Photo: Grittani Creative
The Asheville Symphony kicks off its 2024-2025 season with two extraordinary September events, both featuring the acclaimed violinist Alexi Kenney.
Known for his innovative programming and captivating performances, Kenney will bring his unique artistry to the stage at the First Baptist Church of Asheville.
Violin Recital: Shifting Ground
On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 7 p.m., Kenney will perform his solo recital, Shifting Ground. This recital weaves together solo violin pieces and violin/electronics, blending the timeless works of J.S. Bach with contemporary compositions by Rafiq Bhatia, Matthew Burtner, Mario Davidovsky, and others. Shifting Ground explores the mystical and spiritual realms through music, presenting a program that flows with dramatic arc and scope.
Kenney has also commissioned two new works for this project by composers Salina Fisher and Angélica Negrón. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, “To every Bach offering, Kenney…brought piercing insight and a masterful sense of voicing. Vertically, horizontally, altogether: the music cohered and shone in every direction.”
Masterworks 1: Echoes
On Saturday, September 21, 2024, the Asheville Symphony’s Masterworks Series will launch with Masterworks 1: Echoes. The concert features performances at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Conducted by Music Director Darko Butorac, the program delves into themes of nostalgia and emotional depth. The evening begins with Grażyna Bacewicz’s WWII-era Overture for Orchestra, followed by Sibelius’s poignant Violin Concerto performed by Alexi Kenney. The concert concludes with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, a sun-soaked reflection of nature and happier times.
Alexi Kenney is known for a career that defies categorization, seamlessly blending experimental programs with traditional solo performances. He has appeared with major orchestras such as the Cleveland Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, and Detroit…
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