Concert featuring guest conductor and violinist, Yuriy Bekker

AMARILLO, TEXAS – (January 11, 2016) – The Amarillo Symphony, (www.amarillosymphony.org, the leader of orchestral music in the Texas Panhandle since 1924, announces upcoming Dvorak’s “New World,” plus: THE FOUR SEASONS concert featuring guest conductor and violinist, Yuriy Bekker on January 22 and 23 at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts.

Yuriy Bekker, violinist and conductor, has led the Charleston Symphony Orchestra as concertmaster since 2007 and was recently named the Director of Chamber Orchestra. The city of Charleston recently presented Bekker with the Outstanding Artistic Achievement Award to honor his cultural contributions to the city. Yuriy Bekker has performed worldwide as a celebrated guest concertmaster, avid chamber musician, and critically-acclaimed soloist.

To begin he concert, guest conductor and violinist, Yuriy Bekker alongside the Amarillo Symphony will perform Astor Piazzolla’s Four for Tango, a passionate rhythmic work that will make you dance in your seats. To concert will continue with performances of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Dvorak’s New World Symphony.

“I am thrilled to return to Amarillo. I truly enjoyed working with Maestro Bairos and this fine Orchestra when I was here as guest concertmaster a few years ago,” said Yuriy Bekker, concertmaster of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. “Now, I am honored to have the opportunity to conduct and solo with these talented musicians. Our program will be exciting and fun and offers something for everyone. We will open with Astor Piazzolla’s Four for Tango, a passionate rhythmic work that will cause everyone to dance in their seats. We will continue the program with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, I absolutely love performing this work. From Spring to Winter, every note of his music is sublime. For the second half of the program I will trade my violin for a baton to conduct the ever-popular New World Symphony by Dvorak. A native Czech, Dvorak often utilized Czech folk songs in his music, but this work was inspired by his time living in the United States, drawing on Native American music and African American spirituals. The New World Symphony really showcases Dvorak’s compositional style and the tremendous beauty of his music. I can’t wait for this wonderful collaboration with the Amarillo Symphony!”

Dvorak’s “New World,” plus: THE FOUR SEASONS will be held at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23 at 7:30 pm. Single tickets are available for $19, $34 or $49. For more information about Dvorak’s “New World,” plus: THE FOUR SEASONS or to purchase tickets, please visit www.amarillosymphony.org or call 806-376-8782.

The 2015 – 2016 season is sponsored in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts. Learn more about the Amarillo Symphony at www.amarillosymphony.org.