Violin Virtuoso Comes to Coral Gables

Rock Concerto at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden

Alexander Markov, one of the world’s most accomplished virtuoso violinists and passionate musical mentor to students across the world, will light up the lawn of the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden in Coral Gables with his critically acclaimed Rock Concerto on January 27, 2012. The concert will begin at 9:00pm following SpendforEd’s 1st Annual Gala supporting education. Markov, known for his masterful and dazzling performances, will debut his masterpiece to South Florida, which includes a variety of classical music followed by his original, musical epic – The Rock Concerto – featuring his six string, golden electric violin with lighted bow. Showcasing his world-class talent and technical skill, Markov brilliantly arranges and composes orchestrations to combine his love of classical and rock music into one musical experience.

The Rock Concerto has astounded audiences in sold-out arenas around the world. The performance is divided into two parts and explores the depth and diversity of his classical background and rock music expertise. In Part 1 of the performance, Markov will a present a variety of his Virtuoso Classical Masterpieces including Vivaldi and Schubert and his signature Paganini, with conductor Alfred Gershfeld. Part 1 will also include The New World School of the Arts Orchestra and renowned pianist, Heike Doerr. A Gold Medal winner at the Paganini International Violin Competition, Markov’s reputation for performing this romantic 19th-century repertoire is hailed as second-to-none. He has performed as a soloist with some of the world”s most celebrated orchestras and conductors. Markov”s thrilling, flawless performance guarantees to bring audiences to their feet.

Part 2 will introduce the new audience to his sophisticated and highly evolved piece of music featuring brand blending, innovative original compositions and a combination of melodic, rich harmonies of classical symphony with the Gothic sounds of a chorus and a rock-n-roll group. The Rock Concerto features renowned rock musicians Neal Coomer (Vocals), Ivan Bodley (Bass & Synth), Gregg Gerson (Drums) with the new addition of Juanito Pascual on Guitar, The New World School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra, and the students from The Gulliver Prep Academy & Coral Reef High School Chorus. An original composition by Alexander Markov and James V. Remington with lead vocal melodies and lyrics by Neal Coomer, The Rock Concerto brings classical and rock audiences together with tuneful melodies and breathtaking solos that open into a colorful, triumphant wall of sound.

Playing the world’s only gold-plated, electric violin and wielding a glowing, lighted bow, designed by co-composer James V. Remington, Markov leaves audiences breathless. The Rock Concerto is a richly textured work, years in the making, featuring the violin’s enormous range of tone and mood, from quiet and sweet, to playful and humorous, to dark, gothic and powerful. In Markov’s words, “The Rock Concerto is a musical fusion of contrasting classical elements, harmonies, melodies and counterpoints mixed with the contemporary sounds of rock n’ roll.”

Markov was inspired to create The Rock Concerto when he observed the decline in the number of young people attending classical concerts. The result is a body of work that attracts a young, rock music audience without alienating traditional classical music fans. By performing both this original, modern work and a classical Vivaldi and Schubert violin concerto in the same concert, he has created a unique concert experience that bridges the gap between classical and rock music fans of all ages.

Alexander Markov was born in Moscow, and studied violin with his father. By the time he was eight years old, he was already appearing as a soloist with orchestras and performing double concertos with his father. Markov grew up in Darien, Connecticut where his love affair with rock-n-roll began and eventually evolved into his Rock Concerto masterpiece. In 1987, he was awarded a prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant. Markov received his U.S. citizenship in 1982 and now resides in New York.

The Rock Concerto, sponsored by D’Addario, will be located at the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens – 10901 Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables, Florida 33156. Tickets are available online at www.spendfored.org or by calling 1-866-811-4111. Ticket prices range from $20 for GA Lawn Seating to $75 for Premium Orchestra seats. For more information about the Rock Concerto visit: www.rockconcerto.com.

About SpendforEd

SpendforED is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting education. By linking schools with businesses and the local community, SpendforED provides financial resources to fund new initiatives and support existing programs that help students find their strengths, realize their passions, and expand their possibilities.