International Violin Competition of Indianapolis - 2007—2008 Laureate Series "SPARKS WILL FLY"

Laureate Series
The Laureate Series was created to present the top six winners of each competition in chamber music collaborations and solo recitals. Since the first International Violin Competition of Indianapolis in 1982, many of these performers have gone on to successful careers as concert violinists, recording artists, concertmasters and chamber musicians. Through this series, audiences can reconnect with the artists and once again enjoy their performances.

All concerts are open to the public. For subscription and single ticket information call the IVCI offices at (317) 637-4574 or e-mail ivci@violin.org.

SEASON OPENER

September 16 — 5:30 PM
Celeste Golden, soloist,
2006 IVCI Bronze Medalist, United States
with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
Indiana History Center Basile Theater
450 W. Ohio Street - Indianapolis

Program
Rossini Overture to La Cenerentola (Cinderella)
Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2
Beethoven Symphony No. 7

Feature performances by our Laureates will be presented in collaboration with some of the area's finest organizations this season. Celeste Golden, the 23-year-old Texan and 2006 Bronze Medalist, opens the series with Prokofiev's passionately lyrical Second Violin Concerto, in concert with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra on September 16 at 5:30 at the Indiana History Center. Tickets: 317-940-9607.

"Golden went well beyond the usual assets of flawless intonation and high-tech facility. This was phrasing and articulation of deeply innate musicality..." — Dallas Morning News

CASWELL'S JAZZ CABARET
Stellar live jazz...exceptional setting!

November 15 — 7:30 PM
Sara Caswell, jazz violin
Indiana History Center Lilly Hall
450 W. Ohio Street - Indianapolis

This season's musical "crossover" event will be a cabaret-style performance by an acoustic jazz trio led by violinist Sara Caswell, a 2002 IVCI participant. Pianist Steve Allee, bassist Jeremy Allen, and guest vocalist Rachel Caswell will join Sara in "Caswell's Jazz Cabaret, Stellar live jazz... exceptional setting!" Presented in collaboration with the Indiana Historical Society, Lilly Hall will be transformed into an intimate cabaret setting where the artists perform their takes on the standards and original compositions.

Sara Caswell, a Bloomington native and Indiana University graduate, is now living in New York City where she has released her second solo CD "But Beautiful." Her extensive training in bebop and hard bop, combined with her technical mastery of the violin and her emotional mastery of the standard jazz catalogue has inspired rave reviews and prolific music honors.

"...Caswell is stellar and subtle with a technique that is formidable without being showy. She can also swing like mad. What a gift for improvisation!" — jazzreview.com

RONEN AND ROBILLIARD   

February 26 — 7:30 PM
Virginie Robilliard, violin

1990 IVCI Laureate, France
with the Ronen Chamber Ensemble
Indiana History Center Basile Theater
450 W. Ohio Street - Indianapolis

Program:
Bartók Contrasts for Clarinet, Violin and Piano
Chausson Poème for Violin and Piano
Ravel Tzigane for Violin and Piano
Ravel Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Strings, Flute and Clarinet

The Indianapolis-based Ronen Chamber Ensemble is known for their inventive programming. Eclectic chamber music and new works inspire an enthusiastic following. This long-time collaborator of our Competition's Laureates will perform with French violinist Virginie Robilliard, a Laureate from the 1990 IVCI, on Tuesday, February 26th. Centering on music at the cusp or early in the 20th century, the primarily French program will warm the History Center's Basile Theater.

Virginie Robilliard has performed extensively throughout her native France and the world in recital, in chamber music, and as a concerto soloist with many orchestras. Her New York debut, at the age of nineteen, received critical acclaim from The New York Times for her performance of Bartók's Violin Concerto. Miss Robilliard currently makes her home in Caracas, Venezuela where she created a community school of music for violin with the support of the Cisneros Foundation of The Mozarteum Center.

"Miss Robilliard's technique and command of color were impressive. In the lyrical parts of the work, she produced a tone that was round and singing". — The New York Times

SPARKS WILL FLY   

March 11 — 7:30 PM
Ju-Young Baek, violin
1998 Bronze Medalist, South Korea
with Akira Eguchi, piano
In Recital
Indiana History Center Basile Theater
450 W. Ohio Street - Indianapolis

Program:
Janácek Sonata for violin and piano
BrahmsSonata No. 2 in A major for violin and piano, Op. 100
Wieniawski Scherzo-Tarantelle, Op. 16
Wieniawski Capriccio-Valse, Op. 7
Ernst Variations on "The Last Rose of Summer" for solo violin
Rachmaninoff Vocalise
Paganini "Moses" Variations on a G String

Ju Young Baek is a prolific competition winner and has performed extensive solo engagements in many of the world's cultural centers. In 2005, she was appointed the youngest violin faculty member in history of the Seoul National University. The Longmont, Colorado Times-Call wrote that Ms. Baek is "...a young violinist whose scintillating pyrotechnics and sensitive musicality left the audience breathless." Mr. Eguchi's recent performing work has captured the attention of audiences and critics worldwide.

THE SILVER LINING   

April 8 — 7:30 PM
Simone Lamsma, violin
2006 Silver Medalist, The Netherlands
In Recital
Indiana History Center Basile Theater 450 W. Ohio Street - Indianapolis

Program:
Mozart Adagio in E major, KV 261
Ravel Violin Sonata in G major
Grieg Violin Sonata No.3 in C minor
Ysaÿe Sonata No.4 for Solo Violin in E minor
Fauré Violin Sonata in A major

Simone Lamsma, the Dutch violinist who won the Silver Medal at the 2006 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, will play her first professional engagement in the United States in Indianapolis. Her crystalline technique and charming stage presence will breathe new life into some of the most beautiful music written for the violin.

"This is deliciously romantic playing, with its touches of portamento, rich, expressive vibrato and melodic subtlety." — The Strad

DAZZLING VIRTUOSITY   

May 11 — 2:30 PM
Stefan Milenkovich, violin
1994 Silver Medalist, Yugoslavia
with the Indiana University Violin Virtuosi
Indiana History Center Basile Theater
450 W. Ohio Street - Indianapolis

Program features:
Piazzolla Four Seasons in Buenos Aires

Stefan Milenkovich, the Yugoslavian violinist who holds the distinction of being the youngest Laureate in IVCI history, will bring his sizzling magnetism to the intimate stage of the Indiana History Center. Add to the mix the chance to see some of Indiana's most talented violinists.

The Indiana University Violin Virtuosi will perform with Stefan in a virtuoso duel. Located on the downtown Central Canal, this perfect setting is a wonderful place to spend a quality Mother's Day.

Led by Mimi Zweig, the IU Violin Virtuosi is a collection of musicians from one of the most prestigious violin training programs in the United States. These young artists between the ages of 10 and 17 perform both as soloists and as an ensemble and have appeared on public radio and television and in concert at Carnegie Hall. Their performances abroad include tours of Spain, France, Germany and Japan. A recent Emmy-nominated film entitled "Circling Around" documents this remarkable program.

"Violinist Stefan Milenkovich's recital at the Kennedy Center was so disarmingly magical that it is not easy to describe its glories. This is not so much a matter of a dazzling virtuosity (though he has it all) as of searching musicianship." — The Washington Post