Kurkowicz cancels SLO performance 

Joanna Kurkowicz, the violinist recently featured in New Times for her planned performance with the SLO Symphony, (“Uncovering Bacewicz,” March 1) was injured in a car accident and has cancelled her appearance in San Luis Obispo.

While Kurkowicz’s injuries aren’t life threatening, the violinist is unable to travel or perform at this time. Born in Poland and based in Boston, Kurkowicz has spent the last several years championing, recording, and premiering the music of little-known Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz. On March 10, at 8 p.m., Kurkowicz was scheduled to give the U.S. premiere of Bacewicz’s Violin Concerto. 3, as part of the SLO Symphony concert “Classical Sketches” at the PAC.

“This particular piece is not well known outside of Poland and therefore there are not very many American violinists who could be prepared to perform it on such short notice,” explained SLO Symphony Communications Director Patty Thayer.

The piece will be replaced by Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra in E Flat Major with violinist Phillip Levy and violist Andrew Duckles.

The concert, under music director Michael Nowak, will still feature Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony” and Bartok’s “Hungarian Sketches,” as originally planned.

Tickets remain at $18 to $68; visit slosymphony.com or call 756-2787. A free dress rehearsal takes place at 1 p.m.