Young Zeid, violin @ Music Island Mar 28, 2010 12: 30 pm SLT

Young Zeid, violin/Viola Music Island, Sea Turtle Island
March 28, 2010
12: 30 pm SLT (Pacific Daylight Time)

Program:

Bee F. Schubert ( 1808-1878)
From a set of bagatelles, published in 1856 by the German composer and violinist Franz Anton Schubert. (not to be confused with the earlier and much more famous Austrian composer Franz Schubert. )

Meditation" from Thais J. Massenet(1842-1912)
Though the 3 act opera by Massenet is seldom performed, the intermezzo that opens the third Act remains a popular work for violin.

Romanza Andaluza P. Sarasate (1844-1908),
One of the leading violinists of his era Spanish-born, Pablo de Sarasate was well-known for composing stunning showpieces for the violin that would leave his audiences gasping.

Czardas v. Monti (1868-1922)
A popular rhapsody inspired by a Hungarian gypsy dance, composed for violin and piano is the only famous work by Monti. It has been re-arranged for just about every instrument and also for orchestra.

Milonga en Re A. Piazzolla (1921-1992)
A popular tango from the Argentinian composer.

Entertainer Joplin (1868-1917) arr. J. Heifetz
A member of the first generation of American black citizens after slavery, Scott Joplin was a successful composer of ragtime pieces for the piano. His work has never entirely disappeared from American music but had a popular revival due to being featured prominently on the score of the popular 1970's film, "The Sting". Jascha Heifetz arranged "The Entertainer" for violin to serve as a crowd-pleasing encore for his own concerts.

Kol Nidrei M. Bruch (1838-1920)
Bruch was not Jewish but was struck by the beauty of a traditional Jewish hymn Kol Nidre that forms a part of the Yom Kippur service. The melody was inspiration for a work originally composed for cello and orchestra.

Violin concerto in e minor F. Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
One of the most popular violin concerti, this work was Mendelssohn's first major work and is a staple of the violin repertoire. In three movements.

1. Allegro, molto appassionato (E minor)
2. Andante (C major)
3. Allegretto non troppo – Allegro molto vivace (E major)


About the Artist:

Young Zeid (SL)/Xi Yang (RL), violin/viola
BIO

Xi Yang began his distinguished music career when he was a student at the Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China where he studied both violin and viola Performance. He had his first solo debut when he was 9 years old. By the age of 12 he made an average of 200 solo appearances a year in China. He won the National Violin Competition in Shanghai and made his solo debut with the Beijing Philharmonic Orchestra. He then, toured China with the Beijing Youth Symphony as a soloist and concertmaster. At the age of 17, he was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Jacques Tibaud International Violin Competition in Paris, France. The youngest violinist entered the competition for that year which earned him a place in the Encyclopedia of Chinese History.

Arriving in the United States, Mr. Yang won a National Strings Competition in Arkansas and has performed numerous solo recitals, chamber music concerts and gave master classes to young string players from many public schools and colleges. A graduate of Indiana University School of Music, he studied violin and chamber music ensemble, from baroque style to modern composers, under the guidance of James Buswell, Nelli Shkolnikova, Josef Gingold and Rostislav Dubinsky. "Mr. Yang has all the ability and potential to become one of the greatest solo violinists in the world today..." ( Isaac Stern 1987, Indiana University )

Mr. Yang was the Principal Violist for the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, Florida Grand Opera and the Principal Viola with the Symphony of the Americas. He is also the Assistant Concertmaster and a guest conductor, soloist with the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra. He has performed for Two Presidents of the United States, President Clinton and President Bush Snr. and been requested to perform by celebrities such as Donald Trump and Sylvester Stallone. He has collaborated with highly regarded classical artists such as Isaac Stern, Placido Domingo,Luciano Pavarotti, Leonard Bernstein, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, as well as some of the great pop stars such as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Michael Jackson, Bary Manilow...among others.

A well established violinist and violist in the Triangle area and beyond, his students are age from 7 years old to adults. He is a member of the Arcangelo Piano Quartet www.arcangelopianoquartet.com and Duo Appassionato. www.duoappssionato.org

Fostering the next generation of musicians is important to Xi Yang. He is the founding music director and conductor of the Youth Symphony of Florida.

