Violinist Joan Kwuon to appear with BBC National Orchestra of Wales

January 2, 2007

GAINESVILLE, FL – The BBC National Orchestra of Wales with guest violinist Joan Kwuon will perform at the Phillips Center at 6 p.m. on Jan. 23. There will be a post-performance discussion with Kwuon.

The group the world has come to know as the BBC National Orchestra of Wales was originally founded in 1928 as the Cardiff Station Orchestra. Funding problems led to the group’s disbanding in 1931. With a small group of 20 musicians, the group re-formed in 1935 as the BBC Welsh Orchestra, but suspended activities in 1939 due to World War II. During the war, Sir Adrian Boult toured Wales with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Audience reaction led him to recommend the re-creation of a Welsh orchestra and in 1946, the BBC and the Arts Council funded the new BBC Welsh Orchestra. From that moment forward, the orchestra grew into what was to eventually become the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

Today, the orchestra occupies a very special role as both a national and broadcasting orchestra, acclaimed not only for the quality of its performances but also for its importance within its own community. Besides its Welsh and international tours, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales is the orchestra-in-residence at St. David’s Hall in Cardiff, and presents a regular concert series at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea. The orchestra has recorded a diverse range of works for CD, including the complete cycles of Rubbra symphonies, Bridge Orchestral music and the music of Sir Lennox and Michael Berkeley. Future releases include music by Bliss, Elgar and Florent Schmitt.

American violinist Joan Kwuon will join the BBC at the Phillips Center. At the invitation of Sir André Previn, Kwuon made her solo debut at the Tanglewood Music Festival performing the Brahms “Violin Concerto.” Since then, she has built a following among classical music lovers, has been praised for her “impassioned and poised” playing, and has been recognized by media outlets as diverse as “The Today Show” and National Public Radio. Kwuon appeared under Maestro Previn with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Prometheus Orchestra in Carnegie Hall. She also has been engaged by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, NHK Symphony of Tokyo and the Moscow State Symphony. Kwuon has participated in a number of interesting collaborations, including a recent duet performance with Tony Bennett at Jazz at Lincoln Center and Tanglewood.

Tickets are available by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at (352) 392-ARTS (2787) or (800) 905-ARTS or by calling Ticketmaster at (904) 353-3309. Orders may be faxed to (352) 846-1562. Tickets are also available in person at the Phillips Center Box Office, University Box Office at the University of Florida Reitz Student Union and all Ticketmaster outlets; and on the web at www.ticketmaster.com.

The Phillips Center Box Office is from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and two hours before performances.