David Visentin - Mozart and Shostakovich
It is a great pleasure to welcome back David Visentin to our
festival - his seventh summer of great music making at ArtSpring. We asked
him to tell us about the program he and his colleagues are playing on
Monday, July 17 2006.
It's always an interesting, and challenging, process when one comes to
programming music; especially interesting when one is programming for an
audience with whom one feels a relationship and kinship that is both
emotional and musical. Our concerts on Salt Spring are always special and
satisfying for the fact that we feel we are performing for friends; very
knowledgeable friends.
The most immediate idea behind the programme was, of course, a
celebration and, in the case of Mozart and Shostakovich, a 300th and 100th
birthday theme. At the same time, it is a pretty basic theme concept and
the challenge becomes the specific choices that are made. I think that we
have chosen, in the two string quartets, two works that are masterpieces
of immense scope and contrast.
The choice of the Mozart "Hunt" Quartet K. 458 (1884) was easy, in as
much as it exemplifies perfectly the mature balance and brilliance of
Mozart's writing. All elements combine in an inspired, sunny, humorous and
altogether exquisite four-movement work which could not exist with one
more or one less note - a true work of a master's chamber music art.
In stark contrast to this, however, is the String Quartet No. 8 by
Shostakovich. A profoundly moving, ironic and stark work the quartet
couples parodies of patriotic anthems of the Stalinist age with the most
personal and vulnerable encrypted lyrical lines (the note letters of
Shostakovich's name) revealing a great artist tortured by life and the
conditions of living in the repressive Soviet regime. It is performed in
five movements without pause and leaves both the performers and audience
completely altered and spent. I have had twelve year old boys come up
after a performance and declare it the coolest piece they have ever heard.
The Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 is a rare opportunity to perform the
work in the manner in which it was likely premiered, that is, in the
company of close friends and in the chamber salon of Chopin's home; the
composer its soloist. And Catherine Ordronneau is the perfect interpreter
for hearing this work in this setting as I am sure the soaring melodies,
ravishing harmonies and her deeply beautiful and expressive musicality
will captivate the audience.
It is truly the greatest pleasure to perform with Kai, Catherine, Paula
and Hiroko; they are the most sensitive and generous musicians and
colleagues with which to work. Over the years, and because of Salt Spring,
we have developed an extremely close rapport and intuitive communication,
and I feel that this concert, for whatever inexpressible reason, will be
one not to miss.
And then there is the encore which will leave us all gasping for air!
David, Hiroko, Paula, Kai and Catherine perform at ArtSpring on Monday
July 17 2006 at 8:00pm. Please call the Ticket Centre 250-537-2102 or
email
tickets@artspring.ca
to reserve your tickets ($19 adults; $8 students).
Sizzling Summer Nights Festival is sponsored by
Pegasus Gallery of
Canadian Art. For a special treat, the concession bar features some
locally made delicacies from Salt Spring Gelato Delizioso.
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