Barber, Adagio for Strings
Vasks,Toward a Distant Light
Grieg, Holberg Suite
The string section of the Wilmington Symphony is showcased in the fragile and emotional beauty of Samuel Barber's masterpiece for strings, considered by many to be the most recognizable of America concert music (while also being the highest selling classical piece on iTunes). Edvard Grieg's Holberg Suite celebrates the birth anniversary of the Danish Norweigian playwright, and its charming neo-classical style is equal to his more famous Peer Gynt. Danijela Žeželj-Gualdi returns to the solo spotlight for the area premiere of Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks' haunting violin concerto Toward a Distant Light.
Violinist Danijela Žeželj-Gualdi Returns to the Solo Spotlight
The Wilmington Symphony string section will be showcased in the fragile beauty of Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings, and in Edvard Grieg’s Holberg Suite. Danijela Žeželj-Gualdi returns to the solo spotlight for the area premiere of Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks’ haunting violin concerto Toward a Distant Light, in which elegant string passages surrender to stirring violin solos. Also being performed will be one of conductor Steven Errante's compositions — Andante cantabile from his Serenade.
Conductor, Steven Errante says of these works, “If you like Barber's famous Adagio, then you'll appreciate the intensity of the Vasks violin concerto, which is ideally suited Danijela Žeželj-Gualdi's dramatic performing personality.”
Adagio for Strings has been featured in many film and television scores such as Platoon, Band of Brothers, and Big Love, and was the highest selling classical piece on i-Tunes in 2006. Although not as famous at Grieg’s Peer Gynt, many critics regard Holberg Suite to be of the same caliber.
Born in Croatia, Danijela Žeželj-Gualdi began studying violin at an early age. By eleven, she became the youngest member of the Zadar Chamber Orchestra. In 1998 she graduated from the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad, Serbia and became a member of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra. One year later she was granted a full scholarship to the Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where she graduated with her Masters Degree in 2001. In 2006, she received her doctoral degree in Violin Performance from the University of Georgia. She has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe, including performances at Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center. She currently lives in Wilmington with husband and pianist Paolo André Gualdi, and teaches violin and viola at UNCW.
To get the best seat, order in advance by calling the Kenan Auditorium Ticket Office at 962-3500, or online at here. Single tickets are $27, $25 and $6 for youth and are available by contacting the Kenan Auditorium Ticket Office by calling 962-3500 or 800-732-3643.
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For the holidays the Wilmington Symphony presents a fully staged performance of Menotti’s Amahl & the Night Visitors, and in February will present “A Change is Gonna Come” to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Bill with songs of the era and readings from Dr. Martin Luther King’s work.
In March the symphony will perform its annual Symphony Pops! concert featuring Broadway veterans Amy & Ben Wright with sparkling selections from Broadway’s songbook. Amy made her debut in the Tony-nominated musical State Fair, and can be heard on the cast album. Ben originated the role of Jack in the Tony and Grammy award winning musical Into the Woods. Finally, in April the season finale showcases Mozart’s Symphony No. 25, the wistful melodies of Martinů’s Concerto for Oboe and Small Orchestra, and Respighi’s The Fountains of Rome.
