The new Flute concerto was written by Jonathan Leshoff, a young New Jersey composer who's making his mark with works described as 'richly tonal' and 'quite distinct.'
Jeffrey Khaner, Principal Flute, of the /*Philadelphia Orchestra*/ says, "It's a very romantic piece in a sense. It's very singing lines as well as brilliant technical aspects, so I thought it would be not only a great showcase for the flute but a really good vehicle of expressiveness."
The Vivaldi Flute Concerto in D Minor has been lost for 300 years and was only discovered last year in the National Archives of Scotland.
"So this is actually going to be a premiere of a Vivaldi concerto, which is quite something in 2011 to be playing a premiere of a Vivaldi concerto," said Khaner.
The program also includes Ravel's Rapsodie Espagnole, rich with the rhythms of Spain and Strauss' A Hero's Life, a somewhat autobiographical orchestral showpiece.
Khaner says, "This orchestra plays that repertoire so magnificently. It's going to be a great concert."
The concerts are March 4, 5th and 8th in the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall. Go to phil orch dot org for tickets and show times.
