Bach begins his brilliant C Major suite with a simple descending scale, a strong statement of positive energy. From those very 1st opening notes we feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. One of the most distinctive and appealing features of the cello as an instrument is its rich deep bass qualities, epitomized by the purity and substance of the open low C string. - Cellist Christopher … [Read more...]
Video of the Week: Old-School Sibelius from a Living Legend
For financial expediency, Sibelius composed many short pieces for the violin during the First World War (orchestras struggled, as musicians were called to the front). However, these inventive miniatures are sadly neglected nowadays. - Brendan Carroll, Hyperion When the name Jean Sibelius appears on a Heifetz Institute concert program, it's invariably in connection with his totemic Violin … [Read more...]
Videos of the YEAR: The Top Ten of Twenty Eighteen
Every week, we dip in to our robust multimedia archive to share with you some of the remarkable performances of Heifetz artists - students, faculty, and alumni - captured in concert. Whether it's in our "home base" of Mary Baldwin University's Francis Auditorium, in the Blackfriars Playhouse of the American Shakespeare Center, under the Hootenanny Tent, or any of our Heifetz On Tour venues, the … [Read more...]
Video Of The Week: Philippe Quint Plays the Red Violin Caprices on his Ruby Strad
“I just heard Philippe Quint’s new recording of my Red Violin Caprices and he was absolutely amazing.” – John Corigliano The Red Violin won composer John Corigiliano an Oscar for Best Original Movie Score, and in the process created a cottage industry for Heifetz faculty violinist Philippe Quint. who dazzled composer and critics alikes with his virtuosic performances - including the … [Read more...]
Video of the Week: Embracing Oblivion
This is one of Piazzolla's most traditional tangos, less jazzy and Bartókian than his other widely circulated compositions, yet it also has a harmonic sophistication and whispered sadness owing much to Antonio Carlos Jobim. - All Music Guide Our newest Video of the Week features a popular tango somewhat incongruously brought to life in the French countryside. Astor Piazzolla's Oblivion was … [Read more...]
