Program

Program Notes

Bach completed his cycle of three sonatas and three partitas for unaccompanied violin in 1720. By reducing his compositional resources to the absolute minimum, Bach displays the full harmonic and contrapuntal riches of his musical idiom on an instrument with a limited capacity for harmonic and contrapuntal textures. Indeed, these six works, the first two which will be performed tonight, represents a point of culmination in western music for the violin, setting a standard both in instrumental performance and compositional technique—standards that have lost none of their currency over the years.

Performer Biography

The Austrian-born violinist, Wolfgang David, has performed as both a recitalist and as a guest soloist with many leading orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berne Symphony Orchestra and New York Virtuosi, among others. He tours regularly throughout Europe, North and South America, as well as Japan, Korea and China. The winner of many competitions and prizes, David has performed in major halls such as the Konzerthaus and Musikverein in Vienna, Carnegie Hall in New York, Wigmore Hall and Cadogan Hall in London, Victoria Hall in Geneva, UNESCO Hall in Paris, the Philharmonie in Cologne, Bolshoi Hall in Moscow and at Bunka Kaikan in Tokyo. Wolfgang David performs on a violin built by Carlo Bergonzi, Cremona after 1724, on exclusive loan to him from the Austrian National Bank. Gompper has composed over ten major works including a Violin Concerto for Wolfgang David, who’s Naxos recording with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (8.559637) received wide critical acclaim. www.wolfgangdavid.com. www.wolfgangdavid.com.