Estonian National Symphony Orchestra to Play Wharton Center, 11/8

The acclaimed Estonian National Symphony Orchestra makes its Wharton Center debut Friday, November 8, led by Music Director and Michigan favorite Neeme Järvi. The lineup features one of Dvorák's most popular works, the Cello Concerto in B minor, along with Sibelius' triumphant Symphony No. 5 and Veljo Tormis' powerhouse Overture No. 2. Neeme Järvi and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra will be performing on the Cobb Great Hall Stage on November 8, 2013 at 8:00 PM. Tickets range from $27.00 to $67.00 with student tickets available for $15.00, and are available online at whartoncenter.com, at the Auto-Owners Box Office or by calling 1-800-WHARTON.

After serving as Music Director for the Detroit Symphony for 15 years, Neeme Järvi returns to Michigan with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, the orchestra where he started his career. After building the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra into one of the finest in the former Soviet Union, Neeme Järvi returned as Music Director of the ensemble in 2010. Maestro Järvi has made over 400 recordings and earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest conductors of our time. Known for his remarkable artistry as well as his charming, vibrant personality, he is beloved by audiences worldwide and is most certainly a Michigan favorite. Maestro Järvi has conducted other distinguished orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony and the Orchestre de Paris. He is also the patriarch of a musical family; his daughter and two sons all followed in his footsteps as musicians, and have garnered countless accolades in their own right.

Also featured in this performance will be soloist Narek Hakhnazaryan, First Prize and Gold Medal winner of the Tchaikovsky International Competition, the most prestigious prize given to a cellist. He will be the featured soloist for Dvorák's Cello Concerto in B minor. Written during Dvo?ák's time in the U.S., he actually revised the work in his native Bohemia upon learning of the death of his sister-in-law Josefina. As a young man, Dvorák fell in love with Josefina, but in the end married her sister. In the cello concerto's second movement, Dvorák based a portion on Josefina's favorite song, one of Dvo?ák's Four Songs, prior to the work launching into its exuberant finale. This radiant work has become one of the finest cello concertos ever composed, and is one not to be missed with this extraordinary roster of artists.

The Estonian National Symphony Orchestra is one of three performances this season with a Spotlight Dinner. Spotlight Dinner patrons enjoy a buffet dinner in Wharton Center's Christman Lounge, and will have the opportunity to engage with Ms. Kadri Tali, Executive Director of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. Spotlight Dinners are available for $45 per person (includes dinner and one glass of wine or beer and a cash bar). The Spotlight Dinner for the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra will be Friday, November 8, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.

Photo by Ilma Dirigendita