American Debuts

Update 3/10/24:

Accomplished, renown Latin violinist Jesús Florido, slated to debut with the Paragon Philharmonia on Sunday, March 10 at Grace Church Episcopal in The Plains, VA and at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater on Saturday, March 16, suddenly fell ill and is hospitalized.

Last minute replacement for Jesús Florido at both upcoming performances will be Italian violinist Diana LeGrand, former concertmaster and soloist of the Pan American Symphony Orchestra, current violinist of the Tony nominated Broadway show Forever Tango and a 2021 Latin Grammy nominated Artist in the category of Best Tango Album. LeGrand is also Paragon’s concertmaster.

Florido’s much anticipated appearance was to include the American premiere of Claudia Montero’s Violin Concerto for Strings and the World premiere of Grammy-nominated Colombian composer Juan Camilo Arboleda’s Poema en cuatro tiempos on Paragon Philharmonia’s American Debuts program. LeGrand will perform both pieces on the concert which also includes works by Stravinsky and Schubert, conducted by Paragon’s Artistic Director Miriam Burns. 

Stravinsky - Concerto in Eb (Dumbarton Oaks)  

Claudia Montero - Violin Concerto (American Premiere)

Juan Arboleda - "Poema En Cuatro Tiempos" for Violin and Strings (World Premiere)

Schubert - Symphony No. 5 in Bb   

This concert will last approximately 75 minutes and will include a short intermission.

It is our pleasure to introduce two brand new pieces on this program, one a world premiere and the other an American premiere, both featuring Venezuelan violinist Jesus Florido. 

Argentinian composer Claudia Montero (1962-2021) was a four-time Latin GRAMMY award winner. Her Violin Concerto features the vibrant tango rhythms and melodies that create the indisputable "Buenos Aires" sound found in her compositions. Paragon Philharmonia is also thrilled to partner with Jesus Florido to present the world premiere of "Poema En Cuatro Tiempos" by GRAMMY-nominated Colombian composer Juan Alboreda.

The Stravinsky Chamber Concerto in Eb also had its world premiere here in Washington DC some 85 years ago, nicknamed “Dumbarton Oaks Concerto” since its private debut was in the music room of the historic Dumbarton Oaks estate in Georgetown; residence of US diplomat Robert Woods Bliss and his wife, Mildred Barnes Bliss. Nadia Boulanger conducted the premiere since Stravinsky had contracted tuberculosis. Stravinsky was greatly influenced by the Brandenburg Concerti of J. S. Bach, and this piece is a prime example of his neoclassical style.

Unmistakably influenced by the music of Mozart, particularly the 40th Symphony featured earlier in our season, Schubert’s delightful 5th Symphony closes the program.

Please join the Maestra Burns and the musicians of Paragon Philharmonia and Grace Church for hors d'oeuvres and drinks following the performance!

Tickets may also be purchased with check. Please Include title of concert in memo line. Mail to:

Paragon Philharmonia

c/o Stephanie Flack

3437 Austin Ct.

Alexandria, VA 22310