Washington Performing Arts presented violinist Ray Chen and pianist Julio Elizalde at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater Thursday night. It was the first performance of the 2014-15 Virtuoso Series and Ray Chen’s debut with Washington Performing Arts. The program included selections from Mozart, Beethoven and Pablo de Sarasate.
Pianist Julio Elizade has a niche for performing with virtuoso violinists. He has performed with renown artists such as Sarah Chang, Pamela Frank, Itzhak Perlman and Andrew Wan. I feel Ray Chen fits into this category of violinist. This was a superb pairing, bringing together musicians of such high caliber. They complimented each other well on stage.
The program included Mozart Violin Sonata in A Major, K. 305, Sarasate Habanera, Op. 21 No. 2, Playera, Op. 23 No. 1, Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20 and Beethoven Violin Sonata No. 9. The program had such variety. You had serious composers such as Mozart and Beethoven and then Sarasate whose music is more whimsical with a Spanish flare. Mr. Chen described Sarasate’s Habanera as being a showpiece presentation. Normally Mr. Chen would end his concerts with this type of number but felt on this occasion Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No. 9 was more appropriate. Mr. Chen compared it to having dessert before your main dish. It was well conceived; I personally liked the idea of performing Sarasate first just because I couldn’t wait to hear it.
Ray Chen qualifies as a virtuoso. As a young virtuoso he is very disciplined. That was apparent as he performed Habanera. The works of Sarasate are so lively it’s easy to get carried away. That was not the case during this performance. Mr. Chen was astonishingly precise – so precise it emitted a sense of euphoria. Mr. Chen performing Sarasate is immensely entertaining. He captivates you with merit through execution. It’s wasn’t a show, it was a miraculous feat.
The final piece, Beethoven Sonata No. 9, was described by Mr. Chen as Beethoven’s finest violin sonata. The mix of ferocity and elegance makes it unmistakable among Beethoven sonatas. That ferocity was on display by Mr. Chen so much so it frayed the hairs on his violin bow while he played. It wasn’t as though Mr. Chen played aggressively or with intense concentration, it was just the the nature of the score. Mr. Chen was actually casual with his approach, he smiled as he played. He appeared to be enjoying himself just as much as the audience was.
To show their appreciation Mr. Chen and Mr. Elizade concluded with two encore finales. Sarasate’s Introduction and Tarantella and an additional number. Nobody seemed to mind the extra music. I was actually excited he played more Sarasate. The whole program could have been Sarasate and I wouldn’t have minded.
This was a marvelous concert! It was fantastic talent in a great setting. The sweet sounds of violin playing was a splendid center piece for an autumn Kennedy Center Terrace Theater concert. The whole experience was artful and satisfying.
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