Audio Update

Amazing Grace: Blues / Improvisational Violin

Here is a somewhat dreamed version of Amazing Grace. Totally "improvised," it came out of what would be called jam sessions with my friend, the extraordinary pianist, Denny Hahn.

Denny and I had discover a few years ago that we really could "sinc" and connect musically. One day, we just started to play ... just play some great well-known Gospel hymns. We just let ourselves be directed by the Spirit, and... wow, it was good. Later we polished and defined how many times we would play the verse, chorus, etc. and how we would shape the mood. That was it. A totally impro-arrangement, nothing written down except for the song's sequence.

This is part of a Medley of hymns we did and played in a concert. Amazing Grace was the last piece.

Click on this link to listen to it (it's a wma file):

http://violinsong.com/audio/Amazing-Grace.wma

Dallas Symphony Summer Season

June 2006

HELLO SUMMER…

DSO GOES CASUAL, GETS CULTURAL

AND PRESENTS

A WORLD PREMIERE DANCE AND MUSIC CELEBRATION



June 2-3 Hispanic Cultural Festival

Gérman Gutiérrez, conductor

Santa Fe Quartet (June 2nd)

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitan (June 3rd)

Dallas Symphony Orchestra



The Dallas Symphony Orchestra's annual Hispanic Cultural Festival is a two-day long celebration and this year we're calling it Latiendo al Ritmo de mi Gente (Beating to the Rhythm of our People). Friday night's free concert featuring the Santa Fe Guitar Quartet and Conductor Gérman Gutiérrez. Then on Saturday night Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitan takes the stage along side the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for an unforgettable performance that can only be found at the Meyerson.



Tickets for the Santa Fe Quartet performance are free, but patrons must call 214.692.0203 to reserve their seats. Tickets for Mariachi Vargas are $15.00 - $85.00. For more information call 214.692.0203 or visit www.DallasSymphony.com.



June 7 & 14 Target Presents the Parks Concert Series

Danail Rachev, conductor

Dallas Symphony Orchestra



DSO Assistant Conductor Danail Rachev has big plans for our two June parks concerts. Starting at 8pm Maestro Rachev and the DSO present a musical evening in twilight with music from Duke Ellington, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Aaron Copland and Irving Berlin. The June 7th concert takes place at Campbell Green Park at 7000 Campbell Rd, Dallas. The June 14th concert takes place at Kiest Park, 2179 W Kiest Blvd, also in Dallas.



These concerts are free. For more information call 214.692.0203 or visit www.DallasSymphony.com.



June 9 City Arts Celebration

Danail Rachev, conductor

Dallas Symphony Orchestra



As part of the City Arts Celebration weekend June 9-11 the Dallas Symphony is proud to present a free concert at the Meyerson. Featuring both classical and pops selections this show is sure to get the celebration off to a great start.



This is a free concert. For more information call 214.692.0203 or visit www.DallasSymphony.com or DallasCityArts.com.



June 10 Casual Classics Concert Series

Danail Rachev, conductor

Anna Zhang, piano

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3

Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1

Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D major



Join the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for the first performance in our Casual Classics Concert Series sponsored by The Dallas Foundation. Come as you are and enjoy an early start time (7:30) and no intermission. Two Beethoven favorites start and end the concert, with a piano concerto from Liszt in between. Don't worry about dinner; we've got a special pre-concert BBQ planned for everyone who thinks they have a big enough appetite.



Ticket prices range from $10.00 - $50.00. For more information call 214.692.0203 or visit www.DallasSymphony.com. Extra charges apply for BBQ dinner.



June 11 Family Concert Series

Danail Rachev, conductor

Dallas Symphony Orchestra



The DSO is roundin' 'em up for this delightful re-creation of the rambunctious Wild West. We'll meet an array of colorful characters -- cowboys, gunslingers and the like -- as we thrill to the music of great American composers such as Copland (Rodeo) and John Williams, and gallop into the sunset to Rossini's William Tell Overture.



Ticket prices range from $10.00 -$30.00. For more information call 214.692.0203 or visit www.DallasSymphony.com.



June 16 African American Cultural Festival

Vincent Danner, conductor

Najee

Dallas Symphony Orchestra



The incredible Najee is the headliner for this one-night only performance. Performing alongside Conductor Vince Danner and the DSO, Najee takes a pure jazz approach to this special evening.



This is a free concert. For more information call 214.692.0203 or visit www.DallasSymphony.com.



June 17 Casual Classics Concert Series

Danail Rachev, conductor

Emanuel Borok, violin

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Mozart: Divertimento in D major

Vivaldi: Violin Concerto in C minor "Il Suspetto"

Tchaikovsky: Sérénade mélancolique

Debussy: Prélude à l'Après-midi d'une faune

Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919)



Saturday night is the perfect time to spend inside listening to the cool offerings of Conductor Danail Rachev and the DSO. Five different selections offer up a varied program than sure to please any classical music aficionado.

This concert starts at 7:30pm and is preceded by special summertime BBQ.



Ticket prices range from $10.00 - $50.00. For more information call 214.692.0203 or visit www.DallasSymphony.com. Extra charges apply for BBQ dinner.



June 22 Distinguished Artists Series

Dan Alcott, conductor

Dallas Black Dance Theatre

Dallas Symphony Orchestra



The DSO continues its series of ground-breaking collaborations with local organizations as it joins the Dallas Black Dance Theatre for a world premiere ballet based on the rich heritage of African-American music and dance. Members of the renowned company will dance on an extended stage as the orchestra performs Jonathan Bailey Holland's original score- a new work that resonates with jazz, gospel, blues and hip-hop influences. Don't miss it!



Ticket prices range from $25.00- $100.00. For more information call 214.692.0203 or visit www.DallasSymphony.com.



June 24 Casual Classics Concert Series

Arild Remmereit, conductor

Kit Armstrong, piano

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23

Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 3 Scottish



The final casual classic concert for June features a Mozart piano favorite and Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 3 Scottish. This concert is an excellent preview of what Vail audiences will hear at the DSO's farewell appearance at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival.



Ticket prices range from $10.00- $50.00. For more information call 214.692.0203 or visit www.DallasSymphony.com

How to play violin concerto fast virtuoso passages well.

My teacher, Sergei Gorbenko (from the Russian violin school) always had a quite simple solution to most problems with fast passages: Schradick. It is like his antidote for all dexterity problems. I always though that sounded very simplistic. BUT IT WORKS. Schradick exercises, practiced properly, work in many diferent levels. It can train the hand muscles for akward passages, increase accuracy of intonation, promote dexterity, and even bow control under difficult left hand difficulties.

I also have a very effective way to get warmed-up quickly and get my fingers in shape for fast violin virtuoso passages(for me, at least). I play a series of trills with all fingers in all possible finger patterns, with increasing speed on all strings. I do this at least in first, second, and third position. It will take you a few minutes and may be boring, but at the end, you will be ready to face those dreaded passages.

Rigo.