VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PERFORMS “THE MUSIC OF THE ROLLING STONES: A ROCK SYMPHONY” PRESENTED by VIRGINIA ARTS FESTIVAL

Bridging the gulf between rock n’ roll and classical music, Virginia Symphony Orchestra performs The Music of The Rolling Stones at the Ted Constant  Center on Friday, February 20 at 8pm.  Amplified by a full rock band and accompanied by singer Brody Dolyniuk’s vocals, creator Brent Havens guest conducts the ensemble as they capture The Rolling Stones’ “sheer blast and power,” riff for riff while adding new musical colors.

 Tickets to the show are on-sale October 17 at 10am at the Constant Center Box Office, online at www.YnotTix.com,  charge by phone at (877-Ynot-Tix) or the Virginia Arts Festival Box Office. Ticket prices start at $23.00.

 “My concept for The Music of The Rolling Stones was to take the music as close to the originals as we could and then add the orchestral colors to enhance what the Stones had done,” says Havens.  “The wonderful thing with an orchestra is that you have an entire palette to call upon.  The band is reproducing what the Stones did on the albums and then having an orchestra behind the band gives the music a richness, a whole different feel, a whole different sense of power.”

 Frontman Brody Dolyniuk, sings brilliantly, acting as a window between the audience and the reworked material. “The music itself is one thing, but Dolyniuk more than captures the spirit of legendary Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger,” says Havens.  “He even teaches the audience some of Jagger’s moves.  It’s a lot of fun.”

 Why the music of the Rolling Stones?  Havens felt the Stones’ music is a combination of high energy and straight-forward rock n’ roll which makes them an ideal choice for these shows.

 The 2-plus hour concert features 18 Stones hits, including Brown Sugar, Jumpin Jack Flash, Ruby Tuesday and Angie.

 “It’s a blast of rock music that meets the sheer power of a full orchestra combined with a great lead singer.  You have an amazing wall of sound that’s as powerful as anything you’re going to hear at a concert,” says Havens.  “It’s something that shouldn’t be missed by any Stones fan!”

 The symphonic rock hybrid has met with approval on both sides of the podium. 

 “When we first came on stage, the audience gave us polite, almost classical applause,” says Havens. “Then we hit the first note and they realized it was a rock show!”