Paganini Concerto to Commemorate Quin-centennial of Leonardo da Vinci
David Park continues to enjoy a year of many challenges and successes. Earlier this season, Park played what is widely considered the most musically difficult piece in the violin canon: Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Next week, he will perform the most technically difficult when he will appear as soloist with the Crown City Symphony to perform Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 1. Park will wrap up the year by recording an all-Kreisler album for Centaur Records.
Park has dedicated this entire year to Italian virtuosity, which has gone hand in hand with his new role as cultural ambassador to Ferrari. In an exclusive event, Park dazzled an audience of Ferrari patrons with a showcase of works by the legendary Paganini at a recent concert in Salt Lake City.
David Park recently sat down to talk about the concert and its dedication to Leonardo da Vinci.
How did you come up with the idea of playing Paganini Concerto to honor the death of Leonardo da Vinci's 500-yr anniversary?
Actually, it happened to be a coincidence! Da Vinci died in May 1519, and I am performing the Paganini Concerto No 1 in May 11th and 12th in California with Crown City Symphony, so I decided to dedicate this concert to one of the greatest Italian minds of all time with one of the greatest Italian classical music.
How is da Vinci influential to you?
As you know, he was the Renaissance Man. He was also a fine musician, played and made his own lyre instrument! Also, he is a role model for me, because I think versatility is everything and I try to dabble in many areas.
As a matter of fact, didn't Salt Lake Tribune refer you as the 'True Renaissance Man'?
I don't know if that was a fair assessment, but when they did a story on me about my car and wine associations, I think that's what they were referring to.
How would you relate Paganini with da Vinci?
I think they were both visionaries. Paganini was a pioneer of virtuosity in violin playing that the public has never witnessed before. And Paganini has always been a big part of my life as a violinist. For his birthday, I did a live radio broadcast performing 10 of his Caprices, which is believed to be the most ever performed live on radio.
Anything else on the agenda commemorating da Vinci's anniversary?
Not quite, but in a similar theme, this year I'm celebrating the 'Best of Italy.' Earlier in the year, I performed a special event for Ferrari as their Cultural Ambassador, playing the Paganini Concerto, and later this year I will travel to Italy to experience the best of Italian wines. Also, I was invited for a gala dinner at Louvre Museum celebrating 30-yr anniversary of the glass pyramid and will present a special da Vinci exhibition!
Wolfgang Jaeger, DME Candidate - Indiana University