The final Classical Masterworks concert of the 2007-2008 Season is on Saturday, March 8, 2008, at the Naugatuck Valley Community College Fine Arts Center. The concert, beginning at 8:00 PM, features violinist Jennifer Frautschi performing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto and Bela Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra.

Jennnifer Frautschi has grown to become one of the newest violin sensations in the world today. She has a wide ranging repertoire, including the classical masterworks (like the Beethoven Violin Concerto she will be playing with the WSO) to 20th and 21st Century music. Ms. Frautschi comes to the Waterbury Symphony after having performed with the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, Madison Symphony, and several orchestras in Europe this season. One of the most interesting facts to note about this performance, is that Ms. Frautschi performs on a 1722 Stradivarius Violin known as the “ex-Cadiz,” which is on loan from an American foundation.

The Beethoven Violin Concerto that she plays was premiered in December of 1806. However, it was rarely performed after the premiere (it was not well received), and would most likely have stayed out of the annals of classical masterworks if it were not for Felix Mendelssohn’s revival of it with Joseph Joachim in the 1840’s. Since that time, the violin concerto has become one of the most recognizable and most played violin concertos in classical music. The piece is a masterwork – a great piece to showcase Ms. Frautschi’s energetic performance style and technical command of the violin. The performance leaves little doubt at why she has captivated audiences around the world.

The second half of the concert features Bela Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra. This challenging piece will feature several of our musicians in the orchestra, showcasing their virtuosic abilities. The second of a three part series on this piece can be found in another article in our e-newsletter by clicking here.

Tickets to this great finale of our Masterworks Series are $40, $30, $15, and $5 for students. We do offer a Family Pack – which includes 2 adult tickets and up to four student tickets for $50. Tickets can be purchased by calling 203-574-4283 or online, through our E-Box Office.