On the evening of May 12, the world-renowned violinist Pinchas Zukerman appeared in the National Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall, performing hand in hand with pianist Shai Woessner to support the 2024 National Center for the Performing Arts May Music Festival. Previously, Zuckerman had left unforgettable concerto and ensemble performances on the Grand Theater stage. In this solo debut, he brought three Beethoven violin sonatas and has performed for more than half a century. After settling, Manxuan's thoughts showed off the style of a master.
That night, Zuckerman and his long-time partner pianist Shay Woessner performed Beethoven's three distinctive violin sonatas. Beethoven's sonatas have always been a "touchstone" for soloists. Zuckerman's performance not only restored the works to the greatest extent, but also showed his signature personal color.
The concert kicked off with Beethoven's "Violin Sonata No. 1 in D major". This early masterpiece, composed in 1797, vaguely shows Beethoven's inheritance of the Viennese classical style. The whole song begins with a lively Allegro and ends with a cheerful Rondo after the beautiful Andante. In this work, we can see the shadows of Mozart and Haydn, as well as the prototype of Beethoven's style. The balance and harmony between the violin and the piano fully demonstrate the sparks created by the tacit cooperation of the performers. Another work in the first half is Beethoven's most well-known "Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major "Spring"". When Zuckerman played the opening theme, it was beautiful but not greasy and especially fresh and clear. His calm and rational temperament made the pastoral atmosphere in the work more prominent, adding a tranquil and friendly charm to the spring breeze.
Photography/Wang Xiaojing
In the second half of the concert, two artists performed Beethoven's "Violin Sonata No. 7 in C minor". This sonata, composed in 1802, was born during a difficult period when Beethoven was suffering from illness and many difficulties, and therefore bred amazing vitality and musical energy. At this time, Beethoven's creation has entered a mature stage, and in addition to his comfortable composition, more surging and deeper emotions are ready to emerge. Zuckerman's interpretation of this work is extremely exquisite, with heaviness and brightness, humor and solemnity, tenderness and struggle jumping between fingertips and bowstrings. What is even more rare is Zuckerman's consistent sense of proportion. This kind of control allows the composer not to be overwhelmed by excessive emotional expressions, but to approach with all his contradictions and thoughts in the performer's interpretation that reaches people's hearts. into the hearts of the audience.
Throughout the entire concert, Zuckerman once again showed his charming grace and profound cultivation in music. The natural and simple processing revealed the seriousness and research of a generation of string masters. This passion, depth and explosive power hidden in simplicity impressed the audience, and also brought profound music that spans hundreds of years to the May night.
In an artistic career spanning more than fifty years, Pinchas Zuckerman has won two Grammy Awards and been nominated for 21 Grammy Awards. The more than one hundred records he has recorded are not only best-sellers on the classical music charts, but also must-haves and treasures in the hearts of music fans. Zuckerman is known for his delicacy, and his playing always mesmerizes with just the right amount of restraint. As a soloist, he is active in major music festivals and major classical music towns, and has collaborated with countless conductors and famous symphony orchestras. After 1995, Zuckerman has visited China many times to provide Chinese music fans with a feast of string music.
Although he has long been famous in the music industry, Zuckerman continues to climb the peak of music. On the day of the performance, Zuckerman was interviewed along with pianist Shay Woessner. Zuckerman said, "The three identities of violinist, violist and conductor were slowly derived from my growth. For me, they are all creating music. After I came into contact with the viola, I often played the violin At that time, the sound of the viola appeared in my mind. This understanding of the harmonious symbiosis between music laid a solid foundation for me to later become a conductor. "I am still in the process of climbing, and I practice a little every day." Take another step forward. If you reach the peak one day, the most difficult thing is to maintain the self-discipline of an artist. I must open the piano box every day. , take the trouble to contact the basic skills.Learning, self-discipline, and continuous improvement are life itself. There is nothing else in my life but music. "
Text/Beijing Youth Daily reporter Tian Wanting
photography/Beijing Youth Daily reporter Li Na
editor/Qiao Ying
