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The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra presents Masterworks Concert “Russian Classics” on Saturday, May 4th, 7:30 PM at the Wilson Center.  Program includes Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite (1945), the Ballet Suite for Orchestra. Also on the concert will be a composition by conductor Steven Errante, Violin Concerto, which will be the premiere of this work featuring violinist Steven Bjella, and Glinka’s Russlan and Ludmilla Overture.

Steven Bjella has performed throughout the United States, appearing both as soloist and in a variety of chamber ensembles.  He has performed on numerous commercial recordings and was concertmaster of the Chicago Chamber Orchestra and Chicago Light Opera Orchestra.  He holds degrees in performance and music education from the University of Iowa, where he studied with Leopold LaFosse and the Stradivari Quartet.  He has served on the faculty of Valparaiso University and Saint Xavier College, and was a member of the Governor’s State University String Quartet, and contemporary music ensembles, Chicago Camerata and Loop Group.  Steve joined the music faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1991 and holds the positions of Artist/Teacher of Violin and Professor of Music. An active performer and teacher, he has written two books on violin technique, Beginning Repertoire for the Advanced Violinist and Scales and Arpeggios, Block Fingering Exercises for the Advanced Violinist, and given master-classes at colleges and high-schools across the country.  He also enjoys making music with his colleagues in the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra and is concertmaster of the orchestra.

Stravinsky recorded his Firebird Suite (1945) in 1967 which was his last commercial recording for Columbia Records.  The orchestra chord that opens the Infernal Dance section was often used in music throughout the 1980s and 1990s, specifically in the new jack swing genre originated by former members of Minneapolis music group The Time, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Janet Jackson with her studio album, Control in 1986.  An excerpt from end of the ballet has also been used by the progressive rock band Yes as their "walk-on" music in concert since 1971.

TICKETS: WilmingtonSymphony.org or 910-362-7999