Dazzling Violin Romance

The opening concert of Firebird’s 2026–27 season presents some the most beautiful, seductive and rousing sounds from the world of classical music.

The concert opens with the Spanish composer, Sarasate’s dazzling Zigeunerweisen or Gypsy Airs, dating from 1878 with its Hungarian inspired melodies. One of Sarasate’s most popular compositions, this has become a favourite among violin virtuosos.

This is followed by Bruch’s richly seductive G minor Violin Concerto, one of the most popular Romantic concertos of all time. The concert concludes with Beethoven’s rousing sixth symphony, the Pastorale.

The soloist in the first two pieces is the talented 16-year-old violinist Luke Stepanyak. From a Ukrainian family of musicians, Luke studies at the London’s Yehudi Menuhin School and the Junior Department of the Royal Academy of Music.

Our very own George Jackson conducts this concert. 

‘George Jackson raised the stature of the music to a rarely-encountered level, absolutely enthralling from first bar to last’
Classical Source

Bruch with Luke

Sarasate Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20
Bruch Violin Concerto no. 1 in G minor, Op. 26
Beethoven Symphony no. 6 in F, Op. 68 Pastoral

Conductor George Jackson
Violin Luke Stepanyak

* Photos supplied by London Firebird Orchestra and by the artists themselves. Other photos:
Sarasate caricatured by as ‘Man of the Day’ for Vanity Fair, 1889 by Carlo Pellegrini – Public Domain, Wikipedia Commons; Sculpture of Bruch on Cologne City Hall by Olaf Höhnen. Public Domain, Wikipedia Commons; Bust of Beethoven by Hugo Hagen, 1892. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Public Domain, Wikipedia Commons