Ilya Kaler, Violin
Rasa Vitkauskaite, Piano
With special guests Paquito D'Rivera, Jonathan Cohler, Dave Eggar, and Gregg August
Bridgetower Project celebrates the remarkable story of George Bridgetower, the Afro-European violin virtuoso for whom Beethoven originally wrote his Violin Sonata No. 9, long known as the “Kreutzer.” Violinist Ilya Kaler, the first-prize winner at the Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, and Paganini Competitions, is joined by pianist and Steinway Artist Rasa Vitkauskaite, along with multiple Grammy Award winner Paquito D’Rivera and other distinguished artists. The evening includes the world premiere of D’Rivera’s new chamber work, inspired by Bridgetower’s only surviving composition.
Performers
Program
PRICE Adoration (arr. for violin and piano by Elaine Fine)
RITA DOVE Selections from Sonata Mulattica
BEETHOVEN Violin Sonata No. 9 in A Major, Op. 47, "Bridgetower"
STILL Suite for Violin and Piano (arr. for clarinet and piano by Jonathan Cohler)
PAQUITO D'RIVERA New Work (World Premiere)
And additional works by Paquito D'Rivera