He has world on a string

As violinist Joshua Bell tours some of the world’s most famous

concert halls this summer, he has a variety of agendas.

One is to promote his recently released album, a new take on a

popular Pyotr Tchaikovsky violin concerto. Another is to reintroduce

audiences to the works of prominent Russian composers.

As part of the Pacific Symphony’s classics series, Bell will play

alongside Carl St. Clair and the symphony orchestra Wednesday and

Thursday at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

Bell will perform Tchaikovsky’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra

in D Major, Op. 35, and Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird,” among other

classical pieces.

Pacific Symphony President John Forsyte said Bell is a natural fit

to perform the Russian composers’ work.

“He’s one of a handful of brilliant violinists of his generation,”

Forsyte said. “He has a unique way of communicating and shows us the

beauty and structure of classical music.”

Bell has worked alongside St. Clair at various venues throughout

his career and has made at least one stop in Costa Mesa. The

37-year-old Grammy-winning violinist plays more than 100 concerts per year.

“I thrive on having an audience,” Bell said. “I’m a physical

player. I’m very involved on stage. It’s about creating something and

seeing how the audience reacts.”

For his latest CD, of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D, Op. 58,

Bell fed off the energy of a live audience. His record company

spliced together three performances with the Berlin Philharmonic

Orchestra in January.

Bell will be performing Tchaikovsky’s “Meditation” at the Pacific

Symphony concert.

He is best known for his score for the 1999 film “The Red Violin,”

and for his 2004 album “The Romance of the Violin,” which earned him

Billboard Magazine’s 2004 Classical Artist of the Year award. Bell

has released nearly 30 CDs, has been named one of People Magazine’s

50 most beautiful people, and is the owner of a $4-million 18th

century Stradivarius violin.

His next move is to give back. Inspired as a youth by Indiana

University music teacher Josef Gingold, Bell said he wants to teach a

new generation of musicians a love for classical music.

“I think it’s important to see young kids coming to concerts,”

Bell said. “A lot of them aren’t exposed to this type of music.”

Composing and conducting music are also on Bell’s to-do list.

“Violinists used to write their own music,” he said. “I have a

soft spot for tradition.”

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: Joshua Bell plays with Orange County’s Pacific Symphony

* WHEN: 8 tonight and Thursday

* WHERE: Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center

Drive, Costa Mesa

* COST: $20-$78

* CALL: (714) 755-5799

* ELIA POWERS is the enterprise and general assignment reporter.

He may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or by e-mail at

o7elia.powers@latimes.comf7.