Celebrating virtuoso violinist and teacher Charles Castleman, living link to Czech master pedagogue Otakar Sevcik (1852-1934).
Sevcik, renowned to this day as violinist and teacher, famously created his School of Violin Technique and Analytical Studies & Exercises, a method allowing string players to reach their potential in technical proficiency. Sevcik's teaching assistant, Emanuel Ondricek (1880-1958), was Charles Castleman's teacher when he was a young violinist. Castleman currently shares Ševčík's wealth of knowledge with his many students and thus carries the expressive and technical traditions of the Bohemian School of Violin Playing into the 21st century.
In this concert we will be treated to the music of Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, and Eugene Ysaye, who was Sevcik's friend and chamber music partner. In the beautiful venue of our Bohemian National Hall on UES, our audience will be treated to a multimedia presentation including live performance, historical recording, and even the experience of a violin lesson live on stage. We will learn why Sevcik's methods for violin, and string players generally, are powerful tools for achieving technical prowess and understand why musicians around the world continue to incorporate Sevcik's études into daily routines. This is an opportunity for music lovers to peek behind the veil of mystery surrounding the art of the violin, celebrate Charles Castleman and the lineage of generations of teachers and students.
PROGRAM
Antonin Dvorak, Humoresque No. 7, Opus 101 B. 187 for violin and piano
Bobby Boogyeom Park, violin
Welcome statement: Laura Jean Goldberg and Charles Castleman
Video: Dvorak – Ondricek, Waltzes Opus 54 No.1 in A Major and No. 4 in D Major
Charles Castleman, violin, and Claudia Hoca, piano
Violin lesson: Sevcik Analytical Studies & Exercises with power point display
Charles Castleman and Bobby Boogyeom Park
Historical audio recording: Tchaikovsky, Excerpt of Violin Concerto in D Major Opus 35
Charles Castleman Violin, Final Round of the 1963 Brussels Competition
— intermission —
Eugene Ysaye, Sonata no. 2
1. Obsession; Prelude
2. Malinconia
3. Danse des Ombres; Saraband
4. Les furies
Charles Castleman, violin
Felix Mendelssohn, Viola Quintet in A Major Opus 18
Allegro con motto
Intermezzo, Andante sostenuto
Scherzo, Allegro di molto
Allegro vivace
Charles Castleman, violin I, Laura Jean Goldberg, violin II, Liuh-Wen Ting, viola I, Laura Bossert, viola II, Robert La Rue, cello
General admission: $30; seniors, students: $20. Tickets may be purchased online through Eventbrite or at the door at the time of the event (cash only).
This event is organized by the Dvorak American Heritages Association with support of BBLA.