Violin artwork to be auctioned off at Nov. 12 gala benefit
 “Ecoutez Moi” by Mountain View artist Michael Pauker and “Nero’s Fiddle” by Janice Peacock are among 10 painted violins that will be auctioned off during the Peninsula Symphony’s Nov. 12 gala. The symphony’s season begins Oct. 21 and features pianist Jon Nakamatsu. |
The Peninsula Symphony opens its 57th season Oct. 21 and Oct. 22 with works by Wagner, Beethoven and Mahler, and features a performance by contemporary pianist and Sunnyvale native Jon Nakamatsu.
The program includes Wagner’s Prelude to Act III of “Lohengrin,” Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, Op. 58, featuring Nakamatsu, and Mahler’s “Titan” Symphony No. 1 in D major.
Nakamatsu rose to fame in 1997 after winning the gold medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, the first American to win the event since 1981.
A former high-school German teacher, Nakamatsu recently performed at Carnegie Hall, the White House and with numerous symphony orchestras around the world.
The Peninsula Symphony performs 8 p.m. Oct. 21 at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center and 8 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Flint Center in Cupertino. Tickets are $32 for adults and $27 for students and seniors.
Meanwhile, the symphony’s Nov. 12 gala fund-raiser will feature a live auction of 10 painted violins created by prominent local artists. These unique artworks were on display at Zyt Gallery in Los Altos last month.
The fund-raiser, “Swing Fever,” is scheduled for 6-11 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City. There will be a 12-piece swing band for entertainment.
For more information, call 941-5291 or visit www.peninsulasymphony.org.
