(PRINCETON, NJ) -- Violinist Stefan Jackiw will join pianist Jeremy Denk at Princeton University Concerts on November 7 at 8:00pm. The two musicians perform the complete Violin Sonatas of Charles Ives, with the songs that inspired them. The program also features members of the Princeton University Glee Club under the direction of Gabriel Crouch. The performance takes place in Richardson Auditorium.
When insurance-salesman-by-day/modernist-composer-by night Charles Ives invited violinist Franz Milcke to read through his violin sonatas, he recollects that his friend “didn’t even get through the first page... After he went, I had a kind of feeling which I’ve had off and on… Are my ears on wrong? No one else seems to hear it the same way.” Leave it to PUC fan-favorite, Avery Fisher Career Grant-winning violinist Stefan Jackiw and MacArthur “Genius” Award-winning pianist Jeremy Denk to prove that all was quite well with Ives’ ears as they skillfully guide us, in reverse order, from the raucous fourth violin sonata to the exuberant spontaneity of the first. By interspersing Ives’ sonatas with the popular Americana classics—hymns, songs, marches—that he imbued in these works with some help from members of the Princeton University Glee Club, the duo humanizes and contextualizes some of the most substantial, yet rarely heard, music in the violin repertory by an American composer.
Tickets range from $25 to $55 (student tickets are $10 with valid ID) and are available for purchase online.
Stefan Jackiw is one of America’s foremost violinists, captivating audiences with playing that combines poetry and purity with an impeccable technique. Hailed for playing of "uncommon musical substance" that is “striking for its intelligence and sensitivity” (Boston Globe), Jackiw has appeared as soloist with the Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, New York, Philadelphia, and San Francisco symphony orchestras, among others.
Jeremy Denk is one of America’s foremost pianists. Winner of a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship, and the Avery Fisher Prize, Denk was recently elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Denk returns frequently to Carnegie Hall and in recent seasons has appeared with the Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and Cleveland Orchestra, as well as on tour with Academy St. Martin in the Fields, and at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms.
Professor Andrew Lovett talks with Director of Choral Activities Gabriel Crouch about the evening's program at 7:00pm, free to ticketholders.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
CHARLES IVES Violin Sonata No. 4
STITES / SWENEY “Beulah Land”
LOWRY / HAWKS “I Need Thee Every Hour”
CHARLES IVES Violin Sonata No. 3
BARTHÉLEMON / ROBINSON “Autumn”
CHARLES IVES Violin Sonata No. 2
ROOT / NELSON “Shining Shore”
ROOT “Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! The Boys Are Marching”
KIALLMARK / WOODWORTH “The Old Oaken Bucket”
MASON / COGHILL “Work Song”
CHARLES IVES Violin Sonata No. 1
Richardson Auditorium is located in Alexander Hall, located on the Princeton University Campus behind Nassau Presbyterian Church at 61 Nassau Street in Princeton, New Jersey.
