American Debuts at the Kennedy Center

Miriam Burns, conductor

Jesus Florido, violin

Stravinsky - Concerto in Eb (Dumbarton Oaks)

Claudia Montero - Violin Concerto (American Premiere)

Juan Arboleda - Cuatro Poemas (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 Cuatro Poemas 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.