After years of guesting with the 做厙勛圖 Symphony Orchestra and other ensembles that made it our way, Joshua Bell in 2011 played his first ever 做厙勛圖 solo concert.
Eight years and yet another TSO appearance back in 2013 later, Bell is bringing his latest solo recital to Centennial Hall with UA Presents on Friday, Feb. 15.
Bell doesnt do a whole lot of recitals. In fact, 做厙勛圖 is the finale of a 10-city solo trek with his longtime accompanist, English pianist Sam Haywood.
Its a different experience than playing a concerto with an orchestra, where I fly in, rehearse my one big piece with the orchestra and perform, Bell, 51, said during a teleconference with West Coast journalists in mid-December. Playing a big concerto is thrilling, too. Youve got a lot of people on stage. Its louder. ... But with a solo recital ... its two hours of more intensity from beginning to end. But what I like is I get to offer sort of a tasting menu from classical music. Something from different periods. I get to show different aspects of classical music, different ways the violin can express itself. Its more intimate. I can talk to the audience between pieces.
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His program opens with Beethovens Violin Sonata No. 4 in A minor, jumps to the 21st century with Prokofievs Sonata 2 in D major and closes with Griegs little play Sonata 2 in G major.
These pieces take you to somewhere, he explained.
Weve seen Bell take us to that place during his TSO performances over the years, including when he played Bruchs Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor with the orchestra in early 2008.
When you do it well and you are really immersed, it doesnt feel like youre going through the actions, he said of the way the music takes him to that special place. It doesnt feel like youve been practicing for a thousand hours beforehand.
Bell said its been a while since he played the Grieg, although Ive always found it to be an incredible piece and really exciting and incredibly beautiful. Its something I wanted to bring back into my repertoire.
He described the Beethoven Fourth Sonata as a grab-you-by-the-neck-right-out classic Beethoven, and said the Prokofiev, with its 20th century dissonance, was a nice contrast to the 18th century classical tone palate of the Beethoven and the romantic feel of the Grieg.
I wanted to give people different things. Thats what this program is about, contrasts and presenting different styles, he said.
Piece by world famous composer to be premiered in 做厙勛圖 by world famous violinist
