Sarah Chang Takes Center Stage With Austin Symphony

Welcher – Symphony No. 5 (world premiere)
Bruch – Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26
Tchaikovsky – Capriccio italien, Op. 45

Maestro Peter Bay opens the evening with the world premiere of Dan Welcher’s Symphony No. 5. Welcher, who currently holds the Lee Hage Jamail Regents Professorship in Composition at the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music, created his Symphony No. 5 in celebration of Peer Bay’s first ten years on the Austin Symphony podium.

After a brief intermission, Maestro Bay welcomes violinist Sarah Chang to center stage. Recognized the world over as one of classical music’s most captivating and gifted performers, Ms. Chang is one of the most remarkable prodigies of any generation. She has matured into a young artist whose musical insight, technical virtuosity, and emotional range continue to astonish.

Ms. Chang joins the Austin Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1. Within the context of virtuosic, violinistic writing, Bruch’s concerto also reflects his strong vocal heritage. The evening concludes with Piotr Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio italien.

Concertgoers can enjoy “Concert Conversations” with Bob Buckalew at 7:10 p.m. in the concert hall. These free discussions provide an in-depth look at the composers and works being performed, including commentary on the social climate in which they were composed. -- www.austinsymphony.org