Violinist makes U.S. debut
| Wednesday, Nov 11 2009 06:16 PM
Last Updated Wednesday, Nov 11 2009 06:16 PM
GO & DO
What: Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, featuring Lithuanian violinist Diana Galvydyte
When: Saturday; Dr. Jerome Kleinsasser will lecture on the program at 7 p.m.; concert at 8 p.m.
Where: Rabobank Theater, 1001 Truxtun Ave.
Tickets: $32-48; student tickets are half price.
Information: 323-7928
Lithuanian violinist Diana Galvydyte will make her U.S. debut with the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra on Saturday evening at the Rabobank Theater.
The 25-year-old rising star will perform the Violin Concert in B minor by English composer Edward Elgar. Galvydyte has studied in England since 2000, and has performed extensively there and in Europe, including her native country. She has also won 14 international competitions for young musicians.
Elgar's violin concerto is regarded as one of the great examples of the genre in the Romantic movement. It is also one of the longest and most demanding concertos, clocking in at between 45 and 55 minutes depending on the soloist.
Galvydyte comes to Bakersfield courtesy of the connection between conductor John Farrer and English composer David Bowerman, whose work "Variations on a Theme of Elgar," will also be performed at Saturday's concert.
"(Bowerman) knew of her," said BSO operations manager Mary Moore. "John and David know each other through John's conducting workshops in England."
According to Bowerman's own notes, the work is based on a previously unknown two-part fugue Elgar wrote in 1883 for his brother Frank. The fugue is started by a solo violin and oboe, and then taken up by the entire orchestra. Bowerman bought Elgar's original score that inspired his work at auction at Sotheby's.
"When he sent us the box of music, it was all in Sotheby's sacks," Moore said.
Bowerman was originally a farmer in England and came to composing relatively late in life. Bowerman's musical inspiration is distinctively English, setting to music some of Shakespeare's sonnets, writing variations on English anthems and music other English composers such as Elgar.
Rounding out the concert program is a performance of the Overture to "Benvenuto Cellini," by French composer Hector Berlioz. This represents a change in the original program, which had previously included a piece by Franz Schubert.
