June 12, 2004

Joan Gross The Independent (Redwood City, California)
Redwood Symphony

It’s a mystery for the ages: who’s been fiddling with the fiddle? Its story and mysterious disappearances are faithfully described in the movie “The Red Violin” tracing the red violin’s journey from seventeenth-century Cremona, Italy to present-day Montreal, passing through Vienna, Oxford and even Shanghai. It was an Oscar winning score by John Corigliano featuring violinist Joshua Bell.

The Redwood Symphony will present “The Red Violin” performed by Karen Bentley of Palo Alto on June 13 in San Mateo. Bentley’s career has ranged from playing in and with renowned orchestras and ensembles around the world to progressive jazz.

“When I saw the movie, I was enthralled by the haunting melodies of Anna’s theme and impressed with the virtuoso string writing throughout the film. The quest for a violin as an extension of one’s inner voice requires consummate patience and luck. I have often pondered the pedigree of the special instruments that have passed through my hands and fantasized at the secrets and silences the instrument must keep. The loving caresses a violin has received throughout its lifetime permeate each tone that it projects,” Bentley said.

She was present at the world premiere of the Red Violin Chaconne starring Joshua Bell and the San Francisco Symphony. “I was captivated by the composition. From the opening impressionistic bars to the mesmerizing regularity of the chaconne rhythm which erupts into virtuoso passages catapulted by an aggressive orchestration. I am looking forward to my first performance of this marvelous addition to the repertoire,” Bentley said.

Born in Redwood City and raised in Palo Alto, Bentley was concertmaster of the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra while in high school. Later she attended Indiana University at the same time as Joshua Bell, both studying with Josef Gingold.

On this program is Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, one of the greatest landmarks of Western culture and a stirring ode to freedom and brotherhood. The orchestra will be joined by four vocalists: Christine Springer, soprano; Delia Voitoff-Bauman, alto; Mark Adams, tenor; John Minagro, baritone and the Schola Cantorum with Gregory Wait, Music Director. Wait is also senior lecturer and Director of Vocal Studies at Stanford University.

Beethoven had nursed the ambition of setting to music Schiller’s “Ode to Joy.” No symphony of his had taken so long to germinate with his feeling of dedication and expenditure of creative energy. In this symphony the composer produced an all-encompassing feeling of humanity, spirituality, and exaltation.

On May 7, 1824 in Vienna, Beethoven appeared on a public platform for the last time. The occasion was the premiere of his Ninth Symphony. Although stone-deaf, he conducted the masterpiece. When applause erupted, Beethoven was turned around by an assistant and a volcanic explosion of applause showing sympathy and admiration followed.

“Our performance of Beethoven’s Ninth will seem fresh as I’ve rethought the piece along the most recent musicological scholarship, especially concerning Beethoven’s metronome markings. This is my second time conducting this greatest of all works, and Im still amazed by its awesome difficulty,” Dr. Eric Kujawsky, Music Director said.

In addition “Un Sourire” (A Smile) by Oliver Messiaen will be heard. “This is Messiaen’s tribute to Mozart, and his last commissioned work. It combines the composer’s characteristic birdsongs with a more serene, heavenly music,” Dr. Kujawsky said.

There will be a preconcert lecture at 2 p.m. by Dr. William Meredith, director of the Beethoven Institute at San Jose State University. The concert begins at 3 p.m. Performance takes place at the San Mateo Performing Art Center, 600 North Delaware, San Mateo. Tickets are $20 at the door and $18 in advance. Children under 16 and students with ID are $12.

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