A February chill may settle over downtown Modesto, but inside the Gallo Center for the Arts, the Modesto Symphony Orchestra is preparing to ignite two nights of musical fire. On February 13 and 14, the MSO presents Scheherazade & Márquez’s Fandango—a program built on passion, storytelling, and the kind of virtuosity that turns a concert into an experience. At the center of it all is one of the most celebrated violinists of our time: Anne Akiko Meyers.
For Music Director Nicholas Hersh, now in his second full season leading the orchestra, this concert is more than a highlight—it’s a milestone. “It is difficult to put into words how excited I am for our upcoming performances of Arturo Márquez’s Fandango with violin superstar Anne Akiko Meyers,” he says. Hersh, known for his imaginative programming and dynamic rapport with audiences, doesn’t toss around superlatives lightly. But this piece, and this artist, inspire them. “Anne brings such vibrant and thrilling artistry to the stage,” he adds. “She is the originator and dedicatee of this astounding concerto… If you choose just one Modesto Symphony concert to attend this season, this would be the one I’d pick.”
The evening opens with selections from Margaret Bonds’ Montgomery Variations, a work rooted in the Civil Rights Movement and shaped by Bonds’ deep admiration for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The music is reflective, powerful, and steeped in American history—an evocative prelude to the emotional range that follows.
Then comes the centerpiece: Arturo Márquez’s Fandango, a violin concerto bursting with the composer’s signature blend of classical form and the dance rhythms of his native Mexico. Meyers premiered the work in 2021 with Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, and the piece has since become a sensation. Their recording went on to win two Latin GRAMMY® Awards, cementing Fandango as one of the most electrifying new works in the contemporary violin repertoire.
For Meyers, the concerto is more than a showpiece—it’s a collaboration born from trust, artistic curiosity, and a shared love of musical storytelling. She has now performed Fandango more than 40 times with orchestras around the world, but her return to Modesto marks only her fourth appearance with the MSO. Local audiences will hear the work from the musician who knows it best, performed on the 1741 Ex-Vieuxtemps Guarneri del Gesù—an instrument often described as one of the finest violins ever made.
The program concludes with Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, a symphonic suite that has dazzled listeners since 1888. Inspired by the tales of One Thousand and One Nights, the piece is a kaleidoscope of orchestral color—lush, dramatic, and irresistibly cinematic. Its sweeping melodies and vivid character scenes offer a perfect counterbalance to Márquez’s rhythmic fireworks, creating a full-arc evening of musical storytelling.
Hersh, appointed Music Director in 2023, has quickly become a defining force in the MSO’s artistic identity. His national profile continues to rise—this season includes his debut with the New York Philharmonic and return engagements with major orchestras across the country. Yet his connection to Modesto remains grounded and genuine. He brings both technical command and a warm, approachable presence to the podium, a combination that has resonated with musicians and audiences alike.
Meyers, meanwhile, arrives in Modesto with a résumé that reads like a tour through modern classical music history. A GRAMMY® winner, she has premiered works by many of the most influential composers of the past half-century, from Arvo Pärt to Philip Glass to Wynton Marsalis. Her career began early—she appeared on The Tonight Show at age 11—and has since spanned more than 40 albums, countless world premieres, and performances for royalty, heads of state, and audiences of hundreds of thousands.
Her artistry is matched by her versatility. She has collaborated with jazz icons, avant-garde composers, electronic music pioneers, and even pop artists. She has been featured in national advertising campaigns, inspired fictional characters, and appeared in children’s literature. Yet despite her global reach, Meyers maintains a deep connection to the communities and orchestras she performs with—something Modesto audiences will feel the moment she steps onstage.
With two performances scheduled—Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14—this concert offers a rare opportunity to experience world-class artistry in an intimate, hometown setting. Whether you’re a longtime symphony supporter or a newcomer looking for a memorable Valentine’s outing, the MSO has crafted a program that promises emotional depth, exhilarating virtuosity, and a sense of shared celebration.
Tickets range from $23 to $103, with $15 student tickets available in person at the Gallo Center Ticket Office. For many, this will be the kind of performance that lingers long after the final notes fade—a reminder of the power of live music and the joy of experiencing it together.
