Bohemian blend

Maestro Steven Kerstein thought about geography when choosing the program for tonight’s Burbank Philharmonic Orchestra concert.

The two pieces that will be featured are Johannes Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77 and Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8 in G Major Op. 88.

It’s a good pairing, Kerstein said, because Brahms is a German composer and Dvorak is Czech.

“Many of the composers who lived close to each other, their style of music was similar also,” he said. “And the last movement of Brahms’ Violin Concerto is a festive dance type of movement, and much of Dvorak’s symphonies have dance themes in them, too.”

Economics was also a factor, the conductor added.

“The orchestra members are similar in both pieces,” he said.

“We don’t have to add musicians such as a harp or extraneous percussion instruments. It helps with the budgeting.”

In keeping with the evening’s Bohemian theme, the philharmonic’s special guest attending the concert is Daniel Kumermann, consul general of the Czech Republic in Los Angeles, Kerstein said.

“He’ll be saying a few words to the audience, as will Mayor Marsha Ramos,” Kerstein said. “Kumermann is coming to hear the Dvorak piece. Dvorak is the most beloved composer of the Czech Republic.”

It should also please the Burbank audience, Kerstein added, because so many people who regularly attend the concerts have a Czech background.

For Brahms’ Violin Concerto, the guest soloist is Kathryn Eberle, who was the grand prize winner of the Philharmonic’s annual Hennings-Fischer Young Artists’ Competition held in February. Eberle played Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto.

Her superb delivery of that should easily be repeated in Brahms’ Violin Concerto, Kerstein said.

“I think she’ll do very well,” he said. “She’s a very gifted player and passionate about her music. The title of our first concert of the season is ‘Opening Night Knockouts,’ and I think the audience will be knocked out at listening to her spectacular performance.”

Equally enchanted by her competition performance in February was Lynda Willner, president of the philharmonic’s board of the directors.

“We’re so proud to be able to support a competition that showcases talent such as Kathryn’s,” she said.

“I heard her, and she was incredible. She’s an incredibly talented musician.”

Originally from Nashville, Eberle came to Los Angeles in 2000. She received her bachelor’s degree from the Thornton School of Music at USC and recently completed a Professional Studies Certificate at the Colburn School in Los Angeles.

She is pursuing a master’s degree in violin performance at Juilliard.

Eberle is looking forward to playing the Brahms Violin Concerto with the Burbank orchestra having just performed it with the Bahia symphony in Brazil, she said.

“The piece is one of the gems of the violinist’s repertoire,” she said.

“To have the chance to play this concerto, which I’ve always loved, is a wonderful opportunity.”

It’s also a challenge, Eberle added, because she’ll be playing for about 40 minutes.

“It’s like running a marathon,” she said.