Jan.24 Izabela Jaworower, Music Island Concerts

(ALL TIMES SLT--PACIFIC STANDARD TIME)

SUNDAY JANUARY 24 @ 1:30 PM
Izabela Jaworower, violin
Music Island
a program of favorite violin sonatas

Duo Appassionato, The Four Seasons Dec. 19 @ 12 pm SLT

The Duo began playing one concerto from Vivaldi's "Four Seasons", at the peak of each season during 2009, starting with "Winter" on New Years Day 2009. Now as the year draws to a close, suspense has grown throughout all of SL... we will finally be able to hear the full work. What a fitting way to finish up the musical year in Second Life! The name of the duo says it all about the passionate love of music that is apparent in their performances. Join us on beautiful Music Island for a great afternoon concert.

Because of the high interest in this program, there have been several concerts scheduled throughout SL, giving audiences a choice of dates, times and settings.

This concert on Music Island will be one of the last opportunities to join in this memorable moment in SL musical history. Music Island is where Duo Appassionato first performed in SL about 18 months ago. Their long association with the series has shaped events, raised the bar for classical performances in Second Life and continued a tradition of informative, approachable presentation of music in an inclusive atmosphere.

Akito Kuramoto returns November 28 @ 8:30 am SLT!!!!

Someone asked me what concert I was most looking forward to this fall recently. It was a hard question as each concert brings something that is uniquely special to it: a new performer, a much-loved selection, a novel use of SL, educational value, etc.

However, from a personal point of view, I am most looking forward to Akito's concert this coming Saturday. Akito is not only a fine violinist, his concerts inform and inspire in so many ways. Akito gave the first ever concert at Music Island and became one of my best SL friends and one of the guiding spirits of Music Island in it's formative days. His style of informal introductions of the music that combined education with personal reflections on the work, set the style which has made our concerts unique and inclusive.

The fact that Akito is an amateur musician who plays at a professional level, has inspired audience members to get up from their armchairs and pick up an instrument--either one they used to play, or one they have always wished to learn to play.

Akito has been away from SL for a hiatus of about a year now due to professional commitments. He has said that this concert will be a one-time affair, so don't miss out on one of SL's shining stars. A new member of our audience wandered into the sound check and was entranced by the sneak preview saying, "Sneaking into the sound check was better than any SL concert I've ever been at!"

Program :

- Adagio from Sonata #1 BWV 1001 for solo violin, by J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
- Concerto No. 8 in A minor for two violins, by A. Vivaldi (1678-1741)
- Meditation from Thaïs, by Jules Massenet (1842-1912)
- Violin Concerto in A minor BWV 1041, by J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
- Chaconne in G minor for violin, by T. Vitali (1663-1745)
(faure - bis)



PROGRAM NOTES about the pieces & composers
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• Adagio from Sonata #1 BWV 1001 for solo violin, by J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

The Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin (BWV 1001–1006) is a set of six works composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. It consists of three sonatas in four movements and three partitas composed of dance-based movements. The complete set was composed during the 1720 period, and first published in 1843.


• Concerto No. 8 in A minor for two violins and strings, by A. Vivaldi (1678-1741)

L'estro Armonico op. 3 ("Harmonic Inspiration" in Italian) is a collection of twelve concertos for 1, 2 and 4 violins written by Antonio Vivaldi in 1711.
It largely augmented the reputation of Vivaldi as Il Prete Rosso; (The Red Priest). The collections were mostly put together in a chronological order. These concerti are often called concerti grossi due to their use of a concertino-style ensemble (solo cello is often used).
J.S. Bach later transcribed concertos from this work for harpsichord solo (no.9, no.12), for organ solo (no.8, no.11) and for four harpsichords and strings (no.10).

L’Estro Armonico, Op.3, Concerto No. 8 in A minor for two violins and strings, RV 522
* 1. Allegro
* 2. Larghetto e spiritoso
* 3. Allegro


• "Thaïs" is an opera in three acts composed in 1894 by Jules Massenet with a French libretto by Louis Gallet, based on the novel of the same name by Anatole France.

Act 2, scene 1 :
Exhausted after the feast, Thaïs expresses dissatisfaction with her empty life and muses on the fact that one day, old age will destroy her beauty. Athanaël enters at this vulnerable moment, praying to God to conceal her beauty from him. He tells her that he loves her according to the spirit rather than the flesh, and that his love will last forever, instead of for a single night. Intrigued, she asks him to teach her the ways of this love. He nearly succumbs to her physical charm, but succeeds in explaining to her that if she converts, she will gain eternal life. She nearly succumbs to his eloquence, but then reasserts her nihilistic worldview and drives him away. However, after a long Meditation she changes her mind.


