In an evening that is being billed as a journey from darkness to light, pianist Michael Kim will then join VIS to perform A minor Piano Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s spectacular Fourth Symphony, under the direction of Artistic Director Pierre Simard. This is Kim’s fourth performance with VIS.
“The programmatic title braveheart refers to the whole notion of the romantic artists as a hero,” says Kim. “Tchaikovsky and Grieg were consummate representatives of nationalism which typified the Romantic movement, both of whom incorporated distinctly Russian and Norwegian folk elements into their compositional fabric.
“The Grieg concerto, while classically structured, presents the piano soloist as a heroic, distinct entity from the orchestra. Grieg's efforts gave us one of history's most played and beloved piano concerti - and Grieg was a true braveheart in boldly defining a national Norwegian musical style which endures today.”
The evening will mark the opening of VIS’s 25
th Anniversary year, and celebrates not only transitioning from darkness to light, but also celebrates the many transitions that the orchestra has grown through over 25 years.
“The orchestra has grown in splendid and unusual ways over the last 25 years: new concert series, recruitment of young professionals, exploration of bold repertoire options, commissions of new music, recordings, etc. As well, the VIS artistic output has been directly impacted by the musicians’ own individual growth as ever-improving performers, virtuoso-level,” says Pierre Simard, artistic director.
Kim is a perfect example of this and has stacked up accolades and has hit enviable milestones in his career. But it’s his position as Director of the University of Minnesota School of Music that he says has changed him the most as a musician.
