Performance takes place the night after his performance with Scott Speck and West Michigan Symphony
Muskegon, Michigan, May 8, 2018 — One of the greatest violinists of the age returns to Muskegon this month to perform with the West Michigan Symphony. On the heels of his Friday night concerto appearance at the Frauenthal, Russian-Israeli violinist Vadim Gluzman will present an evening of works for violin and piano at The Block. He will collaborate with his pianist wife, Angela Yoffe, for a program that includes music by Strauss, Stravinsky, Bloch and Pärt. Gluzman performs on one of the great violins of all time: the legendary ex-Leopold Auer Stradivarius of 1690. The concert will take place at 7:30pm Saturday, May 19 at The Block, 360 W. Western Avenue, Muskegon.
The program will open with the stunningly beautiful and deeply contemplative Mirror in the Mirror by contemporary Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. The title refers to the infinite corridor of images produced by parallel mirrors, and is written in the sparse, minimalist style for which Pärt is known. Richard Strauss’ 1887 Violin Sonata, next on the program, is a deeply romantic three-movement work representing the composer’s last foray into chamber music. This will be followed a piece that couldn’t be more different in affect from either of its precedents: Stravinsky’s neoclassical Suite italienne, the composer’s own arrangement of themes from the ballet Pulcinella (itself based on themes from 18th century composer Giovanni Pergolesi). Swiss-American composer Ernest Bloch wrote music that was deeply expressive of his Jewish identity, as reflected in his
Baal Shem Suite (Three Pictures of Chassidic Life). The program will close with the brilliantly witty transcription of Figaro’s beloved aria “Largo al factotum” from Rossini’s Barber of Seville, created by Italian-born composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco.
“The opportunity to hear Vadim Gluzman and his wife and partner Angela Yoffe in the warm, resonant acoustic setting of The Block is one not to be missed,” said Executive Director Andy Buelow. “Vadim is one of the great violinists of the day, and the selections on this marvelously balanced program show him and Angela to be thoughtful, intelligent musical curators.”
Ticket prices are $25, $10 for students with ID. Tickets and information can be obtained by calling 231.726.3231 or at www.TheBlockWestMichigan.org. The Block is located at 360 W. Western Ave. in Muskegon.