ROCO violinist, Maureen Nelson, will present a chamber concert on Sunday afternoon, March 4th, 4:00pm, at Gremillion & Co. Fine Art, 2501 Sunset.
Maureen keeps a busy touring schedule with engagements both across the US and abroad. She is a founding member and first violinist of the Grammy-nominated Enso String Quartet, which formed while Maureen earned her Master’s degree at Yale University. A two-time winner of the Greenfield Competition, Maureen appeared as soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra both in 1990 and 1991, and has since enjoyed international success as a chamber musician, soloist and orchestral player.
Maureen talks to us about this concert:
I’m super excited about Sunday’s recital. Being busy with quartet and chamber music, it’s been a long time since I’ve performed some solid violin repertoire– so I chose a program with some of my favorite violin-y pieces! First, I’ll start with Rochberg Caprice-Variations for solo violin (written in 1970). They are based on Paganini’s 24th Caprice and there are 50 Variations–that would total about 1 hour of music! Needless to say, I’ve pared it down a bit. I’ll do ten of them (Rochberg gave permission for performers to choose selections). Next will be a couple of “showtunes”: William Bolcom’s Graceful Ghost (which is a sort of nostalgic rag) and Sarasate’s Romanza Andaluza (pure violin fun!!) I’ll end the program with the Franck Sonata, one of the most beautiful violin/piano sonatas in existence. I realized that I studied the Franck in school but had never actually performed it. This Sunday will change that!
I will be joined by the spectacular pianist Melissa Marse. She and I were both at Yale and enjoyed playing in a trio together. I found out recently that she settled in Houston just last year and have been looking for an opportunity to join forces with her again! If you want to get to know her a little more, here is her website: www.melissamarse.com
Hope to see some of you on Sunday….and I’m looking forward to sampling (post-recital for me) this ROCO-tini I’ve heard all about!
This event is FREE and open to the public.
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