Vladimir Spivakov, violin and Olga Kern, piano
February 17-26, 2012
Sanders Theatre, Boston, Massachusetts
Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, New York
Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, Chicago, Illinois
Benaroya Hall, Seattle, Washington
Herbst Theatre, San Francisco, California
Violin
“The violinist is both elegant and exuberant…There was a nice, almost conversational quality in some of the lyric passages, and plenty of virtuosity everywhere.” –The Boston Globe
“…a refined and aristocratic artist. His playing is not only extraordinarily persuasive, even exhilarating on a purely technical level, but bespeaks a refined and probing musical mind.” – The New York Times
A violinist of “soulful refinement and technical finesse”, Vladimir Spivakov appears regularly as a recitalist and orchestra soloist in all of the major international music capitals. For over three decades, he has been one of the most acclaimed violin virtuosos of our time. Mr. Spivakov made his United States recital debut in 1975 and international engagements quickly followed. As a violinist, he has performed as soloist with the most important orchestras in the world, and collaborated with some of the 20th century’s most eminent conductors, including Svetlanov, Kondrashin, Temirkanov, Rostropovich, Bernstein, Leinsdorf, Ozawa, Maazel, Giulini, Masur, Chailly, Conlon and Abbado. Critics of the leading musical countries unanimously appreciate Spivakov’s deep insight into composers’ intentions, the richness, beauty and volume of his tone, his fine phrasing and nuance, his emotional impact on his audiences, and his refined artistry and intelligence. In addition to performing major traditional works, Mr. Spivakov has continually treated his audiences to new and innovative repertoire, both in chamber music and orchestral works. In January 2012 Mr. Spivakov will perform during a special North American recital tour with pianist Olga Kern, their first outside of Europe. Mr. Spivakov plays a violin by Stradivari.
Piano
…”This immensely talented artist turned in a performance that was dignified, controlled and almost majestic… her rubato was elegant and natural. The highlight of the afternoon was the concerto’s celebrated Adagio, where Spivakov created a gossamer halo around Kern’s luscious phrases.”… —The Washington Post – March 2007
Olga Kern, the striking young Russian Gold Medal winner of the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition – whose performance of the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 made her the first woman to achieve this distinction in over 30 years – made her New York City debut in Carnegie’s Zankel Hall in May, 2004. Eleven days later she returned to New York to play at Carnegie again, this time on the stage of the Isaac Stern Auditorium at the invitation of Carnegie Hall.
Ms. Kern is a magnetic performer with one of the most prodigious piano techniques of any young pianist. This season, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Van Cliburn Foundation will honor Ms. Kern’s Cliburn victory 10 years ago with a co-presentation of her talents in March and April of 2011.
Also this season, Olga will perform with the symphonies of Detroit, Anchorage, Nashville, Dallas, Virginia, St. Louis, Rochester, Pittsburgh, Madison, Johnson City, Syracuse and Colorado. She has also been invited to perform at Longwood Gardens, the Sanibel Music Festival, the Winter Park Bach Festival, the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, and Drake University. In January 2012 Olga will perform during a special North American recital tour with violinist Vladimir Spivakov, their first outside of Europe.
Ms. Kern records exclusively with Harmonia Mundi, and her highly anticipated Chopin Sonatas CD was recently released in 2010.
Program:
Johannes Brahms, Violin Sonata No. 3 in D Minor, op. 108
Igor Stravinsky, ‘Suite Italienne’
Arvo Pärt, Spiegel im Spiegel (dedicated to Vladimir Spivakov)
Cesar Franck, Sonata in A Major
Venue: Sanders Theatre
Inspired by Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian Theatre at Oxford, England, Sanders Theater is famous for its design and its acoustics. A member of the League of Historic American Theaters, the 1,166 seat theater offers a unique and intimate 180 degree design which provides unusual proximity to the stage. The theater was designed to function as a major lecture hall and as the site of college commencements. Although Sanders saw its last commencement exercise in 1922, the theater continues to play a major role in the academic mission of Harvard College.
Order tickets by phone: The Harvard Box Office 617-496-2222. Harvard Box Office Sales Booth 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 Smith Campus Center in Harvard Square Phone: 617.496.2222 Tuesday-Sunday, 12:00-6:00 pm
Sanders Theatre Box Office 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 Open for day of show performances only. 12:00pm for matinees, 5:00pm for evenings.
45 Quincy St,
Cambridge, MA 02138
