Program Notes Mountain Laurel: Chamber Series

THE VIOLINST AS SUPERSTAR

The audience is clapping, stomping and shouting his name. He teases them by making them wait. When he finally comes out-- his hair flowing, all dressed in black-- they are in a virtual frenzy. When he plays, the rumors of his Satanic connections are confirmed; no one could play like that, whispered the kids, who wasn’t involved with the dark side. He leaves the stage as quickly as he arrives. The women who weren’t fainting ran down the isles screaming for him to return. But he had left the building the same way he came in: in a black coach drawn by black horse.
Who is this musician? Mick Jagger? Marilyn Manson? No. The year was 1800 and the musician who mesmerized his audience was violinist, Niccolo Paganini. While Mozart’s concerti raised the violin concerto to it’s highest pitch of classical maturity and Beethoven’s violin concerto opened the way for a more romantic approach, Paganini revolutionized the instrument by making the neck longer and with a combination of showmanship, “devilish” technique and his sheer physical presence, became music’s first, true Superstar.
This afternoon we are honored to welcome Israeli violinist, Hagai Shaham to our second Chamber Music concert here at Mountain Laurel. Hagai and I will explore the many aspects of the Violin, concentrating on the Romantic Style pioneered by Mr. P. We will also talk about Grieg’s Piano Sonata #3 and a fantastic piece by Hubay who taught Ilona Feher who taught both Hagai and Ittai Shapira, who will perform here on November 29th.
In keeping with our commitment to new music, Hagai will be playing a piece by Menachem Zur a wonderful, award-winning composer, which was written for his son. Mr. Zur is here today and will talk about his piece, Prelude for Violin Solo.
Conchord, our first group of artists, was blown away by the warm reception they received here at MLCPA, and I was thrilled when I learned that more than half of the audience bought CDs. That meant that we really connected with our audience. Which is our goal, the goal of every artist. Enjoy Hagai and I look forward to our next concert.

Glen Roven

PS. And if you now like classical music, what till you see what we can do with Shakespeare!