Young Violinist, New Orchestral Piece Inaugurate New Symphony Season

The Spokane Symphony opens its new season tonight in the Opera House with a bright young soloist, 17-year-old violinist Tamaki Kawakubo, and with “Bright Wings,” a new orchestral work by Dan Welcher. Kawakubo will play Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto and conductor Fabio Mechetti will lead the orchestra in Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8.

The program will be repeated Sunday afternoon in Coeur d’Alene at the North Idaho College Schuler Auditorium.

Kawakubo grew up in Los Angeles where, as a 5-year-old, she began violin lessons. She has already performed with major orchestras, made several television appearances and appeared in a cameo role in the film “For the Boys.”

Welcher’s music has received numerous awards and has been recorded by soloists such as mezzo-soprano Jan DeGaetani and groups such as the Louisville Symphony.

The concert tonight begins at 8; the concert Sunday in Coeur d’Alene begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $13.50 to $28.50 for the Spokane concert, $17.50 and $15.50 for the Coeur d’Alene concert, available at the Symphony boxoffice in the Seafirst Building downtown, 624-1200, G&B outlets, 325-SEAT; and at the NIC box office for the Coeur d’Alene concert.

, DataTimes