• The Violin Concerto in A minor by J. S. Bach (BWV 1041)'s 3 movements are :

* Allegro moderato
* Andante — with an ostinato style theme
* Allegro assai

(Note : the Clavier Concerto in G minor, BWV 1058, is an arrangement of this concerto with piano or harpsichord.)

The motifs of the theme of the Allegro moderato appear in changing combinations and are separated and intensified throughout the movement.

In the Andante, Bach uses an insistent pattern in the bass part that is repeated constantly in the movement. He focuses the variation in the harmonic relations.

In the final movement, Bach relies on bariolage figures to generate striking acoustic effects.


• Chaconne in G minor for violin, by T. Vitali (1663-1745)

In music, a chaconne (Italian: ciaccona) is a musical form whose primary formal feature involves variation on a repeated short harmonic progression.

Originally a quick dance-song which emerged during the late 16th century in Spanish culture, possibly from the New World, the chaconne was characterized by suggestive movements and mocking texts. By the early eighteenth century the chaconne had evolved into a slow triple meter musical form. The chaconne has been understood by some nineteenth and early twentieth-century theorists—in a rather arbitrary way—to be a set of variations on a harmonic progression, as opposed to a set of variations on a melodic bass pattern (to which is likewise artificially assigned the term passacaglia), while other theorists of the same period make the distinction the other way around.

After the baroque period, the chaconne fell into decline, though the 32 Variations in C minor by Ludwig van Beethoven belong to the form.


Tomaso Antonio Vitali (March 7, 1663 –May 9, 1745) was an Italian composer and violinist from Bologna, son of Giovanni Battista Vitali. He is well-known for his Chaconne in G minor for violin and continuo, which is generally thought by musicologists to be a musical hoax (it is presumed that the composition was originally composed by German violinist Ferdinand David).

Despite its dubious provenance, the piece has been ever popular amongst violinists.

The Chaconne first came to the attention of violinists when it was published as Vitali's work in a collection of pieces (Die Hoch Schule des Violinspiels) edited by the virtuoso and close friend of Mendelssohn, Ferdinand David, and issued in 1867.
What is known is that the stern and majestic G minor theme was extensively revised and made progressively more difficult in each successive variation, transforming it into a gripping tour de force of staggering technical difficulty. For this reason, it was selected as the opening work on the bill when Jascha Heifetz presented his debut recital at Carnegie Hall, and indeed, one could hardly imagine a more impressive curtain-raiser.
It is just as unclear whether David (who was highly regarded for his advocacy of Baroque music, largely ignored throughout the nineteenth century) wrote the Chaconne himself or possibly assembled it from a variety of motifs by obscure figures of the high Italian Baroque. But this convoluted puzzle doesn't end there. Another violin virtuoso, Frenchman Léopold Charlier, produced an alternative -- and if possible, even more taxing -- edition in 1911. Charlier not only enhanced the technical demands of the violin part, but also made significant improvements and added new harmonizations to the piano part, whilst reordering the sequence of the variations so that they become progressively more complex as this astounding piece unfolds.
One striking feature of the "Vitali" Chaconne's style is the way it wildly changes key, reaching the far-flung territories of B flat and D sharp minors, uncharacteristic of the Baroque era, and key signature changed typical only in Romanticism.





************************************

Biographical Notes:
***************
I have been presenting live violin recitals in Second Life since june 2007, and after a hiatus since july 2008 I am returning for a one-time recital today, november 28th 2009. I hope I will get the chance to perform at least several times a year in SL.

In first life, I have been studying violin in France for 26 years. I have the chance to be able to work with a great professor, who communicated me a real passion for violin. I also could study in famous international training and master-class sessions. It was a honor for me to win a few years ago, a first Prize at the international Leopold Bellan music competition in Paris.
I am now performing concerts and tours as an amateur, with various French symphonic and chamber groups, thanks to the musicians I know and meet.

I didn't choose music as a professional path and I want to keep violin in my life as a passion, but I always had the dream to become a solo performer. Second Life gives me the chance to make this dream come true.

Therefore, playing for you is a challenge and makes me very happy.

