VERO BEACH — In Ecuadorian-Spanish cello sensation and a Taiwanese-born, Philadelphia-based pianist will come together in a single performance sponsored by the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach on Thursday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m.
Cellist Francisco Vila-Haas, who was born in Ecuador, grew up on the Space Coast and now resides in Denmark, will join pianist Steven Lin for Summer of Love, a concert of romantic-themed classics at the church located at 520 Royal Palm Blvd., in Vero Beach.
Accepted by The Juilliard School on a full scholarship at the age of 10, Steven Lin is well-known internationally as an interpreter of keyboard works by Schumann and is a Silver Medal winner of the coveted Arthur Rubinstein Piano Competition.
Vila-Haas is co-founder of Ecuador’s Festival International de Música de Esmeraldas as well as principal cellist with Denmark’s Aalborg Symphony Orchestra. Francisco Vila-Haas and Steven Lin will perform individually as well as together during a program that offers famous pieces from the repertoire for cello and piano.
The audience will first hear Vila-Haas’ interpretation of Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1; one of the most recognizable solo compositions ever written for cello. It includes the famous ‘Prelude’ that demonstrates the genius of Bach and makes the most of the emotional depth of a solo cello, using a wide range of complex playing techniques.
Lin then takes the stage to perform Beethoven’s “Waldstein” Sonata, a thrilling work from Beethoven’s middle-period and considered one of the composer’s greatest and most technically challenging piano sonatas.
The pair will then present works by Dvorak, Saint Saens, Davidoff, and more, in what promises to be a captivating program featuring two of this generation’s most exciting young musicians.
Summer of Love $20 advance tickets for adults are available through the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra website at www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or by calling toll free to 855-252-7276. Tickets at the door are $25. The concert is free for those aged 18 and under or with a student ID.
For 30-year-old Francisco Vila-Haas, performing again in East Central Florida is literally like coming home.
“This trip is especially enjoyable for me, since I grew up in Brevard and I’m here visiting family, said Vila-Haas, a graduate of Eau Gallie High School. “Steven Lin is a renowned pianist and we are both looking forward to performing together for the first time. We are also immensely grateful to Aaron Collins and the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra for sponsoring this performance.”
While in Florida, the duo will also perform at 7:30 p.m. at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Indialantic on Aug. 11.
Visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call toll free to 855-252-7276 for more information.
