Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' To Be Performed In Phoenixville

PHOENIXVILLE, PA -- The Philadelphia area’s “most celebrated classical violinist” is coming to the borough.

The Four Seasons of Vivaldi and Piazzola will play in Phoenixville on February 21.

Under the musical direction of Maestro Michael Butterman, the Pennsylvania Philharmonic will continue its season with Four Seasons of Vivaldi and Piazzolla.

Internationally acclaimed soloist and concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, David Kim will join the Pennsylvania Philharmonic in infusing the music of 18th century Italy with the beauty of the tango in three regional performances: February 19 – Allentown, February 20 – West Chester, and February 21 – Phoenixville.

Longtime friends Michael Butterman and David Kim first worked together professionally this past October when Butterman guest conducted the Philadelphia Orchestra. Classical music’s power-duo reunite as maestro and soloist in a rare intimate performance of both the Italian and Argentinian concerti interspersed, traveling between centuries and seasons—celebrating the notion that at any given moment there exist opposite seasons in each hemisphere.

Pennsylvania Philharmonic’s communities will get to experience one of classical music’s most esteemed violinists, “This series of concerts with the Pennsylvania Philharmonic presents a perfect convergence of circumstances for me: a wonderful new orchestra led by a superb conductor, repertoire which I love that is a homerun with the audience every time, and dear musician friends to share the stage with. I also look forward to seeing many friends and fans in communities where I have not yet performed,” explains Mr. Kim.

The Four Seasons of Vivaldi and Piazzolla breathes a new vitality into Vivaldi’s work without compromising its essence, while introducing audiences to Piazzolla’s striking, lesser known, and eminently worthy 20th century composition. “We’ll have the old and new complementing one another, and will present audiences both the familiar and an opportunity for ‘discovery’ at these performances. The Four Seasons of Vivaldi and Piazzolla reveals the more modern and daring aspects of Vivaldi’s famous concertos while underscoring Piazzolla’s classicism,” explains Butterman.

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons are among the best-known and most familiar classical works ever written, heard on everything from commercials to ringtones. Inspiration from these concerti is present in the works of many composers, perhaps none more so than Astor Piazzolla, preeminent Argentinian composer. As Vivaldi revolutionized the concerto in the 18th century, so Piazzolla in the 20th century modernized the tango and infused the classical genre with dance rhythms and harmonies. Piazzolla used Vivaldi’s music as a point of departure for his own Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, a set of tango compositions that reference pieces of music from Vivaldi’s much older Italian concertos.

Performing a popular arrangement of Piazzolla’s Four Seasons by Russian bassist Leonid Desyatnikov, both works feature a string orchestra with harpsichord which allows the PA Philharmonic to present the Four Seasons of Vivaldi and Piazzolla in acoustically intimate community venues—Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre at West Chester University, the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, and Phoenixville Area School District’s newly built state-of-the-art auditorium.

There is a great deal of spontaneity written into both works, allowing Kim many opportunities to improvise and to change the direction of energy in each performance, and also the PA Philharmonic to influence and respond to his interpretations and expression. “Kim’s remarkable degree of lyricism, poetry and impeccable virtuosity has gripped the ears of audiences throughout the world. To be able to work with someone of his stature is a great honor for us and we are looking forward to sharing his artistry with our communities,” shared Butterman.

Regarded as one of the best ensembles in the world, David Kim was named Concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra in 1999. His decorated career includes teaching/performance residencies at Oberlin College, Bob Jones University, and The Boston Conservatory of Music, continued appearances as concertmaster of the All-Star Orchestra on PBS stations across the USA and online at the Kahn Academy; recitals, speaking engagements, and appearances with orchestras across the United States; multiple solo performances with The Philadelphia Orchestra, conducting; and the launching of the first annual David Kim Orchestral Institute of Cairn University in Philadelphia where he is also a Professor of Violin Studies.

Mr. Kim appears as soloist with The Philadelphia Orchestra each season as well as with numerous orchestras around the world. He also appears internationally at festivals such as Brevard, MasterWorks (USA) and Pacific (Japan). Mr. Kim has been awarded Honorary Doctorates from Eastern University in suburban Philadelphia, the University of Rhode Island, and Dickinson College. His instruments are a J.B. Guadagnini from Milan, Italy ca. 1757 on loan from The Philadelphia Orchestra and a Michael Angelo Bergonzi from Cremona ca. 1754.