<em>Beaufort Symphony Orchestra showcases Romantic Period in “Classically Romantic” Concerts Feb. 26 and Mar.1</em>

Returning to the Beaufort stage to perform this jewel of a violin concerto will be Guest Artist Yuriy Bekker, concertmaster for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.  Concertgoers will remember his dynamic performance in last season’s Beethoven concert, and can look forward to an equally exciting interpretation of Mendelssohn’s masterpiece.  A popular tour de force for violinists, the E Minor’s opening movement begins<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ARTS-Orchestra-.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-21228" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ARTS-Orchestra--150x150.jpg" alt="ARTS-Orchestra" width="150" height="150" /></a> with the soloist presenting the main theme, and is played through all three movements without pause.  The interplay between soloist and orchestra produces beautiful contrasts of tone color and expression, and the dazzling running passages of the violin keep audiences spellbound for just under half an hour.

Mendelssohn’s soaring work is testimony to the truth of his observation, “Music fills the soul with a thousand things better than words.”

As a critically acclaimed soloist, Mr. Bekker has performed throughout the US and abroad and has served as concertmaster for the Charleston orchestra since 2007, and prior to that held the position for the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and AIMS Festival in Graz, Austria. A native of Minsk, Belarus, he is now a US citizen and earned a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory.  His bachelor’s and master’s degrees were acquired from Indiana University’s School of Music.

So mark your calendars and make your plans to attend this superb evening of beautiful music beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26, and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 1.  All tickets are $37.50 at the door, with the exception of Student tickets which are $5.  For savings with Season Tickets go to the orchestra’s website at www.beaufortorchestra.org and print out a subscription form or order online at www.TIX.com or call 1-800-595-4849.  A map with directions to Sea Island Presbyterian Church on Lady’s Island is also on the website.

Mr. Bekker’s performance is sponsored by Robert and Eileen Blovad and Francis and Joell Newton. This concert is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.