Candlelight Serenade to Illuminate Battle Creek with Global Talent

The Battle Creek Symphony is set to enchant audiences with its upcoming concert, Candlelight Serenade, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the Pennfield Performing Arts Center.

 

This intimate evening will showcase the evocative Concierto de Aranjuez, highlighting the talents of internationally acclaimed guitarist Rafael Aguirre and esteemed violist Nickolas Kaynor.

 

Rafael Aguirre has garnered 13 first prizes in prestigious competitions, including the Tárrega Competition and Pro Musicis in New York.

 

His performances have graced 47 countries, and he has been honored with the National Award "Cultura Viva" in Madrid.

 

In the 2024-25 season, Aguirre is set to tour the United States with the San José Symphony, debut in Colombia at the Cartagena Festival, and perform at the Casals Festival in Puerto Rico.

 

His collaborations include work with artists like Lang Lang, sopranos Fatma Said and Hera Hyesang Park, and cellist Nadège Rochat.

 

His extensive repertoire features over 30 concertos, and he has performed with major orchestras under the batons of conductors such as Jesús López Cobos, Thierry Fischer, and Leonard Slatkin.

 

Nickolas Kaynor, based in the Boston area, serves as principal violist of the Battle Creek Symphony and Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestras.

 

He also performs as a section violist with the Hartford Symphony, Vermont Symphony, and Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestras.

 

Kaynor has made notable solo appearances, including performances of Béla Bartók’s "Viola Concerto" with the Chapman Orchestra and Gerald Cohen’s "Uvtovo M’chadesh" with the Florilegium Chamber Choir.

 

An avid chamber musician, he collaborates with renowned artists and has performed in ensembles such as the Chapman Duo, Tiemann Strings, the Semiosis Quartet, and the Starling Quartet.

 

Tickets for Candlelight Serenade start at $24 for adults and $13 for students.

 

For more information, call 269-963-1911.