STAR HARPIST: Alexander Boldachev is a guest soloist in the Princeton Symphony Orchestra’s virtual concert on Sunday, March 7 at 4 p.m.

On Sunday, March 7 at 4 p.m., the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) presents the virtual concert “Puccini & Respighi” featuring Ottorino Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite III and Giacomo Puccini’s I Crisantemi, performed by the orchestra under the baton of Edward T. Cone Music Director Rossen Milanov. Guest harpist Alexander Boldachev performs original compositions for solo harp and arrangements of well-known works by Bedřich Smetana and Astor Piazzolla.

Boldachev performs Smetana’s The Moldau, arranged for harp by Hanuš Trneček, and Boldachev’s own arrangement of Piazzolla’s Libertango. Also on the program are his 2018 work Triomphe de la Musique, dedicated to Marc Chagall and based on his mural hanging at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, and a new improvisational work inspired by Princeton University’s motto, Dei sub numine viget (Under God’s Power She Flourishes).

Boldachev is the official artist for Salvi Harps, guest artist of Bolshoi Theater, and founder of the Harp Festival Zurich. Following his solo debut at age 8, he began his international career as a soloist, chamber musician, and composer. He has brought the harp to new audiences throughout 35 countries and five continents. As an arranger, his extensive compositional activity concentrates on expanding the harp repertoire by means of transcriptions of major orchestral works, popular hits (by Queen, The Beatles, Nirvana, Adele), and excerpts of movie music (Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Spirited Away, and James Bond films).

His compositions include programmatic works for harp and orchestra, theatrical works featuring harp, choir works, and film music collaborations. He has led master classes at The Juilliard School, Royal Academy of Music, Toronto Royal Conservatory, and other music schools around the world.

This concert is part of the PSO’s “Your Orchestra, Your Home” series. Access is $15 per unique device access link and includes the ability to participate in a live chat while watching with an online community of music lovers. Following the broadcast, viewers receive on-demand access to the concert for one week. To purchase, call (609) 497-0020 or visit princetonsymphony.org.