Thank you for listening !
Akito.
• http://www.myspace.com/akitokuramoto
• My SL group : Akito's Backstage List

Astronimus Randt, Nov. 19 @ 4:30 pm SLT

THURSDAY NOV. 19 @ 4:30 PM
Original jazz compositions
Electric violin & flute

@ Virtually Speaking

Astronimus began his career as a musician when he was a child, singing in choir and playing the violin. Soon after this, he picked up the guitar and began songwriting and composing. He began playing professionally at the age of 15. In college, he majored in composition and minored in applied violin. He’s worked in recording studios as a musician and in production/engineering. Astronimus has also performed in musical theatre, both on-stage and in the orchestra pit.

MUSIC ISLAND CONCERTS @ Virtually Speaking
In a new joint venture with the Virtually Speaking series featuring important thinkers of public affairs, a series of concerts will bring the global language of music to set the stage for the contemplation of important issues of our time

Young Zeid plays Vivaldi's "Fall" Nov 7 @ 12 pm SLT

Music Island audiences have been hearing one of the Four Seasons throughout 2009, beginning with Winter on New Year's Day played by Izabela Jaworower, the other half of Duo Appassionato. Young and Iza have delighted us each season with another one of the four concertos that make up the famous Four Seasons suite by Vivaldi. The final installment, Fall, will be played by Young Zeid on Saturday Nov. 7 at 12 pm SLT (Pacific Time) at Music Island in Second Life.

On December 19 the Duo will take the stage to offer the whole suite to finish up the year in fine style with a classical season gift.

BIO

Xi Yang (Young Zeid in Second Life) began his distinguished music career when he was a student at the Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China where he studied both violin and viola Performance. He had his first solo debut when he was 9 years old. By the age of 12 he made an average of 200 solo appearances a year in China. He won the National Violin Competition in Shanghai and made his solo debut with the Beijing Philharmonic Orchestra. He then, toured China with the Beijing Youth Symphony as a soloist and concertmaster. At the age of 17, he was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Jacques Tibaud International Violin Competition in Paris, France. The youngest violinist entered the competition for that year which earned him a place in the Encyclopedia.

Arriving in the United States, Mr. Yang won a National Strings Competition in Arkansas and has performed numerous solo recitals, chamber music concerts and gave master classes to young string players from many public schools and colleges. A graduate of Indiana University School of Music, he studied violin and chamber music ensemble, from baroque style to modern composers, under the guidance of James Buswell, Nelli Shkolnikova, Josef Gingold and Rostislav Dubinsky. "Mr. Yang has all the ability and potential to become one of the greatest solo violinists in the world today..." ( Isaac Stern 1987, Indiana University )

Mr. Yang was the Principal Violist for the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, Florida Grand Opera and the Principal Viola with the Symphony of the Americas. He is also the Assistant Concertmaster and a guest conductor, soloist with the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra. He has performed for Two Presidents of the United States, President Clinton and President Bush Snr. and been requested to perform by celebrities such as Donald Trump and Sylvester Stallone. He has collaborated with highly regarded classical artists such as Isaac Stern, Placido Domingo,Luciano Pavarotti, Leonard Bernstein, Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, as well as some of the great pop stars such as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Michael Jackson, Bary Manilow...among others.

A well established violinist and violist in the Triangle area and beyond, his students are age from 7 years old to adults. He is a member of the Arcangelo Piano Quartet www.arcangelopianoquartet.com and Duo Appassionato. www.duoappssionato.org

Fostering the next generation of musicians is important to Xi Yang. He is the founding music director and conductor of the Youth Symphony of Florida.

General information for those unfamiliar with live concerts in virtual reality. Concerts are streamed live from musicians homes or studios together with informative introductions and or notes for the audience. Virtual concerts are social and interactive. While there is no charge to attend a concert at Music Island, donations to the musicians and/or the venue are always gratefully received at the concert.

Advance listings

Astronimus Randt, violin, flute September 12

Astronimus Randt
Original jazz compositions
Electric violin & flute
Music Island/Sea Turtle Island
September 12, 2009
12 pm (noon) Second Life Time (PDT)

Astronimus began his career as a musician when he was a child, singing in choir and playing the violin. Soon after this, he picked up the guitar and began songwriting and composing. He began playing professionally at the age of 15. In college, he majored in composition and minored in applied violin. He’s worked in recording studios as a musician and in production/engineering. Astronimus has also performed in musical theatre, both on-stage and in the orchestra pit.

