‘From Russia With Love’ features Mukilteo violinist

Whidbey Island’s Own Saratoga Chamber Orchestra invites the community to “From Russia With Love,” a concert program of prominent Russian composers.

Whidbey Island’s Own Saratoga Chamber Orchestra invites the community to “From Russia With Love,” a concert program of prominent Russian composers.

The concerts will be held Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2:30 p.m. at Oak Harbor High School and Monday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. at South Whidbey High School in Langley.

The SCO, now celebrating its fifth anniversary under the artistic direction of conductor Legh W. Burns, will feature 13-year-old Mukilteo resident Lara Lewison, SCO’s Young Artists Competition Winner. She will perform Sergei Prokofiev’s “Violin Concerto #2 in G minor.”

The program also includes Tchaikovsky’s “Cossack Dance,” Rachmaninov’s “Vocalise” and the orchestral masterpiece “Capriccio Espagnol” by Rimsky-Korsakov.

“It promises to be one of the most exciting concerts we’ve ever done,” said Burns in a press release. “It has everything, from the quiet introspection of Rachmaninov’s ‘Vocalise’ to the heart-stopping brilliance of Rimsky Korsakov’s ‘Capriccio Espagnol.’ And, true to our mission, we’re pleased to feature Lara Lewison as our 2012 Young Artist Competition winner. It’s truly a concert not to be missed.”

Lewison has been studying violin since she was 3. She made her solo debut in 2010 with the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra and has appeared as soloist with the Academy Chamber Orchestra.

Her recent awards include winner of the Elementary Division in the 2010 Simon-Fiset Competition, second place in the Junior Division of Simon-Fiset for 2011, winner of the SCO Youth Concerto Competition, 2011, and winner of the Seattle Bach Festival violin division, 2011.

Lewison is in eighth grade at The Evergreen School.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and military and free for students 18 and under (under 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult).

Tickets are available at Moonraker Books in Langley, Book Bay in Freeland, Bayleaf in Coupeville and Oak Harbor and Click Music in Oak Harbor, or at the door.

For information, visit www.saratogachamberorchestra.org.