On 13 August, I attended the anniversary concert/summer recital of Duo Appassionato on Muse Isle Northwest at the Muse Isle Ocean Amphitheater. The stage is perched above the water, accessible by a ramp. Seating draped in white lent an elegant atmosphere to the venue.
Izabela is engaging and personable and did most of the speaking. An interesting coupling of violinists, she is Polish and Young is Chinese. Izabela was dressed in a beautiful pink gown and Young in a tux (I felt severely underdressed in my jeans and tank top!).
The first piece they performed was Duet for 2 Violins in G major, composed by Mazas. Mazas was a brilliant pupil of Pierre Baillot at the Paris Conservatoire, from which he received the first prize in 1805. His compositions for violin are, for the most part, studies and duets for young string players of all abilities that constitute methods for both violin and viola.
This was followed by 3 pieces, capriccios, originally written by Henryk Wieniawski, for he and his brother. It is a unique arrangement only available in Poland. The arrangement was compiled by 2 virtuoso concert violinists who wanted to perform together in 2 equal parts. The result of that collaboration is just awesome. Henryk Wieniawski was "unquestionably considered 'a violinist of genius,' an artist of great individuality, intensity of expression, and original technique. The influence of his technique is still evident in the style of some violinists. Izabela actually studied at a school in Lublin, Poland, where Wieniawski was born and lived.
Following that arrangement was Antonio Vivaldi's "Le quattro stagioni," or The Four Seasons. This is his most famous work of 1723 (part of Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione or The Contest between Harmony and Invention). In essence, it resembles an early example of a tone poem, where he attempted to capture all the moods of the four seasons. Born in 1678, Vivaldi worked in a Hospedale, or boarding house,for the illegitimate girls of nobelmen, where they had music of the highest standard. He composed "Le quattro stagioni" for those girls.
Wrapping up their set was Bach's Concerto by 2 violins and their trademark piece, written entitled "Passacaglia" by Handel-Halvorsen. Halvorsen was a Norwegian violinist, composer and conductor. He studied at the Stockholm Conservatory, as well as in Leipzig, Berlin and Leige. He was appointed conductor of the theatre in Bergen in 1892, and served as conductor of the Christiania National Theatre from 1899-1929, where he directed over 25 operas as well as orchestral concerts. Halvorsen's compositions developed from the national romantic tradition of Grieg and Svendson but in a distinctive style marked by brilliant orchestration.
The Passacaglia is taken from Suite #7 in G Minor where it serves as the sixth movement. This work is very demanding on the performers; part of its virtuosity entails having the two instruments simulate the sonority of a string quartet, through the use of double stops (the playing of two or more tones simultaneously on the violin and related string instruments). The Passacaglia is a form of baroque music said to derive from a Spanish dance.
Overall, Duo Appassionato gives a beautiful and lively performance. I was again amazed by their incredible skill and immense talent. They possess a musical harmony and spirit and flair that makes for a refreshing stage presence. Many of the pieces they perform are considered very demanding pieces and yet they do them so well. I had seen Izabela once before as part of another small group, comprised of Clarissima and Kahuna Schumann. This is a must see for the classical music fan.By Shellie Sands
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