Classical Music News

VC Artist Kerson Leong Steps in at the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec

February 2, 2024

2 MIN READ

Filling in for Baibe Skride, Leong played Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3 with conductor Anna Rakitina on one day's notice

VC Artist and violinist Kerson Leong stepped up at short notice to replace an ailing Baiba Skride in performances with the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec (OSQ) on January 31 and February 1, 2024. Leong played Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major (the same work Skride was scheduled to play) alongside conductor Anna Rakitina.

Also on the program were Ravel's Ma mère l’Oye suite and the Ravel orchestration of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.

A sought-after soloist, Kerson Leong's career began in earnest when he was named as the winner of the International Yehudi Menuhin Violin Competition in 2010. He routinely appears with groups such as the Royal, Oslo, Brussels, Kansai, and Liège Royal Philharmonic Orchestras, and the Seattle, Singapore, Toledo, Montreal, Tucson, Bilkent, Toronto, Vancouver, Stavanger, and Wuppertal Symphony Orchestras.

Leong is presently an associate artist of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium, where he was mentored by Augustin Dumay. His most recent recording for Alpha Classics, on which he played the Britten and Bruch violin concertos with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Patrick Hahn, was released to widespread acclaim.

"It was at short notice that Canadian violinist Kerson Leong generously agreed to join us, with less than a day's warning," wrote the OSQ in a statement. "Winner of numerous awards, he has conquered world stages with his expressive playing and his charisma. This unique opportunity to see him play with our orchestra promises a memorable evening."

"We are grateful for Kerson's availability on such short notice and assure you that the concert program remains unchanged."

"Wishing Baiba a speedy recovery!" Leong added.