Hartford Symphony Plays Violin Sonatas

Mr. Sigal will team up with Hartford Symphony pianist Margreet Francis to bring these colorful costumes to life with four enchanting works for piano and violin: Strauss’ Violin Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 18; Ravel’s Sonate Posthume for Violin and Piano; Debussy’s Suite Bergamasque; and De Falla’s Suite Populaire Espagnole for Violin and Piano.

“Our collaboration with The Wadsworth Atheneum provides a unique opportunity to hear chamber music in a wonderful space filled with artworks that have interesting ties to the works being performed,” says Hartford Symphony Executive Director Kristen Phillips. “It’s a new way for our audience to hear and interact with Hartford Symphony Orchestra musicians on a more personal level.”

Hartford Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster and Chamber Music at the Wadsworth Atheneum Series Artistic Director Leonid Sigal has enjoyed a multi-faceted career as recitalist, chamber musician, and orchestra leader. Born in Moscow, Mr. Sigal’s experience includes recital and chamber music appearances in the United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Japan and South Korea and collaborations with Mstislav Rostropovich, Evgeny Kissin, Edgar Meyer and Joseph Silverstein, among others. Mr. Sigal has served as Artistic Director of the Miami Chamber Symphony and is currently concertmaster and assistant conductor of the Atlantic Chamber Orchestra.

Margreet Francis is a member of the Hartford Symphony where she plays piano, harpsichord, and celesta. Her performances have been recorded for the Centaur label and regularly broadcast over radio and T.V. Ms. Francis performs on a regular basis with members of the Miami String Quartet and the Hartford Symphony. She also spent several years playing piano with the New World Chamber Ensemble, Chamber Music Plus, the Soni Fidelis Woodwind Quintet and Trio ARIOSO.

Marking its 65th season in 2008-2009, the Hartford Symphony Orchestra is Connecticut’s premier musical organization. Widely recognized as one of America’s leading regional orchestras, the Hartford Symphony is the second largest orchestra in New England. Dedicated to the performance of live symphonic music and the presentation of quality education and community programs, each season the Hartford Symphony plays to audiences numbering approximately 160,000, and reaches thousands statewide through its broadcast concerts on WNPR Connecticut Public Radio.

The Hartford Symphony Orchestra’s extensive array of Musical Pathways educational activities serves more than 64,000 individuals in Hartford and surrounding communities annually. The Hartford Symphony Orchestra is supported by more than 5,000 subscribers and 3,000 donors. The Hartford Symphony Orchestra receives major support from donors to the Greater Hartford Arts Council’s United Arts Campaign and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, and additional support from the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts. -- www.hartfordsymphony.org