AN EVENING OF THANKS: ACCLAIMED ISRAELI VIOLINIST VADIM GLUZMAN AND TALENTED “MAGICAL STRINGS OF YOUTH” JOIN PACIFIC SYMPHONY FOR FREE CONCERT—MADE POSSIBLE BY GENEROUS GRANT
Orange County, Calif.—May 2010—World-renowned Israeli violin virtuoso Vadim Gluzman joins Pacific Symphony and a group of inspiring and highly regarded young violinists known as the “Magical Strings of Youth” for a special free evening of classical favorites. Of the young group, iconic composer John Williams once said: “I am no longer concerned about the future of music of the younger generation after hearing the performance of the Magical Strings.” The concert, which serves as a gesture of thanks to Symphony patrons, is led by Symphony Assistant Conductor Maxim Eshkenazy, and takes place June 15, at 8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. The program includes a riveting performance by Gluzman of Brahms’ Violin Concerto—played on the extraordinary 1690 ex-Leopold Auer Stradivarius (on extended loan to Gluzman through the generosity of the Stradivari Society of Chicago)—plus selections from well-known concertos by Bach, Vivaldi and Mendelssohn.
The concert is made possible by generous grants made by Mrs. Robert Galvin and the Paul Galvin Memorial Foundation Trust, The Music with Chris Mah and the GGE Foundation. Admission to this concert is free but tickets are required and are available online or through the Symphony box office at (714) 755-5799.
“For many years now I have been hoping to conduct a concert with the esteemed violinist Vadim Gluzman,” says Maestro Eshkenazy. “He is definitely one of the best violinists of his generation, perhaps the best. We will see him performing on one of the most rare and finest Stradivarius violins—a legendary instrument that Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto was first played on. I’m honored to not only share the stage with Gluzman but also the outstanding young violinists of the Magical Strings of Youth. The program includes all-time favorites—Pablo
Sarastate’s ‘Ziegeunerweisen’ (Gypsy Airs), Mendelssohn’s ‘Violin Concerto’ and the monolithic Brahms’ concerto—all pieces in the classical repertoire that everyone should hear! It’s a wonderful opportunity for all of us at Pacific Symphony to say thank you to our much-appreciated loyal patrons.”
“Brahms’ Concerto has a special place in the hearts of countless violinists throughout the world,” says Gluzman. “Arguably the best violin concerto ever written, comparable perhaps only to Beethoven or Mozart, this concerto is sort of a Mount Everest of the violin repertoire. The music is so incredibly personal, yet so perfectly objective—it strikes a perfect balance between the emotional depth, intellectual structure and virtuoso display. I am in love with it; I am in awe before it; I can’t wait for each and every time I play it!”
In technique and sensibility, Gluzman harkens back to the “golden age” of violinists of the 19th and 20th centuries, while possessing the passion and energy of the 21st century. Lauded by both critics and audiences as a performer of great depth, virtuosity and technical brilliance, he has appeared throughout the world as a soloist and in a duo setting with his wife, pianist Angela Yoffe. Early in his career, Gluzman enjoyed the encouragement and support of Isaac Stern and in 1994, he received the prestigious Henryk Szeryng Foundation Career Award. He has been a mentor to the Magical Strings of Youth, which he has played with in many different countries.
Born in 1973 in the Ukraine, Gluzman began studying the violin at the age of 7. Before moving to Israel in 1990, he studied under Zakhar Bron and later under Yair Kless in Tel Aviv. He also studied in the United States under Arkady Fomin and at The Juilliard School under the late Dorothy DeLay and Masao Kawasaki. Today he appears regularly with major orchestras and at prestigious music festivals world-wide, collaborating with the world’s most prominent conductors. Gluzman’s recordings, released exclusively on BIS Records, include the release of the Glazunov and Tchaikovsky violin concertos with Andrew Litton conducting the Bergen Philharmonic, which won ClassicFM Magazine’s coveted Disc of the Month as well as the Selection of the Month by the Strad Magazine; and “Fireworks!”, a collection of virtuoso violin show pieces.
“Performing with Pacific Symphony and my good friend Maxim, together with
the Magical Strings of Youth, is something I very much look forward to!” says Gluzman. “I was introduced to the Magical Strings about 12 years ago and I was incredibly impressed by the quality of playing by these children. Since then, I have toured with the group a number of times—from Lincoln Center to, most recently, Prague’s Rudolfinum. Each concert, every encounter with these kids, is a wonderful moment for me…a true inspiration.”
“Tiny players, tiny violins amaze audience! Can it be that players so young can perform with such musical expression, discipline and heartfelt joy?”—Karlsruher Tageblatt
“These kids are virtuosos… Perhaps more remarkable, their discipline is exemplary, yet they are having a great time.”—The Strad Magazine
The Magical Strings of Youth is comprised of violinists between the ages of 4 and 17, who have been trained at the Betty Haag Academy of Music. Having toured widely in the United States and abroad over the past three decades, the group has become world-renowned. They have performed multiple times at the White House, appeared at the Kennedy Center, the Lincoln Center, and to sold-out audiences at Carnegie Hall. On their first European trip in 1976, the children played to standing-room only crowds throughout Germany. The following year they were invited back for an encore tour that included a Christmas special with renowned German opera singer Anneliese Rothenberger. Since then, they have returned to Europe several times, opening the World Music Festival in the Netherlands, the Stradivarius Festival in Italy, and performing at the Vatican before 100,000 people in St. Peter’s Square for Pope Benedict XVI.
The children have also appeared with numerous major orchestras; on “A.M. Chicago”; the “Oprah Winfrey Show”; “Kids Say the Darndest Things,” with Bill Cosby, and in many venues. They performed for the “Holocaust Remembrance Day” by invitation of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley; on a special program with the Joffrey Ballet; and are also regular entertainers at the Chicago Bulls games.
Jayce Keane
Director of Public Relations
Pacific Symphony
3631 S. Harbor Blvd., Suite 100
Santa Ana, CA 92704
www.pacificsymphony.org
