SUBSCRIBE TO OUR RSS FEEDrss feed
advertisement 1
advertisement
SEARCH:

World Renowned Violinist Helps Children Get to Carnegie Hall



by STAFF REPORTS
Published: Friday, January 16, 2009 | 4:05 PM


A rare opportunity to hear and meet a world-renowned concert violinist in an intimate local setting – and to support classical music for youth – is coming on the evening of February 7, 2009 at the Oneonta Church.

Violin virtuoso and South Pasadena resident Hagai Shaham will perform at a benefit gala for the South Pasadena Children’s Orchestra trip to Carnegie Hall. The evening will include a concert, dinner, a talk by Shaham followed by an open discussion and a silent auction.

Violinist Hagai Shaham

Violinist Hagai Shaham

Shaham, who was born and raised in Israel, began playing violin at 6. He has soloed at Carnegie Hall five times, and performed with all the world’s leading orchestras, including the American Symphony, the (British) Royal Philharmonic, the BBC Orchestra, the Prague Philharmonic, the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and the Israel Philharmonic under Zubin Mehta. He has also performed with Isaac Stern, Shlomo Mintz, Pinchas Zuckerman, and many more.

Shaham has recorded 18 critically-acclaimed CDs. Critics laud his “dazzling combination of technical brilliance and a uniquely profound musical personality.”

Shaham’s performance at the gala will include pieces by Ernest Bloch, Fritz Kreisler and Jeno Hubay. Shaham notes that the great Hungarian composer Hubay “was the teacher of my teacher,” renowned violin educator Ilona Feher.

The South Pasadena Children’s Orchestra will also preview their Carnegie Hall program. Shaham and the children will perform a Bach Minuet together.

The South Pasadena Children’s Orchestra is made up of musicians age 5-11. The award-winning group has been invited to perform at New York City’s Carnegie Hall on April 1, and all proceeds from the benefit gala will help the orchestra pay for the trip.

“We are so happy to have the Shaham family as part of our program. He has two talented children who play with us, Noga on violin, and Naomi on bass. Hagai has been a musical inspiration to the children.” He is also a talented and daring photographer, Pascale notes: “He climbed a 10-foot ladder to take the official picture of the orchestra which will appear in the Carnegie program. We were all holding our breath hoping he wouldn’t fall onto his arm!” Hagai has helped the orchestra in other ways, making surprise appearances with the children at the Farmer’s Market and on the streets of Old Town, as they play to raise funds for the New York trip.

Pascale also expressed her gratitude to the Oneonta Church for hosting the event. “A few months ago, we were looking for a space to hold the concert, and stopped in at the Oneonta Church. Hagai brought his violin to check the acoustics. Rev. Doug Brandt walked in, and generously volunteered to host the entire event!”

The February 7 evening at the Oneonta Church at 1515 Garfield Ave., South Pasadena, will also include wine and cheese before the performance; a catered dinner; a talk by Shaham about the life of a musician, followed by a discussion period; and a silent auction.

Tickets are $75 for the entire program. Advance reservations are required and seating is limited. For more information, to make to donation, or to purchase tickets, go to www.stringsprogram.com or call the South Pasadena Strings Program at 626-403-4611.

Shaham’s recordings can be heard at his website, www.HagaiShaham.com.



Readers Comments