Celebrating Chris Zimmerman’s 15th Anniversary!
Chee-Yun & Kit Zimmerman, violin
Saturday, May 31 | 8pm
Center for the Arts at George Mason University
Christopher Zimmerman, conductor
PROGRAM
Elgar: Introduction and Allegro for Strings
Leshnoff: Concertante for Two Violins and Orchestra (East Coast Premiere)
Chee-Yun and Kit Zimmerman, violin
Shostakovich: Symphony No.10
Maestro Zimmerman's 15th Anniversary season culminates in a heartfelt program that pays tribute to his debut concert as Music Director with the FSO in 2009, where the Elgar and Shostakovich works were performed for the first time with the FSO. The evening opens with Elgar's vibrant "Introduction and Allegro for Strings," a masterful display of string virtuosity.
Next you will hear the East Coast Premiere of composer Jonathan Leshnoff's "Concertante for Two Violins and Orchestra," featuring virtuoso violinist Chee-Yun, an FSO audience favorite, and Maestro Zimmerman's son, Kit Zimmerman, a distinguished member of the 1st violin section of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Switzerland.
The program concludes with Shostakovich's powerful Symphony No. 10, an intense work exploring themes of personal and political struggle. Join us for this special tribute concert celebrating Maestro Zimmerman's remarkable leadership and vision.
The Leshnoff Concertante for Two Violins and Orchestra was commissioned by FSO Board Chairman José “Pepe” Figueroa in honor of The Figueroa Strad and in memory of his father, legendary violinist Pepito Figueroa.
THE STORY
“There is only one person to whom I will sell this Stradivarius violin.” Those words started an amazing, multi-generational, international saga that culminates in this commissioned piece.
The piece honors Pepito Figueroa of the legendary Puerto Rican musical Figueroa family dynasty, who was known as the most extraordinary Puerto Rican violinist and teacher of all time, and the “Figueroa Stradivarius.”
In 1945, when many top violinists rushed to New York City to play a Stradivarius that was up for sale, the owner’s widow was so impressed by the playing of 40-year-old Pepito Figueroa, the final musician allowed the opportunity to play the instrument, that she vowed she would only sell it to him. Unfortunately, he did not have the funds to allow him to purchase it. A friend of the family in Puerto Rico, which owned the island’s top newspaper El Mundo, put the story on the front page and within days, enough people from around Puerto Rico had donated money to purchase the instrument, and a lifelong career in performance and teaching was launched. Quite a career in fact – the final violin lesson he taught was at age 93 from his hospital bed; he passed away peacefully 4 hours later.
Now the next generation of musical Figueroas intends for this family dynasty’s legendary treasure to come full circle. The Pepito Figueroa Stradivarius violin is in the process of being sold, and the proceeds from the sale will be donated to the people of Puerto Rico, who are still rebuilding from the 2017 Hurricane Maria.
To commemorate this life and legend, Pepito’s son, Pepe Figueroa, commissioned composer Jonathan Leshnoff to write a piece for two violins and piano, to be performed by his famed musical cousins Guillermo Figueroa Jr., Narciso Figueroa Jr., and pianist Ivonne Figueroa. Leshnoff and Christopher Zimmerman then collaborated on the idea of orchestrating the piece for full orchestra and two violins, which will be premiered on the East Coast at this concert with commissioner Pepe Figueroa in attendance.
THE MUSIC
The Concertante for Two Violins and Orchestra is in three movements. Originally written for two violins and piano, the challenge in this piece was to balance two solo instruments with the same timbre and register with a full orchestra. You may notice that the wind sections are smaller, with no trombones, tuba, or extensive percussion. The piece captures the arc of Pepito Figueroa’s career, and ultimate passing on of one violin to another.
The first movement is somber and introspective with long, lyrical lines. The second movement is a lively scherzo, and the triumphant third movement is full of musical virtuosic fireworks, incorporating the original lyrical theme which is now transformed into a brilliant finale.
PRE-CONCERT DISCUSSION - 7PM on the stage
Join us before the concert for a discussion with music director and conductor, Christopher Zimmerman, with violinists, Chee-Yun & Kit Zimmerman.
