LV Philharmonic to Open Spotlight Series with 'Brahms: First & Foremost'

The Las Vegas Philharmonic opens its new Tuesday Spotlight Series on February 16th at 7:30 p.m. in the intimate Troesh Studio Theater at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Two additional Spotlight Series performances are scheduled for April 26th and May 3rd. The new series features members of the Las Vegas Philharmonic performing classical works composed for small ensembles narrated by Music Director Donato Cabrera.

The first performance on Tuesday, February 16 is titled Brahms: First & Foremost featuring three beautiful works by Johannes Brahms including the Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, the Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major and the Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor. The program will be performed by three of the Las Vegas Philharmonic's principal strings players, including concertmaster De Ann Letourneau, principal violist Jason Bonham, principal cellist Andrew Smith and guest pianist Sandra Rivers.

The second Spotlight Series performance on April 26th includes Mozart's Quintet in E-flat Major for Piano and Winds, Poulenc's Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano and Beethoven's Quintet in E-flat for Piano and Winds. The musicians performing these piano and winds masterpieces include principal oboist Stephen Caplan, principal clarinetist Cory Tiffin, principal horn Bill Bernatis, principal bassoonist Janis McKay and guest pianist Mykola Suk.

The final performance in the series, Baroque Splendour, on May 3rd showcases gems of the Baroque period including works by Bach and Vivaldi. Concertmaster De Ann Letourneau and principal cellist Andrew Smith return for the final performance and are joined by our principal flutist Alexander Viazovtsev and principal pianist Voltaire Versoza who will play harpsichord in this Baroque performance.

"The Las Vegas Philharmonic musicians are so excited about this new "Spotlight Series" because it gives us yet another opportunity to share a unique side of these great composers in a smaller and more intimate setting," said concertmaster De Ann Letourneau. "For the listener, it's a fun, up close and personal interaction with the composer and players. It's like your own private home concert with your close friends! When you see our Spotlight Series for the first time, you will want more. We are thrilled to begin this new series and present the joy of creating music, right next to you!"

The Spotlight Series can be purchased as a three-concert package for $168 through The Smith Center Box Office, phone 702.749.2000 or online at lvphil.org.

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Brahms: First & Foremost
Tuesday, February 16, 2016 - 7:30 P.M.
Troesh Studio Theater at The Smith Center

De Ann Letourneau, violin

Jason Bonham, viola

Andrew Smith, cello

Sandra Rivers, piano

BRAHMS Violin Sonata No. 1 in G Major, Opus 78

BRAHMS Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, Opus 8

BRAHMS Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, Opus 25

Our Spotlight Series begins with some of the most beautiful music Brahms ever wrote, featuring three of our principal string players, including our Concertmaster, De Ann Letourneau along with pianist, Sandra Rivers.

Mozart, Poulenc & Beethoven
Tuesday, April 26, 2016 - 7:30 P.M.
Troesh Studio Theater at The Smith Center

Stephen Caplan, oboe

Bill Bernatis, horn

Cory Tiffin, clarinet

Janis McKay, bassoon

Mykola Suk, piano

MOZART Quintet in E-flat Major for Piano and Winds, K. 452

POULENC Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano

BEETHOVEN Quintet in E-flat for Piano and Winds, Opus 16

Musical masterpieces for piano and winds by Mozart, Beethoven, and Francis Poulenc, featuring pianist Mykola Suk with Principal Winds of the Las Vegas Philharmonic.

Baroque Splendour
Tuesday, May 3, 2016 - 7:30 P.M.
Troesh Studio Theater at The Smith Center

De Ann Letourneau, violin

Andrew Smith, cello

Alexander Viazovtsev, flute

Voltaire Versoza, harpsichord

A concert featuring gems of the Baroque period, including a soulful cello suite by Johann Sebastian Bach, and intimate chamber works by Vivaldi and others.

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The price of the three-concert Spotlight Series is $168 and can be purchased at The Smith Center box office, by phone: 702.749.2000, or online at lvphil.org.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic, led by Music Director, Donato Cabrera, established its presence in Southern Nevada in 1998. The mission of the organization is to perform music that enriches and educates, helping to build a vibrant, culturally rich community. A proud resident company of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, the Las Vegas Philharmonic brings a valued cultural dimension to the city, providing over 16,000 children each year with vital access to a music education program and showcasing local talents alongside stellar nationally and internationally known guest artists on the magnificent Reynolds Hall stage. At the orchestra's core are 76 contracted professional musicians, many of whom are esteemed educators who also perform in other professional productions in Las Vegas, bringing depth and variety to the organization.