Akron Symphony’s March 15 Concert Goes All Beethoven
Concert To Feature Award-Winning Violinist, Feng Ning

Akron—The Akron Symphony will present Gold Medal Beethoven on Saturday, March 15 at 8:00 p.m. at E.J. Thomas Hall on the campus of The University of Akron. Music Director Christopher Wilkins will lead the Akron Symphony through three transcendent works from the legendary composer, including the Coriolan Overture and Symphony No. 4 in B-flat. Guest violinist and 2006 Paganini Gold Medalist Feng Ning will perform with the orchestra during Violin Concerto in D. Gold Medal Beethoven is the sixth Classic concert for the ASO and the penultimate for the 2007-2008 season.

Maestro Wilkins had originally wanted Feng Ning for a concert last season, but there were some problems. Wilkins explains:

I first worked with Feng Ning in New Zealand as part of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, which he eventually won. I was so taken with his musicianship and technical fluency that shortly thereafter I invited him to perform with the Akron Symphony. This was to have been during our 2006-2007 season, but due to visa issues we were unable to secure a date. When I approached him again this season, he accepted immediately and then asked gently whether I knew that he had just won the Paganini Competition. Attached to his e-mail was a photograph of Feng playing Paganini’s Stradivarius. It will be a privilege to present him to Akron.

Feng Ning
Violinist Feng Ning is the winner of dozens of prestigious prizes including most recently the famous Paganini Violin Competition in Italy (2006) and the Michael Hill International Violin Competition in New Zealand (2005).

After a master class with Lord Menhuin, he was immediately invited to play in Germany at one of the last concerts organized by the great maestro. He received the only perfect final exam score (100%) in the 200-year history of the Royal Academy of Music, London, and was made an associate of the Academy upon graduation.

Since winning the Paganini, he is in heavy demand the world over, including invitations to perform in Boston, New York, Tokyo, Rome, Berlin, and Beijing and from the Moscow International Performing Arts Centre and its president Vladimir Spivakov. An extensive 10-orchestra tour of Asia, Australia and New Zealand is planned for 2008.

Tickets
To purchase tickets or for more information, please call the Akron Symphony ticket office at 330.535.8131 or visit AkronSymphony.org. Single tickets for Gold Medal Beethoven start at $20 with discounts and specials for seniors, students, and groups of ten or more. Student rush tickets are also available at the E.J. Thomas box office a half hour before the concert begins for $5.

Support
Gold Medal Beethoven is sponsored by Guy & Renee Pipitone, in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Ray H. Sandefur. Feng Ning’s appearance is in memory of Dr. John C. Kyle, M.D. A post concert reception is sponsored by Project Digital. PBS 45 & 49 is the Akron Symphony’s official Classic Series media partner, along with WKSU-FM and Akron Life & Leisure magazine.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Akron Symphony with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The University of Akron also supports the Akron Symphony and its programs.

Mark Your Calendars
Saturday, March 15, 2008 – Gold Medal Beethoven
E.J. Thomas Hall, The University of Akron – 8:00 p.m.
Akron Symphony Orchestra
BEETHOVEN – Coriolan Overture
BEETHOVEN – Symphony No. 4 in B-flat
BEETHOVEN – Violin Concerto in D
Christopher Wilkins, conductor
Feng Ning, violin
7:00 p.m. – Preview from the Podium with Christopher Wilkins
Tickets available $20-$40; call 330-535-8131 or log on to ticketmaster.com

Artist biographies and photos are available in digital format by visiting the Akron Symphony Press Room at www.AkronSymphony.org. This online resource offers journalists and the public access to the latest information about the Akron Symphony, including archived news releases, downloadable high-resolution photos and media kit materials.

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