(Photo: Paul LaBelle)
By Erin Philips
(Photo: Pedro Diaz)
SAN DIEGO — This weekend, the San Diego Symphony features the performance series “Zukerman Plays and Conducts,” starring Pinchas Zukerman, conductor and violinist, and David Chan, violinist.
Pinchas Zukerman is a widely respected conductor and violinist who performs and teaches all over the world. Born in Tel Aviv and educated at The Julliard School, he has received multiple awards including the Medal of Arts and two Grammy awards.
Violinist David Chan is a San Diego native and the concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. He also studied and is a current faculty member at The Julliard School, and performs as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician internationally.
The program, which began its run Friday night, consists of three works that build in scope, depth and intensity as the concert progresses. Opening with 13 wind players clustered at the center of the stage, Serenade in E-flat Major, Op. 7 by Richard Strauss is a pleasant if unmemorable piece of music compared to the works that follow.
More musicians join the stage for the second work, Johann Sebastian Bach’s Concerto in D minor for Two Violins and String Orchestra, BWV 1043. For this piece, Zukerman takes a break from conducting to play alongside David Chan. Throughout the concerto’s three movements, the two violinists gracefully partner one another and accompany the orchestra and for a crowd-pleasing, lively performance.
After intermission, the full orchestra takes the stage, with Zukerman once again at the podium, for Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93 – a dark, layered work by Dmitri Shostakovich. The first movement, a Moderato, is long and somber, followed by the Allegro – a brief, furious frenzy of a movement that captivates listeners with its energy and power. The third movement, the Allegretto, recalls the first in its length and quiet drama. The Andante-Allegro, a somewhat controversial finale, ends the work with an upbeat flourish that seems at odds with the music that proceeds it.
Overall, “Zukerman Plays and Conducts” is an interesting progression of sound with a diverse enough range that all audiences should find something to appreciate. Performances continue at the Jacobs Music Center’s Copley Symphony Hall through Sunday, March 29. For more information, visit http://www.sandiegosymphony.org/.
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Philips is a freelance writer specializing in the arts. Your comment may be sent to erin.philips@sdjewishworld.com, or posted according to the instructions below.