Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s 28th season, Stars Ascending, features a diversity of outstanding artists, both emerging and accomplished, in concert at a variety of venues. From State College of Florida to the north, Plantation Golf and Country Club to the south, and the Historic Asolo Theater, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and more in between, the exciting mix of genres and locations offers musical experiences for every taste.

A highlight of the season is the presentation of “Caesar!” and the Markov family on November 18, 4:00 p.m. at Church of the Palms. Alexander Markov and his parents Albert and Marina – known as “the first family of violin” – perform together in a family-friendly concert experience that also features Key Chorale and the Booker High School VPA Choir.

The first part of the concert features the Markovs playing classical masterpieces arranged for violin duo and trio. Alexander Markov says, “It’s an incredible experience every time we play together, because there’s nothing closer than playing with your family.”

Following intermission, Alexander takes the stage with Key Chorale, the Booker High School VPA Choir, an orchestra, a rhythm section, and his 24-karat-gold-plated six-string electric violin to perform “Caesar!” His original composition about the legendary Roman general and statesman combines classical, rock, and pop music in a five-part piece full of mystery, drama, color, and contrasts. Alexander says “I’m a product of a classical music home during the era of guitar gods. You should expect the unexpected.”

Alexander has wowed audiences playing his gold electric violin in the world’s most prestigious concert halls and packed stadiums. He made his New York debut recital at Carnegie Hall in 1983 and was awarded a prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant in 1987. He humorously stated, “It used to be that the big deal was I made my debut at Carnegie Hall at the age of 16. Now it’s that I have over 11 million views on YouTube.”

Albert Markov was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine in 1933. In 1941, he and his mother were evacuated to escape World War II. After his immigration to the United States in 1975, Albert Markov made his debut with the Houston Symphony. Prior to that, he won the Gold Medal in the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Brussels and was concertizing extensively. He is the only concert violinist of the 20th and 21st centuries who created major compositions for opera, symphony, and more which are performed internationally and commercially recorded.

Marina Markov was a member of the string ensemble in the orchestra of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow as well as a member of the Bolshoi Quartet. After immigrating to the Unites States, she was a member of the New York City Opera Orchestra and the Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center, New York.

A true special event, “Caesar!” is not to be missed.

Sang Yoon Kim, clarinet, and Christine Kim, oboe, perform a Lunch and Listen concert at Sarasota Yacht Club on November 30. The 11:00 a.m. program by this woodwind power couple, accompanied by Joseph Holt on piano, includes trios and sonatas and is followed by a delicious lunch.

The Queen’s Six comes to us direct from Windsor Castle, where they work and live, for a concert in our Sunday Best series at First Presbyterian Church. Recently featured on “CBS Sunday Morning,” their December 17 concert includes austere early chant, florid Renaissance polyphony, bawdy madrigals, haunting folk songs, and upbeat jazz and pop arrangements. This program also includes seasonal favorites in the incomparable British tradition.

From January through May 2024, 14 more concerts are on the schedule, including multi-award-winning pianist Jonathan Mamora; the Cavatina Duo in an extravagant program of flamenco, tango, and opera fantasies; the genre-hopping trio Empire Wild; Duo Chinoiserie, blending the ancient Chinese zither with classical guitar; and Trio Gaia, New England Conservatory’s graduate piano trio in residence.

For the complete 2023-2024 concert schedule and tickets, visit ArtistSeriesConcerts.org or call (941) 306-1202.