SoNA to perform ‘Phoenix Ascending’ featuring piano virtuoso Heather Schmidt

Photo: Courtesy, SoNA

The next performance by Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA) will feature virtuoso pianist and composer Heather Schmidt.

Schmidt, appearing as a guest artist this month, will perform with the orchestra during a performance titled Phoenix Ascending on Saturday, Jan. 22 at Walton Arts Center.

The Canadian pianist who began who began studying music at age 4 has performed in Russia, Finland, Iceland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic, England, Cyprus, Mexico, Brazil, and the British West Indies over her career. She and the orchestra will perform Schmidt’s own Concerto No. 4 Phoenix Ascending, along with Sibelius’ 2nd Symphony, and Marquez’ Danzon No. 2.

Heather Scmhidt / Photo: Courtesy, SoNA

SoNA will once again perform under the direction of SoNA Music Director, Maestro Paul Haas.

“Sibelius’ 2nd Symphony is one of my favorite pieces to conduct and to listen to. It’s a fresh, raw, and powerful beauty – one that leaves me changed each time I hear it,” Haas said in a press release about the upcoming performance. “Marquez’s Danzón No. 2 is an iconic piece of music widely cherished in Mexico, in the U.S., hardly anyone knows it. wW hope that’s about to change. This work is a fantastic ride through the Mexican sound world and is absolutely thrilling to listen to and experience.”

Haas said that audiences in attendance next month are in for a treat.

“I’m lucky enough to count Heather Schmidt as a friend and colleague, and I know our audience is going to love her stage presence and her astonishing piano concerto,” he said.

Tickets to the show range from $35-$57, and are on sale now at waltonartscenter.org.

For more information, including a schedule of upcoming SoNA performances, visit sonamusic.org.