I've had the pleasure of seeing Pinchas Zukerman perform a number of times, going as far back as the mid-70's when I saw him for the first time...he was playing the violin as a soloist. But he is also a conductor, and a virtuoso violist as well. In addition to playing the "standards" of the violin-viola concerto repertoire, he has also distinguished himself as a fine chamber musician. If you watch any number of interviews and documentaries about him, what stands out to me is his love of making music WITH other people...not FOR other people. He loves being "in the band" so to speak. The spotlight of the concert stage is not what he seeks...he would rather be part of a group effort. And Saturday night, watching him perform the Beethoven Violin Concerto in D with the Kansas City Symphony...that's exactly how it felt. Sure, he was the star...we all came to see him play the Beethoven...but he blended into the orchestra and made it feel like a group effort, even though he was doing the heavy lifting. Beethoven's
Violin Concerto was premiered in 1806, and was not well received. Imagine that...this seminal work got off to a very slow start. But tonight, everyone in Helzberg Hall probably already knows and loves this concerto. Along with Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky and Brahms, Beethoven is on the Mount Rushmore of violin concertos. And the concerto starts with? That's right, 4 "d's" tapped on the timpani, followed by a rather lengthy orchestral introduction...over three minutes. So rather than just standing there waiting for his entrance, Zukerman jumps in with the second violins and plays with them...a man who loves being part of the band. And when it's time for the solo violin to enter, he steps forward and takes the hand-off from Maestro Stern and off we go. My mom asked me how many times has he played this concerto in his career.. I don't know...probably hundreds...but the great thing about him, and this concert, was his eagerness to make music. He was engaged, enthusiastic and alive. How does Billy Joel manage to play
Piano Man with any enthusiasm after playing it thousands of times? Not sure...but Zukerman seemed to be having fun. When he reached the cadenza of the first movement, his true genius was obvious. The woodshed had velvet walls. The technical nature of the work was visible to the eye, but the resulting music was simply beautiful to the ear. Leaning into the cadenza, he swayed, and shimmied. all under the watchful eye of Stern,who did a wonderful job keeping the balance and guiding the attacks and phrasing for everyone else. And here's what Zukerman does that many if not most violinists can't do...and this is true of singers...he can be "loud" when he plays softly. I don't know how to explain this very well...but when he plays quietly and delicately, the music does not lose its power nor force. And when he does play at full volume, it is such a great contrast to his pianissimo. There were continued smiles throughout the performance, intentional eye contact with Stern and other musicians, and an obvious love and respect of this timeless music. After making his debut as a child prodigy some sixty years ago, the kids is still alright.
There was other music this evening as well. I am a huge Janacek fan...how many of you can honestly say that? I have probably listened to his
Sinfonietta and
Taras Bulba a hundred times. And his piano work
On an Overgrown Path is also a big favorite of mine. But I had never heard
The Fiddler's Child before this week. (I listened to it in advance of the concert.) What a great work! It has the same rhythmic pulse and chordal style of
Taras Bulba, and a very tasty violin solo played with great tone and taste by guest concertmaster, Joseph Meyer. I listened to it again today because I am hooked!
And speaking of hooks...musical hooks...there was also Mozart's
Symphony no. 39 this evening. Once again, the KCS played Mozart with finesse, crispness and most importantly, ENERGY. It seemed like Maestro Stern and the Band were having fun. Mozart sets so many traps for you as a musician. First off, there are the repeats and sudden stops that make you hold your breath that no one will blow through a stop sign and play in a rest. No one did. But much more importantly, as great as Mozart is, a blase', uninspired Mozart is a real drag. If you are going to do it...than DO IT. KCS brought their A-game tonight and brought Mozart to life. Cheers!