Duo Appassionato, Anniversary Concert

Saturday, August 15, 1 :00pm SLT
Simulcast to Second Life Community Conference, San Francisco

Summer Anniversary Concert Program:

1). Mazas.....................Duo for 2 violins in G MAjor (3 mvts.)
2). Wieniawskii......Capriccios op 18 for 2 violins No. 2 3, 4.
3). Vivaldi......................."Summer' from THE FOUR SEASONS
4). Bach ...................................."DOUBLE" concerto ( 3 mvts)
5). Handel/Halvorsen ...........Passcaglia for Violin and Viola

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

DUO APPASSIONATO possesses exceptional virtuoso ability and musical harmony rarely found in two instrmentalists of the same genre performing together. Both active solo performers of unsurpassed spirit and flair, the duo has a refreshing stage presence and often explores a repertoire that is rarely performed because of its unusually demanding nature. They project " virtuosic devilry and imagination..." and their playing is " stunning and incredibly well matched". Their presence is a highlight to any recital or concert stage.

Violinist Izabela Spiewak began her international music career at the age of 5, and was awarded a scholarship to a music school for gifted young artists at the age of 8. She is performed chamber music concerts, recorded albums with musicians such as Leonard Bernstein, Eduardo Mata, Placido Domingo and Yehudi Menuhin.

Xi Yang began his distinguished music career when he was a student at the Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China where he studied both violin and viola Performance. He had his first solo debut when he was 9 years old. By the age of 12 he made an average of 200 solo appearances a year in China. He won the National Violin Competition in Shanghai and made his solo debut with the Beijing Philharmonic Orchestra. Arriving in the United States, Mr. Yang won a National Strings Competition in Arkansas and has performed numerous solo recitals, chamber music concerts and gave master classes to young string players from many public schools and colleges . Mr. Yang was the Principal Violist for the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, Florida Grand Opera and the Principal Viola with the Symphony of the Americas. He is also the Assistant Concertmaster and a guest conductor, soloist with the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra.

Charlie Navarathna films Jaworower concert

It's hard to convey the experience of a virtual concert to those who are not active within Second Life. Thank you Charlie for filming Izabel's concert and sharing it with the world.

Izabela Jawororer, violin July 25 @ 12 pm

Izabela has been performing one movement of the Four Seasons each season throughout the past year, beginning with "Winter" in December '08. Here in high summer, she brings us the third movement, with complementary repertoire for a hot weekend at Music Island.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Izabela Spiewak (Izabela Jawororer in SL) started her career as a winner of the Wieniawski/Lipinski Competition at the age of 17, in Poland. She is a graduate of the State Music School for gifted children which she joined at the age of 8 and attended for 12 years on full scholarship. Subsequently she earned a Performing Artists' Degree with honors from the acclaimed Warsaw Conservatory. Ms. Spiewak recorded for Polish Radio and TV and was part of the Polish Radio and TV Orchestra.

Ms. Spiewak was offered a full scholarship to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute under the direction of Leonard Bernstein and Michael Tilson Thomas. She studied and performed with distinguished masters such as Menachem Pressler, Martha Argerich, Lynn Harrell and Pinchas Zuckerman. She recorded with Leonard Bernstein, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, YoYo Ma and Yehudi Menuhin. She was privileged to play for Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton, and the Pope John Paul II. She is an active recitalist and a leader of the Arcangelo Piano Quartet (since 1997). In addition to her busy performing career, she keeps a prominent teaching studio where she shares her expertise with talented young violinists.

To attend events in Second Life it is necessary to download the free software available @ http://www.secondlife.com and establish an account.

Naftali gets them up and dancing

Usually on Music Island, we sit, listen to the Music and maybe exchange a few thoughts, appreciative comments or q & a's by text during the concerts. Yesterday's rousing concert of European folk music was different. Holland based fiddler, Naftali Torok was hard to resist. Bavid led the way, first getting up and dancing and inviting others to join his HUD. Then kate got in the mix. By the end of the concert very few were left sitting in the stands.

It was a great touch that Naftali had brought along some slides of her RL band in performance and she "introduced" us to the all of the members of the band before the concert concluded.

