Youth Composer to Debut Symphony on Feb. 11

Submitted by Kara Robbins, New Phil Associate Director

Eleven-year-old Needham resident Anna Larsen will be debuting her Symphony No. 1 at the New Philharmonia Orchestra’s “Of Youth and Music” on Feb. 11 and 12 in Newton.

A student of Needham Public Schools, the young pianist and composer has drawn from her own experiences to create a work far beyond her 11 years. Larsen’s Symphony No. 1 is a triumph. Expect to hear precise melodies and beautifully blended colors throughout this world premiere.

Larsen began playing piano at the age of three and composing when she was six. She has studied composition with Alla Cohen at New England Conservatory and has won a number of awards for her compositions over the past four years. Her first Symphony No. 1, composed at the age of 10, has been her most ambitious project and came to fruition over the past year. It was awarded a prestigious ASCAP Foundation Young Composer Morton Gould Award (2011), and will receive its world premiere under maestro Ronald Knudsen and Newton’s New Philharmonia Orchestra (2012). 

Larsen also studies piano with renowned Professor Hung-Kuan Chen at NEC. She had her orchestral debut playing the Beethoven Concerto No. 1 under James Orent with the Newton Symphony Orchestra (2011). 

Larsen is also a scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. Under his mentorship, she has participated in master classes and played to sold-out performances in high profile venues like Carnegie Hall. 

She aspires to be a concertizing artist of her own original works and those of the great masters.  

Also featured at the “Of Youth and Music” program will be cellist Aaron Wolff, 17, a senior at Newton South High School, who will perform Schumann’s Cello Concerto with the New Phil.

Wolff has been a featured performer on the radio show “From the Top” (2009) and a lead actor in the Coen brothers’ film “A Serious Man” (2009). Wolff has repeatedly proved he has the talent and emotional strength of a veteran performer.   

The concert, under the direction of New Phil’s Music Director Ronald Knudsen, will take place on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Newton Centre, 848 Beacon St. For more information or ticket orders, call the New Phil box office at 617-527-9717. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.newphil.org.