Orlando Philharmonic Presents Midori & Minnesota Orchestra: Beethoven's Fifth Symphony

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor and the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will host a one-night-only performance of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony on Friday, March 9 featuring the Minnesota Orchestra. Renowned violinist Midori will also perform Sibelius Concerto for Violin in D minor. The concert takes place at 8 p.m. at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, 401 W Livingston Street, Orlando. 


Led by Minnesota Orchestra Music Director Osmo Vänskä, the program also features Midori performing Jean Sibelius’ Concerto for Violin in D minor, and the Minnesota Orchestra performing Brahms’ Variations on a Theme of Joseph Haydn.


Midori made her debut as an 11-year-old violinist at the New York Philharmonic’s traditional New Year’s Eve concert, where she received a standing ovation and the impetus to begin a major career.  Today she is recognized for the evolution and scope of her 28-year career as one of the most dazzlingly gifted performers before the public. Midori is currently in her 7th year as Jascha Heifetz Chair at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, and her 4th year as Chair of its Strings Department.


The Minnesota Orchestra, led by Music Director Osmo Vänskä, ranks among America’s top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in its home state and around the world; award-winning recordings and radio broadcasts.  The Orchestra made its New York City debut in 1912 at Carnegie Hall, where it has performed regularly ever since. The 98-member ensemble now presents nearly 200 programs each year at its home venue of Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis, and around the world. Its concerts are heard by live audiences of 400,000 annually.


The Minnesota Orchestra is sponsored by Anonymous, while additional programmatic expenses are sponsored by the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation. The concert is performed in memory and in honor of David and Libby Roberts. The concert with Midori was scheduled to be part of the Festival of Orchestra’s 2011-12 season, but its closing last year left the contracted obligation uncertain. With help from both sponsors, the Orlando Philharmonic took on the project.


According to Executive Director David Schillhammer, “Our generous anonymous donor had a special interest in seeing the Minnesota Orchestra perform here in Orlando, and it is this person’s wish that the concert be performed in honor and memory of David and Libby Roberts, Minnesota natives who transplanted to Central Florida many decades ago.” 


The Roberts were known as generous philanthropists in their own right, and David Roberts was a founding director of the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation.


Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation President, CEO and Director David Odahowski also expressed his support for this effort.


“Over many years, the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation invested in Festival of Orchestras, and we lamented its closing.  But with Edyth Bush herself hailing from Minnesota, and with the generosity of an anonymous donor, combined with that person’s grace in wishing to honor Dave and Libby Roberts, it seemed natural for the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation to step up and share in the philanthropy required to bring this great orchestra and world renowned violinist to Central Florida.”


Tickets to Midori with the Minnesota Orchestra are $14.75, $29, $39, $52 and $70.  To order, phone the Orlando Philharmonic Box Office at 407-770-0071 or visit www.OrlandoPhil.org.



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