Violin Virtuoso Goulding to Perform With Pasadena Symphony Saturday

Teen violin prodigy Caroline Goulding headline's the Pasadena Symphony's first concert of the new year Saturday at the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena.

The concert celebrates Brahms' "First Symphony," Sibelius’ "Violin Concerto," and "Apollo," an original piece composed by the symphony's Composer-in-Residence Peter Boyer.

Goulding, 19, will perform the Sibelius Violin Concerto, which contrasts the dark, dreamy and reflective with an air of passionate urgency. The music sensation racked up her first Grammy nomination at age 17 and is recognized as one of the most dynamic young performers on the scene.

"We are very excited for Caroline Goulding to be joining the Pasadena Symphony for our first concert of 2013," Symphony spokesman Ivan Schustak said. "She is one of the most talented young performers of her generation...We look forward to hearing her interpretation of Sibelius' demanding and beautiful Violin Concerto."

Goulding has performed as a soloist with several of North America’s greatest orchestras, including the Cleveland Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, Dallas Symphony and the National Symphony. She also snagged the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant.

IF YOU GO:

• What: Brahms and Sibelius with the Pasadena Symphony
• Guest Artists: Tito Muñoz, conductor and Caroline Goulding, violinist
• When: Saturday, Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Where: Ambassador Auditorium: 131 St. John Ave., Pasadena 91123
• Cost: Tickets start at $35. Call (626) 793-7172 or visit http://www.pasadenasymphony-pops.org/
• Parking: Valet on Green Street. Also, $10 parking is available adjacent to the theater in the Maranatha parking lots.

Take part in a pre-concert conversation with Pasadena Symphony Association CEO Paul Jan Zdunek and Guest Conductor Tito Muñoz. The conversation begins an hour before each concert on stage at the Ambassador Auditorium.