The Hartford Symphony Orchestra opens its new season this weekend. The season’s debut is dubbed “New World Visions” and is part of the Masterworks Series at the bushnell.
The season opener features violinist Caroline Goulding , who will solo during the HSO’s performance of “Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1.”
“Bruch’s Violin Concerto in G minor has been popular since the premiere of its revised version by the well-known violinist Joseph Joachim in 1867,” explained Goulding in an email to the Observer. “It innately expresses virtuosity, and heart-wrenching lyricism which I feel is one reason why it has become one of the staples of the violin concerto repertoire.”
“When I dream of this piece,” said Goulding. “I feel instantly the qualities of determination to prevail over life’s tragedies with heroism and courage, deep burning love penetrating straight from the heart, and simple joy. What more could a listener wish for?”
Goulding, she explained, has been playing violin since she was a toddler.
“I first began playing when I was 3 1/2 and my inspirations were my brothers who were at the time playing the saxophone and trumpet in their school,” said Goulding. “Since then, I have been passionate grateful to play music for a living. It is utterly glorious to be able to do what you love every day, and to peek inside the souls of past and present human beings by attempting to express what they felt and articulated so brilliantly through their own compositions. Not only does it shed light on one’s own inner experience, but it also finds a way to connect one to others in the past, present and perhaps future.”
Goulding added, “I can confirm that in my own experience-sharing music is definitely one of the most intimate and healing formats of human connection that there is.”
The HSO opening concert also includes performances of John Adams’s Shaker Loops and Dvořák Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, From the New World.
New World Visions continues through Sunday with performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Belding Theater at the Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford. Tickets start at at $38; $10 for students with ID. For more information, call (860)987-5900 or www.hartfordsymphony.org