The Brevard Music Center (BMC) announced today that virtuoso violinist Sarah Chang will open its 79th season on Saturday, June 20 at 6PM at Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium. Ms. Chang replaces pianist André Watts, whose sudden illness necessitated a cancellation of his BMC opening night performance. Ms. Chang will perform Bruch’s exquisite Violin Concerto No. 1, considered by many to be the German composer’s most famous and celebrated composition.
“While we are deeply disappointed by the unforeseen illness of our friend and colleague, André Watts, we are delighted to welcome Sarah Chang to the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium,” noted Mark Weinstein, president of the Brevard Music Center. “Her exuberance, vitality, technical virtuosity and emotional depth make her one of the most recognized virtuosi of our time. As a child prodigy, who made her debut with the New York Philharmonic at age 8, she embodies the essence and importance of nurturing and educating our next generation of classical musicians. I can’t wait to present Sarah to our BMC audience, orchestra and campus.”
Principal Guest Conductor JoAnn Falletta remains at the podium for BMC’s 2015 season opener, which also spotlights the Brevard Music Center Orchestra performing Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3 and Symphony No. 7.
Maestra Falletta returns to Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium the next day—Sunday, June 21 at 3PM—to lead the Brevard Sinfonia in an afternoon concert featuring Strauss’s “Dance of the Seven Veils” from Salomé, Lalo’s Symphonie espanole, and Respighi’s Church Windows.
