Works by Beethoven featured in Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra concert

Direct from the historic port city of Gdansk, the Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra presents a concert featuring the works of Beethoven at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 2 at Radford University’s Bondurant Auditorium in Preston Hall.

The Polish Baltic Philharmonic was founded in 1945 after the city obtained independence from the German annexation in WW II. The Philharmonic grew and developed as a symbol of national pride and identity as Gdansk became the center of opposition to the Communist Party rule in the later part of the 20th century.

Today this distinguished orchestra is the largest music institution in northern Poland. As it exists and thrives in the 21st century, the Philharmonic represents an amalgamation of international and historical influences (and the lofty passions that witnessed tragedy and drove revolutions) while still capturing the prideful stoicism of contemporary Poland and the larger Baltic Sea coast.

“We don’t often get the opportunity to bring a full orchestra to our community, much less an international ensemble with the reputation and renown of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic,” said Margaret Devaney, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Ernst Van Tiel, artistic director, and Boguslaw Dawidow, principal guest conductor, offers three Beethoven selections for the Feb. 2 concert. These include the “Egmont Overture, Op. 84” and “Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67.” Also on the program is “Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61,” featuring guest artist Emanuel Salvador. Programs and artists are subject to change without notice.

Born in 1981, Salvador has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in many important venues including St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Southwark Cathedral (London) and Philharmonic Hall (Uralsk - Kazakhstan). He was awarded several prizes such as: first prize at Isolde Menges (RCM) and Beckenham Festival competitions; Barbirolli Memorial and Wolfson Foundation Award; second prize at Jovens Músicos competition; and Honours Mention at Júlio Cardona International Competition in Portugal.

Tickets for the concert are on sale at radfordactivities.universitytickets.com or at Radford University’s Hurlburt Hall Information Desk 540-831-5420. Prices are $15 for the general public, $7.50 per child and those with Radford University IDs are free.

The performance starts at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2, at the Bondurant Auditorium at Preston Hall. For parking information, visit www.radford.edu/parking. To learn more about the College of Visual and Performing Arts, go to www.radford.edu/cvpa.

Columbia Artists Management Inc.’s Grossman Division is the management company providing the university with diverse entertainment such as the Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra