Leonidas Kavakos plays Bach

by Alison Young, Minnesota Public Radio
October 22, 2009
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St. Paul, Minn. — Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos has made Minnesota almost a second home - performing with the Minnesota Orchestra last spring here and at Carnegie Hall - and performing a solo recital tonight at the Ordway as part of the Schubert Club International Artist Series.

The program boasts two colorful and romantic works: Robert Schumann's second violin sonata in D minor written in between massive choral and orchestral projects as a bit of chamber-music respite to be played at home.

Also on the program is the third sonata by Georges Enesco - "In the Romanian popular character" - not based on any original folk themes, but on an entire new language created by the composer more in the spirit of the folk-style of his native country.

Kavakos begins tonight's recital with the chaconne from a solo violin partita by Bach. This is an astonishingly intimate way to begin his rapport with the audience. While many instrumentalists like to grab the listener with technique, flair and big sound, Kavakos chooses an entry that casts a spell, almost hypnotizing the listener by its simplicity and grace.

It's reminiscent of the encore Kavakos chose after a scintillating Sibelius concerto he played last May at Orchestra Hall. This Bach Andante was so delicate and tender the usual coughing and shuffling audience was completely silenced. You can hear this marvelous encore by clicking to the right.

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