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"Suliman Plays Tchaikovsky" Symphony Season Ender

The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra closes out its ninth season closes with three powerful works, including Kenneth Fuch's opening piece Atlantic Riband, inspired by the SS United States‘ record-breaking maiden voyage.

Atlantic Riband evokes the struggle and ultimate victory of ocean-crossing immigrants to America in an orchestral showpiece of power and struggle.  Superstar violinist Suliman Tekalli returns to Florida to perform Tchaikovsky’s masterful Violin Concerto in D major, written in 1878 and one of the best known violin concertos in the repertoire. 

Suliman Plays Tchaikovsky will be presented at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 26 at the Scott Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne and at 3 p.m. on Sunday May 27 and at the Vero Beach High School for the Performing Arts.

Characterized by beautiful passages, graceful melodies, and dizzying virtuosity, this masterpiece has spoken heart-to-heart to generations of adoring audiences.   The concert closes with Shostakovich’s stirring Symphony No. 5. Shostakovich called his Fifth Symphony ‘a Soviet artist’s creative response to just criticism’. Like everything in Stalin’s Russia though, the reality was a bit more complicated, and the music is a lot more stunning. Profoundly sad, it's a grand work of huge climaxes, triumphant marches, and exhilarating brass. One of the 20th century’s most powerful works, the symphony conveys an indomitable spirit and remains his most popular.   

"We have had many talented guest performers over nine seasons," said Collins. "But I have to say that Suliman is my absolute favorite musician to collaborate with.  We have similar musical sensibilities and I can feel the connection when working with him.  His effortless playing makes him a real joy to watch and listen to."

A native of Daytona Beach, Florida and a current resident of New York City, Tekalli was admitted to  Juilliard at the age of 17 and received a masters degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music.  The award-winning Tekalli has performed on stages all over the world and is well-known to SCSO audiences as one half of the Tekalli Duo, frequently concertizing with his pianist sister, Jamila.  Top prize winner of the 2015 Seoul International Competition, Suliman performs on a 1683 Stradivarius violin on loan through the Stradivari Society.

Don't miss this epic season closer.

Tickets are  $20 in advance tickets for adults are available through the orchestra website at http://www.spacecoastsymphony.org or at the beachside and mainland branches of Marine Bank & Trust. Tickets at the door are $25.  Suliman Plays Tchaikovsky is free for those aged 18 and under or with a student ID.  For more information, call toll free to 855-252-7276 or visit   http://www.spacecoastsymphony.org