Even the Lindens must have approved the event as the concert concluded with a notice of a rolling re-start.... conveniently timed for a few minutes AFTER the encore piece. Such luck rarely happens in SL. The gods of the grid were clearly with Naftali and the Music Island audience.

July 11 @ 1 pm Naftali Torok: Roots of European Music

July 11 @ 1 pm Naftali Torok Roots of European Music, is a complementary concert to the following weeks program. Composers drew on the inspiration of the gypsy fiddle, klezmer music and other folk traditions to inspire, enliven and paint the landscapes in their classical works. Experience the original sources of this rich musical literature

Exciting Summer on Music Island

HIGHLIGHTS OF SUMMER SEASON

While more activity is being added daily, here are some dates you won't want to miss!

July 11 @ 1 pm Naftali Torok Roots of European Music, is a complementary concert to the following weeks program. Composers drew on the inspiration of the gypsy fiddle, klezmer music and other folk traditions to inspire, enliven and paint the landscapes in their classical works. Experience the original sources of this rich musical literature

July 19 @ 12 pm SLT American Roots, is a concert in the lighter vein with Cindy Ecksol. Cindy plays authentic American folk music of the sort that has been an inspiration to American classical composers in the same way that gypsy fiddlers inspired Dvorak.

July 25 @ 12 pm Vivaldi's Summer, a concert with violinist Izabela Jaworower. Izabela has been performing one movement of the work each season through the year, beginning with "Winter" in December '08. Here in high summer, she brings us the third movement, with complementary repertoire for a hot weekend at Music Island.

August 1 @ 12 pm Benito Flores Peace Festival Concert. The rising star of the Italian piano keyboard returns to the Music Island stage in support of the Peace Festival (additional Peace Festival events will be happening at Music Island, throughout the Cedar Island region and across Second Life) See the video here.

August 1 @ 2 pm Enniv Zarf, piano Peace Festival Concert. The busy and multi-talented Enniv has been away from Second Life for some months. His prodigious contributions to the Second Life arts have sure been missed. We're all glad he's back at Music Island for this concert during the SL-wide Peace Festival.

PERSEIDS FESTIVAL

August 9-14 From Falling Stars to Meteors. Informative Display on Music Island.

August 11 @ 4 pm International Year of Astronomy--Lecture and Tour, Ourania Fizgig. Begins in the Lodge on Sea Turtle Island

August 12 @ 4 pm Storytelling Campfire and Community Drumming. Drum, Talk share under the night sky on the evening of the biggest lightshow of the summer.

August 12 @ 6:30 pm AldoManutio Abruzzo, composer/musician WITH Desdemona Enfield and Douglas Story, artists. Multimedia extravaganza concert.

August 15 @ 1 pm Duo Appassionato Anniversary Concert. One year of great music in Second Life-- to be streamed live into Second Life Community Conference in San Francisco.

August 29 @ 12 pm Young Zeid, violin. Young brings down the curtain on summer with a show-stopping concert.

Gypsy Fire with Naftali Torok

Naftali Torok
Sunday May 31 @ 12 pm SLT (Pacific Time)
Music Island/Sea Turtle Island in Second Life,

Gypsy and European folk fiddle music played around the campfire inspired some of the greatest works of classical music and in turn the themes of classical music were embraced and interpreted by folk fiddlers of the day. Enjoy and learn about the European folk fiddle from one of today's masters of the instrument.

Made in Second Life and exported to Real Life

FRIDAY June 19 @ 4 pm SLT
Schumann Duo and Duo Appassionato

Live-streamed event
Music Island/Sea Turtle Island
Slurl: Music Island

The Schumann Duo and Duo Appassionato join forces for a series of live appearances in RL this June. They met in Second Life. They discussed planned concerts in Second Life, they met with a composer/arranger in SL to hand-craft arrangements for them and now they will be giving a series of concerts in Second Life. This is an event which will be shared by all of the concert venues that have supported their work over the past year. Live streamed from RL

Astronimus Randt, May 2 @ 12 noon SLT

I first met Astron when I saw an announcement about a violinist appearing at a venue unknown to me. I grabbed the landmark and teleported into... the middle of a Second Life strip club. To say that the music was not appropriate to the venue would be a huge understatement, however, Astron's interest in taking his violin performance in new directions confounds classification. Classically trained in violin performance, Astron has branched out to explore new age and popular music on his electric violin, while choosing to play other content on the accoustic violin. Much of the work Astonimus performs are his own compositions that have a new-age inspirational flavour.

