The National Symphonic Orchestra hosts virtuoso American violinist Philippe Quint as guest soloist this Friday, March 3, and again on Sunday, March 5, in the first 2017 Season concert at the National Theater, said the orchestra.

The OSN returns to San José’s glorious rennaissance theater under the baton of Conductor Carl St. Clair, who has led the group since 2014.

Philippe Quint, who has won Grammy nominations for his recordings of Korngold and William Schuman, will perform the Concerto in D Major for Violin and Orchestra Op. 35 by the famous Russian composer Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky.

The concerto is considered one of the most technically difficult works for violin.

Violinist Philippe Quint, is one of the world’s top classical soloists. Known for his lyricism, poetry, and impeccable virtuosity, Quint has captured the eyes and ears of audiences throughout the world. The London Times has recognized Quint for his “bravery, technique and untiring energy,” said the OSN.

St. Clair’s international career has including guest directing the Radio Symphonieorchester (Stuggart Radio Symphony) from 1998-2004, where he recorded all of Villa-Lobos’ symphonies. He has also directed orchestras in Israel, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South America, and is current seasonal director of the Pacific Symphony en Santa Ana, California.

In North America, St. Clair has directed the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and many others.

This kick-off concert will include other Russian works including the Ruslan and Liudmila Overture by Mihaíl Glinka, and Pictures at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky.

“Our first season program consists of well-known and popular works of the universal repertoire such as the Ruslán Overture and Liudmila, a brilliant, beautiful, cheerful piece, just to start the presentation; later we continue with nothing more and nothing less than Tchaikovsky’s concerto for violin with a great soloist like Philipe Quint, who I am sure will provide an excellent interpretation of one of the works most liked by the public,” said José Aurelio Castillo, the OSN concertmaster.

Tickets are on sale at the National Theater box office and also via their website, and range from 4 to 18 thousand colones, which are the same prices as the previous two seasons. Half-price tickets are available for students and seniors with valid i.d. (these tickets must be purchased in person).

On Friday at 7:00 p.m., there will be a pre-concert talk about the works in the Foyer of the National Theater led by Aurora Sáenz. Admission to the talk is free, but seating is limited.

The orchestra’s 2017 Season under St. Clair  will include six concerts with world renowned soloists.

Born in Russia, violinist Quint studied at the Russian Special School for Gifted People in Moscow under the tutelage of violinist Andrei Korsakov. At the age of 9 he made his debut with Wieniawski Concerto No. 2. He then immigrated to the United States where he completed his musical studies and master’s degree at the Juilliard School of Music. At Juilliard he studied under masters Isaac Stern and Itzhak Perlman, among others, said the OSN.