By Eileen Wingard
LA JOLLA, California — Celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, the La Jolla Music Society staged a Gala which included a 5:30 p.m. reception for donors, a tribute to the many people and companies responsible for the construction and administration of the Center and a recital by the world-renowned violinist, Joshua Bell.
For the reception, hors d’oeuvres were provided in the JAI (a multi-purpose room) by the Rancho Coyote Vineyards. Most of the attendees came out to the lovely patio to enjoy their appetizers and drinks and socialize.
When the capacity audience gathered in the Baker-Baum Concert Hall at 6:30 p.m., the La Jolla Music Society’s President and CEO, Todd R. Schultz, the Artistic Director, Leah Rosenthal, and the Board Chair, H. Peter Wagener came on stage. They paid tribute to the many donors, construction companies, architects and acousticians responsible for building the $70 million complex. Special tribute was paid to Conrad Prebys, after whom the Center is named, to Christopher Beach, who spearheaded the effort to construct the new facility and to major donors such as Brenda Baker and Stephen Baum, after whom the concert hall is named, and to Joan and Irwin Jacobs, after whom the JAI was named. All the companies involved in the construction of the complex had representatives who were recognized.
A special tribute was given to Artistic Director Leah Rosenthal with a compilation of video messages from performers she engaged in the winter seasons to celebrate her
15- year tenure with the La Jolla Music Society. Artists such as Pianists Emanuel Ax, Garrick Ohlsson and Yefim Bronfman, Violinist James Ehnes, Cellist Alisa Weilerstein, Clarinetist Anthony McGill and Summerfest Director, Inon Barnatan offered high praise for her vision and administrative skills.
Finally, Violinist Joshua Bell, and his Piano Collaborator Peter Dugan, entered. Dressed in a black long-sleeved shirt over narrow black trousers, and looking boyish with his slim figure and full shock of dark hair, Bell, accompanied by Dugan, plunged into the first piece, Brahms Sonatensatz (Scherzo) for Violin and Piano. Bell attacked it with great physicality, then drew back in the passages where he accompanied the piano. This piece was written by Brahms when he was just 20 years old and it was a collaborative sonata with the first movement written by Albert Dietrich and the final two by Robert Schumann as a gift for the great violinist, Joseph Joachim.
Next came the seldom heard Beethoven Violin Sonata in A Major, Op. 12, No. 2
The two artists gave it a delightful interpretation, highlighting the humorous aspects of the work.
This was followed by Grieg’s Violin Sonata in C Minor, op. 45, No. 3. Bell brought out all the passion of this romantic work, literally dancing to the music as he swayed and crouched with each bow stroke. His musical palette seemed limitless as he drew crescendi and decrescendi and went from G string soul-stirring fire to ethereal tenderness on the E string. Every phrase had musical purpose and direction, fully engaging his listeners.
The three shorter pieces that followed were a serene rendition of Chopin’s famous Nocturne, opus 9 No. 2 that melted the heart. Next was a virtuosic performance of Wieniawski’s Scherzo Tarantelle. Bell had a strong affinity for the music of Wieniawski, often called the Chopin of the Violin, because his teacher, Josef Gingold, was a student of of the great Polish-Jewish composer and violin virtuoso.
Bell’s musicality and virtuosity were well matched by Dugan’s excellent collaboration.
The concluding work of the evening was a collaboration with his beautiful wife, Soprano Larisa Martinez, singing Quando m en vo from Puccini’s La Boheme. Bell graciously showcased his wife in his final selection. This was indeed an inspiring Gala of celebration, music and love.
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Eileen Wingard, a retired violinist with the San Diego Symphony, is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts. She may be contacted via eileeen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com
JOSHUA BELL taught @ Indiana University School of Music and welcomed me there when my second husband Michael Kuttner passed away while teaching with his Hungarian String Quartet colleagues.
I remember Joshua Bell being as you describe him above, dearest Eileen! thank you so
much for ALL your writings which we ALL thoroughly enjoy and appreciate!