The Richmond Symphony Presents OPENING NIGHT WITH JOSHUA BELL Tonight

Join the Richmond Symphony tonight, September 20, 2014 - 8pm at the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage for Opening Night with Joshua Bell - a special concert featuring the internationally acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell performing Bruch's Concerto No. 1 in G minor for Violin and Orchestra. In addition, the orchestra will be performing three of the greatest works in the classical music cannon: Smetana's The Moldau and Respighi's powerful Pines of Rome and Fountains of Rome.

Often referred to as the "poet of the violin," Joshua Bell's stunning virtuosity, beautiful tone and charismatic stage presence have brought him universal acclaim. An Avery Fisher Prize recipient, Bell recently received the New York Recording Academy Honors. As the first person appointed Music Director of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (ASMF) since Sir Neville Marriner formed the orchestra in 1958, their first CD under Bell's leadership of Beethoven's 4th and 7th symphonies debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical chart.

Bell's 2007 incognito subway station performance resulted in a provocative Washington Post Pulitzer Prize- winning story examining art and context. The conversation continues with the new Annick Press illustrated children's book, The Man With the Violin.

Tickets start at just $25 online at richmondsymphony.com or 1.800.514.ETIX (3849). Child prices are available. This concert is sponsored by Riverfront Investment Group and the media sponsor is Boomer Magazine.

About the Richmond Symphony

Founded in 1957, the Richmond Symphony is the largest performing arts organization in Central Virginia. The organization includes an orchestra of more than 70 professional musicians, the 150-voice Richmond Symphony Chorus and more than 200 students in the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra programs. Each season, more than 250,000 members of the community enjoy concerts, radio broadcasts, and educational

outreach programs. The Richmond Symphony is partially funded by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

About Joshua Bell

Often referred to as the "poet of the violin," JOSHUA BELL's stunning virtuosity, beautiful tone and charismatic stage presence have brought him universal acclaim. An Avery Fisher Prize recipient, Bell recently received the New York Recording Academy Honors. As the first person appointed Music Director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields (ASMF) since Sir Neville Marriner formed the orchestra in 1958, their first CD under Bell's leadership of Beethoven's 4th and 7th symphonies debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical chart. A holiday- themed CD, Musical Gifts From Joshua Bell and Friends featuring collaborations with Chris Botti, Kristin Chenoweth, Chick Corea, Alison Krauss, Placido Domingo, Gloria Estefan, Rene?e Fleming and others will be released in November.

Season highlights include a European and U.S. tour with ASMF, performances with the Houston, Dallas and St. Louis symphonies, and an appearance at Carnegie Hall with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Bell performs the Brahms concerto with Paavo Ja?rvi conducting the Vienna Philharmonic, and Sibelius with Gustavo Dudamel conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic. A U.S. recital tour, a Kennedy Center performance with the National Symphony Orchestra and dates with the Los Angeles Philharmonic round out the season.

Bell's 2007 incognito subway station performance resulted in a provocative Washington Post Pulitzer Prize- winning story examining art and context. The conversation continues with the new Annick Press illustrated children's book, The Man With the Violin.

As a soloist, chamber musician, and conductor, Bell has recorded more than 40 CDs garnering Grammy, Mercury, Gramophone and Echo Klassik awards. Recent releases include French Impressions with pianist Jeremy Denk, At Home With Friends, Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, and Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the Berlin Philharmonic. His discography encompasses the major violin repertoire in addition to John Corigliano's Oscar-winning soundtrack, The Red Violin.

Born in Bloomington, Indiana, Bell received his first violin at age four and at 12 began studying with Josef Gingold, at Indiana University. Two years later, Bell came to national attention with Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra and at age 17, made his Carnegie Hall debut.
Bell plays the 1713 Huberman Stradivarius.

www.joshuabell.com

Photo courtesy of the Richmond Symphony

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