The Western New York Chamber Orchestra (WNYCO), a professional ensemble-in-residence at Fredonia, will feature guest violin soloists Michael and Rachael Ludwig in its “Chords and Cords” concert on Sunday, April 3, at 4 p.m. in King Concert Hall.
The Ludwigs, also newlyweds, will perform J.S. Bach’s famous Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor, BWV 1043, as well as a work composed by WNYCO Artistic Director Glen Cortese, Concerto for String Quartet and String Orchestra, which was originally commissioned by the American String Quartet.
Also to be featured is the Fredonia Women's Choir, conducted by Dr. Vernon Huff, performing Michael Haydn's “Missa Sancti Aloysii” with guest vocal soloist sopranos Lucille Horn, a Fredonia School of Music senior; graduate student Marie Karbacka, and mezzo soprano junior Meredith Smietana.
There is free admission for students for the April 3 King Concert Hall performance (with student ID, or accompanied by an adult for school aged children), with $22 adult tickets available by contacting the Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center at 716-673-3501 or at the door.
The concert will also be performed on Friday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 724 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, and admission is free.
Michael Ludwig is very familiar with Western New York audiences as Concertmaster of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra for many years. He returns as guest soloist regularly and his recording of the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the BPO and Conductor Jo Ann Falletta has recently been released. Mr. Ludwig boasts a worldwide reputation and has soloed with such notable orchestras as the Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Boston Pops, and the Seoul and Beijing symphony orchestras. He has recorded on the NAXOS label with the London Symphony and Royal Scottish Orchestra.
Rachael Ludwig boasts her own active resume including performing as a violinist with the Philly Pops, Delaware Symphony, and Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and has made appearances with pop music icons Rod Stewart and Peter Gabriel. An active chamber musician, Ms. Ludwig was a winner at the 2007 Silberman Chamber Music Festival.
