SFCC Artist Series: Czech Symphony Orchestra January 29, 2009

Spend an evening with The Czech Symphony Orchestra at the South Florida Community College Auditorium, Highlands Campus, Thursday, Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m. as this extraordinary orchestra of 67 musicians brings some of the world's most beloved and well-known classical music to Avon Park.

One of the highlights of this delightful event will be the performance of Rachmaninov's "Piano Concerto No. 2" in C minor. A favorite of many concert-goers, this work features the theme that was used for the popular song "All By Myself" made popular by Eric Carmen and later by Celine Dion. The program also features two other popular works, Smetana's "The Moldau" and Dvorak's "Symphony No. 9 in E minor (From the New World)."

The soloist for this performance is pianist Derek Han, a talented Julliard School alumnus who has performed with many orchestras including the Moscow Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic, the Berlin Symphony, the Netherlands Symphony, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic.

The Czech Symphony Orchestra, also known as The Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra of Ostrava, was established in 1954 and arose from the Czech Radio Orchestra. In a short time it became one of the foremost symphony orchestras in the country. Since its first tour abroad in 1958, the Czech Symphony Orchestra has performed throughout most of Europe, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

These acclaimed musicians are led by conductor Theodore Kuchar. Classics Today wrote "Theodore Kuchar is an extremely exciting and talented conductor, and his take-no-prisoners approach works very well in this colorful music."

The performance is sponsored by Mary Ellen Ward, Marcia Ward, and Heartland National Bank.

Tickets range from $26 to $37 and may be purchased online http://performances.southflorida.edu 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tickets may also be purchased Monday - Friday, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. by calling the SFCC Box Office at (863) 784-7178 or by visiting the SFCC Box Office located at the SFCC Auditorium, 600 West College Drive, Highlands Campus, Avon Park.

Official Website: http://www.performances.southflorida.edu