DAYTONA BEACH -- The Philharmonia of the Nations, founded in 1995 by pianist and conductor Justus Frantz, is made up of talented young musicians from more than 40 countries and five continents who compete to earn a place in the orchestra.
The multicultural ensemble, presented by the Daytona Beach Symphony Society, will make its first-ever visit to Peabody Auditorium at 7 p.m. Feb. 19.
Leonard Bernstein's credo "Let's make music as friends," is the motto and inspiration for the Philharmonia. The musicians include Serbs and Slovenians, Syrians and Israelis, Chinese, French, Russians and Italians, all making "music as friends."
The orchestra does not have a permanent home. Since its formation, the Philharmonia has performed more than 1,000 concerts around the world, including a state visit to China in 1996 and to New York, at the invitation of then-United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, to celebrate United Nations Day in 1998.
Two days after the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, the orchestra gave a concert in Hamburg, Germany to commemorate the victims. The Philharmonia of the Nations also has been the official orchestra for the Operalia, a choral competition organized by reknowned tenor Placido Domingo.
The evening's program features Gustav Mahler's most famous work, "Symphony No. 1 in D major," known as "The Titan." Audiences in Mahler's time didn't know what to make of his music. Today we're used to movies and television shows that careen from action-packed explosions to romance, from comedy to melodrama. But more than a century ago, when Mahler inserted folk melodies into his enormous symphonies, some listeners thought he was deranged.
Touring with the orchestra is one of the most sought-after pianists of his generation, Jon Nakamatsu. He is a frequent concerto soloist, chamber musician, and recording artist throughout the U.S., Europe and Japan. Initially brought to global attention in 1997 by being named Gold Medalist of the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Nakamatsu has subsequently appeared as soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl and the Boston Pops at Tanglewood. He will play the beautiful and passionate "Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor," written by composer Johannes Brahms when he was 25 years old.
In its 58th season, the Daytona Beach Symphony Society brings world-class orchestras and soloists, dance and opera from around the world to Daytona Beach.
If You Go
WHAT: Philharmonia of the Nations with pianist Jon Nakamatsu.
WHEN: 7 p.m., Feb. 19.
WHERE: Peabody Auditorium, 600 Auditorium Blvd.
COST: Ticket prices range from $34 to $59 and are available through Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or online at www.dbss.org.
INFO: For information, call the Daytona Beach Symphony Society at 386-253-2901.
