Pacific Symphony Opens 2018 WITH BEETHOVEN'S FIRST AND ONLY VIOLIN Concerto, Performed by Ray Chen

Remarkably, Ludwig van Beethoven wrote but one violin concerto in his prodigious lifetime. While this alone makes the concerto special, it also has become one of the most widely played and popular works for the instrument. Under the spotlight for Pacific Symphony's first concert of 2018, the concerto is famous for its highly spirited final movement.

The work's grandeur-every bit as lush as any of his piano concertos-reveals the amazing melodic and technical range of the violin, especially when played by Taiwanese-Australian violinist, Ray Chen. The Washington Post declared: "Chen can do pretty much anything he wants on the violin." The orchestra also tackles Edward Elgar's regal Symphony No. 1, a work performed over 100 times within a year of its premiere. It was hailed by The Musical Times as an "immediate and phenomenal success."

Led by international guest conductor and British native Michael Francis, the Symphony's musical toast to the New Year takes place Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 11-13, at 8 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Tickets are $25-$126; Box Circle, $196-$206. A preview talk with Alan Chapman begins at 7 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit PacificSymphony.org