subscriptions are $180, Stuart 4 PM subscriptions are $176 and Stuart 8PM subscriptions are $200.  Vero Beach performances are presented at the Waxlax Center for the Performing Arts on Saint Edward’s Campus (1895 Saint Edwards Drive, Vero Beach).  Stuart performances are presented at the Lyric Theatre (59 SW Flagler Avenue, Stuart).  All performances, dates, artists, times and programming are subject to change.

ABOUT THE ATLANTIC CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA
Originally founded by Vero Beach resident and conductor Andrew “Andy” McMullan and a group of supporters in 1991, the Atlantic Classical Orchestra (ACO) has become a world-class performing arts organization and is considered “one of the brightest gems on the Treasure Coast” of Florida.  The musicians in this vibrant and exciting ensemble come from some of the world’s top music institutions.   The ACO is now under the artistic leadership of Grammy-nominated Maestro Stewart Robertson bringing decades of artistic leadership of world-renown organizations including Glimmerglass Opera, Royal Scottish National Opera, the Florida Grand Opera and orchestras such as BBC Scottish Symphony, Netherlands Symphony, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and many more.