Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Pinchas Zukerman to appear at Phillips Center, Jan. 8
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — One of the premiere orchestras in the world will be coming to the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Jan. 8, appearing with world-renowned conductor and violinist Pinchas Zukerman.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra was founded by Sir Thomas Beecham, regarded by many as one of Britain’s greatest conductors and classical music’s more flamboyant characters. In 1946, Beecham set about creating a world-class ensemble from the finest musicians in the country. He envisioned an orchestra that would bring the greatest music ever composed to every corner of the United Kingdom. Since Sir Thomas’ death in 1991, the orchestra’s musical direction and development has been guided by a series of distinguished maestros including Rudolf Kempe, Antal Dorati, André Previn and Vladimir Ashkenazy. Today, under the inspired leadership and gifted musicianship of Daniele Gatti (Music Director since 1996), the orchestra continues to expand its international reputation whilst maintaining a deep commitment to its self-appointed role as Britain’s national orchestra.
Over the years, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has become a byword for exceptional quality and versatility as the sheer diversity of its activities, stretching from the unashamedly popular Hooked on Classics™ series through the stalwarts of the European concert repertoire to long-standing associations with contemporary and living composers, bears testament. Sir Thomas Beecham once said, “Good music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and quits the memory with difficulty.” Today, as then, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra seeks unfailingly to prove the truth of his words.
Joining the orchestra as guest conductor and violin soloist is Pinchas Zukerman. Mr. Zukerman has been recognized as a phenomenon for nearly four decades. His musical genius, prodigious technique and exceptional artistic standards have long been a marvel to critics and audiences alike. His devotion to younger generations of musicians who are inspired by his magnetism has been applauded worldwide. He is equally respected as a violinist, violist, conductor, pedagogue and chamber musician.
Born in Tel Aviv in 1948, Pinchas Zukerman began studying at age eight with Ilona Fisher. With the guidance of Isaac Stern and Pablo Casals, and the support of the America-Israel and Helena Rubinstein Foundations, he came to the United States in 1962 to study with Ivan Galamian on scholarship at The Juilliard School. In 1967 he won first prize in the 25th Leventritt Competition, setting the stage for his solo career. He has held numerous artistic positions including Music Director of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra for seven years and Principal Guest Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for two years. He currently chairs the Pinchas Zukerman Performance Program at the Manhattan School of Music.
In October 2002 he became the first recipient of the Isaac Stern Award for Artistic Excellence at the National Arts Awards Gala in New York City, and in May 2006 was appointed as the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative’s first instrumentalist mentor in the music discipline. Mr. Zukerman’s extensive discography contains more than 100 titles. He has earned 21 Grammy nominations and two awards: Best Chamber Music Performance in 1980 and Best Classical Performance, Instrumental Soloist with Orchestra, in 1981.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Pinchas Zukerman will appear at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Tuesday, Jan . 8 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are: $60, front orchestra and mezzanine; $50, mid-orchestra; $40, rear orchestra; and $30, balcony. The performance is sponsored by Holloway Financial Services and The Alan and Carol Squitieri Performing Arts Endowment.
The concert will feature Serenade for Strings in E Minor, Op. 20 by Elgar; Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26 by Bruch, featuring Pinchas Zukerman as the violin soloist and Jean-Philippe Tremblay as guest conductor; and Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 36 by Tchaikovsky.
Tickets are available by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-ARTS (2787) or 800-905-ARTS (toll-free within Florida) or by calling Ticketmaster at 904-353-3309 or toll free at 800-277-1700. Orders may also 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 Union and all Ticketmaster outlets; and on the web at www.ticketmaster.com. Cash, checks, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Group tickets are also available.
The Phillips Center Box Office will be closed for the holiday through Jan. 5, but is generally open Monday – Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. and two hours prior to performances. Performance dates, times and programs are subject to change.