‘Mendelssohn Goes Italian’ January 29th
‘Mendelssohn Goes Italian’ January 29th
Spotlight will shine on Space Coast Symphony Concertmaster Igor Markstein
(Merritt Island, FL) January 15, 2011 – The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra will present “Mendelssohn Goes Italian,” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 29th at the First Baptist Church, 140 Magnolia Avenue in Merritt Island. During the two-hour program, the 65-piece orchestra under Conductor Aaron Collins will traverse the musical landscape of Romantic era composer, Felix Mendelssohn. Space Coast Symphony concertmaster and international virtuoso Igor Markstein will perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, universally regarded as one of the greatest violin concertos of all time. The picturesque and very popular Italian Symphony as well as the mischievous incidental music to Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream will complete the all-Mendelssohn program. $10 tickets may be reserved or purchased in advance online at www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org, at the offices of Blue Sky Insurance in Cocoa Village and Tropical Realty of Suntree, or by calling (321) 536-8580. Tickets purchased at the door will be $15; aged 18 and under admitted free.
The Space Coast Symphony’s young conductor, Aaron Collins, thinks “Mendelssohn Goes Italian” will hold some surprises for the audience.
"This all-Mendelssohn concert is full of fantastic themes,” said Collins. “His music really speaks to the soul. In addition, we are very excited to showcase a local legend in our concertmaster, Igor Markstein. People will know they have witnessed something important after his performance of the Violin Concerto in E minor."
“Mendelssohn Goes Italian” marks the fifth of eight subscription events planned by the Space Coast Symphony through March 2011. The non-profit group’s ambitious conductor also plans dozens of ensemble performances throughout Brevard with various musicians from the orchestra. For more information about the 2010-2011 performing Season or the “Mendelssohn Goes Italian” concert, please visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call (321) 536-8580.
ABOUT THE SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA— The SCSO is a lively and passionate Central Florida professional-level orchestra comprised of professional musicians and select youth players. The symphony performs in a very comfortable venue at the First Baptist Church in Merritt Island, with advance general admission tickets priced at just $10. School aged children are admitted free of charge. The Orchestra was formed to provide mentoring and performance opportunities for the finest youth musicians as well as to expose a broad cross section of the community to quality programming at affordable prices. 25% of the orchestra’s audience base cites their experience with the Space Coast Symphony as their first orchestral experience. The ultimate goal of the organization is to help ensure the symphonic tradition for the enjoyment of future generations. Relying on a non-traditional orchestra model and a slim budget, the non-profit group performs year-round in addition to providing dozens of separate and free ensemble performances. More information about the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concerts, ticket sales, venue, directions and sponsorship opportunities is available at http://www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or by calling (321) 536-8580. *Special concerts and co-productions may be differently priced, check website for details.
ABOUT IGOR MARKSTEIN, VIOLINIST - Igor Markstein was born in Germany and raised in Israel. As a teenager, he studied violin with Ilona Feher and chamber music with Oedoen Partos at the Academy of Music, University of Tel Aviv, of which he is a graduate. Mr. Markstein holds both Bachelor and Master degrees in music performance from Northern Illinois University where he studied violin with Shmuel Ashkenasi and chamber music with members of the Vermeer Quartet.
Formerly, Mr. Markstein has served as Concertmaster of the Atlantic Classical Symphony, the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, and was Assistant Concertmaster with the Thunder Bay Symphony in Ontario. He has also performed with various orchestras including the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Orlando Philharmonic, Florida Orchestra, Space Coast Pops, and Music Orlando. He has been a Violin Instructor at the University of Central Florida and served as Director of Music at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Canada. Currently, Mr. Markstein is Concertmaster with the Space Coast Symphony, has his own private studio, and teaches violin at Brevard Community College. More information about Igor Markstein is available on his website at www.IgorMarkstein.com.
