George Gershwin

Program notes

Chaconne
The Italian composer Tommaso Vitali began his career as a musician at the age of twelve. Vitali wrote several works, but he is best known for the virtuosic Chaconne. A chaconne is built over a recurring harmonic pattern and often involves variations on a theme. Vitali's Chaconne fits this definition well, and the variations grow increasingly difficult as the piece progresses. Ironically, although the Chaconne is frequently attributed to Vitali, most historians agree that this work was written long after 1700.

Chinese Puzzle Rebecca Clarke was born in England but spent most of her adulthood in the United States. Considered one of the premier violists of her day, Clarke gave concerts around the world and was one of the first women invited to play in a professional (and formerly all-male) orchestra. She also achieved fame through her many compositions. Chinese Puzzle is based on a tune that she remembered a Chinese friend humming for her. The violin part is almost exclusively pizzicato which is meant to replicate the sound of a traditional Chinese instrument.

The Butterfly Lovers' Concerto Chinese composers Chen Gang and He Zhanhao both studied at the Shanghai Conservatory and continued there as professors after graduation. Their collaboration on The Butterfly Lovers' Concerto was a major success. Many of the tunes in the concerto are borrowed from the local opera style of Zhejiang Province where He Zhanhao was born. The music tells a tragic love story in which the lovers are only united after death when their souls are transfigured into butterflies which escape from the tomb.

Baal Shem The Swiss-born composer Ernest Bloch played a major role in developing some of the premiere music conservatories in the United States including the Cleveland Institute of Music and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Although he excelled in many musical styles, Bloch firmly established his Jewish identity through his compositions. The success of his work in the United States allowed him to relocate his family and escape the anti-Semitism that would sweep Europe during World War II. Baal Shem tells the story of a devout Chassidic Jew in ecstasy over his communion with an omnipresent God. The highly emotional suite expresses deep mourning, great intensity, and overwhelming joy as the person encounters God in everyday life.

It Ain't Necessarily So The son of Russian immigrants, George Gershwin is considered one of the great American composers. Much of his musical inspiration came from African-American musical styles such as ragtime, blues, and jazz. After reading DuBose Heyward's novel Porgy, Gershwin was inspired to write Porgy and Bess, a full scale 'folk opera' about the African-American experience. An arranger as well as performer, violin virtuoso Jascha Heifetz transcribed several songs from the opera for violin and piano including It Ain't Necessarily So.

Dedication

To my parents who supported and encouraged my girlhood dream of playing the violin.
To my brothers, Wade, Will, Caleb, and Christian who patiently sat through many recitals, and to my sister Raeshana, our own little Chinese piece of the puzzle.
To Mimi, Mr. Miller, and Dr. Brown who have nurtured my musical growth by their instruction and example.
To Olivia, my little bouncing metronome, no one has heard me practice more than she has.
 To Josh, we are each others' biggest fans!
 And to God be the glory forever and ever, amen.