Astronimus took a hiatus from Second Life lasting several months. He has been missed by fans of his music. As well as being an interesting musician, Astronimus is a thoughtful and warm person, whose introductions to his music add layers of meaning to the experience.

The seriousness with which he takes Second Life music is evident in his performances but also in the professionalism he exhibits. I remember with fondness an occasion where I was out of the country toting my laptop and expecting to host one of Astronimus' concerts. As fate would have it, just when I was difficult to reach, a rockslide knocked out a major communications satellite in Astronimus' area of the western USA, rendering him incommunicado and likely unable to do the concert, unless communications were restored in time. Rather than shrug and disappoint fans and leave everyone wondering, he drove some distance and managed to contact someone with a Second Life account to get a message to me well in advance of the concert. We had decided on a "drop dead" time when I would send out a cancellation notice and had a "rain date" set to announce. This was truly appreciated by me as a concert organizer and also by the Music Island audience, many of whom plan their week-ends to include their Second Life concert attendance.

I'm sure we'll have a warm welcome for this veteran SL musician's triumphant return.

Izabela plays to capacity crowd

This afternoon Izabela Jawoworer played to a capacity crowd on Music Island and brought avatars surging to their feet in a standing ovation as applause rung out and text messages of brava's and whoops scrolled up the screen as this screenshot demonstrates.

The bravura return to Music Island showed that Izabela has won a place in the hearts of SL audiences. A few latecomers to the program were devasted to have missed part or all of the concert. In all cases, this was due to not being a member of the Music Island group as group members receive advance notice, 24 hour notice and last minute reminders of concerts.

Izabela Jaworower, violin April 26 Programme

SUNDAY APRIL 26, 12 pm SLT (Pacific Daylight Time)

@ Music Island in Second Life

1. A. Dvorak Sonatina in Gmajor, in 4 mvts.
2. A. Dvorak Romantic Piece #1.
3. G. Faure Berceuse
4. F. Kreisler Rondino ; Schon Rosmarin
5. C. Saint Saens - The Swan
6. L.V Beethoven - "SPRING" Sonata in F Major for violin and Piano, in 4 mvts.

Izabela Jaworower, violin April 26 @ 12 pm SLT

At 12 pm SLT (Pacific Time), the lovely Izabela will perform a live piano recital program in the beautiful amphitheatre at Music Island on Sea Turtle Island. Slurl for Music Island.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Violinist Izabela Spiewak (Izabela Jawororer in SL) started her international musical career as a winner of the Wieniawski/Lipinski International Young Violinists' Competition at the age of 17, in Lublin, Poland. Born in Eastern Poland, she is a graduate of the State Music School for gifted children which she joined at the age of 8 and was a part of for 12 years ona full scholarship. Subequently she completed the Performing Artists' Degree and graduated with honors from the acclaimed Warsaw Music Conservatory, Poland.

She studied with the leading Eastern European pedagogues, including Mr. Oskar Ruppel, a pupil of a legendary virtuoso Eugene Ysaye. Still as a student, Ms. Spiewak recorded classical and popular music for the Polish Radio and TV and was a part of the Polish Radio and TV Orchestra. Under the auspices of the Polish Performing Artists' Management, Ms. Spiewak relocated to Central America and toured all over the world with the Mexico City Philharmonic.

Upon arrrival to the United States, Ms. Spiewak was offered a full scholarship to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute under the direction of Leonard Bernstein and Michael Tilson Thomas. She studied chamber music and performed under the guidance of such distinguished masters as Menahem Pressler, Martha Argerich, Lynn Harel, and Pinchas Zuckerman. She recorded albums with celebrities such as Leonard Bernstein, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, YoYo Ma and Yehudi Menuhin, and pop stars, such as Michael Jackson, Lisa Minelli, Michael Crawford, Gloria Estefan, Julio Iglesias, Sarah Brighton. In addition, she was priviledged to play for Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton, and the Pope John Paul The 2nd.

She is an active recitalist, a recipient of the North Carolina Regional Artist Grant and a Touring Artist for the State of North Carolina, a leader of the Arcangelo Piano Quartet (since 1997) and a violinist of the DUO APPASSIONATO. She toured the US, Europe, South America and China. In addition to her busy performing career, she keeps a prominent teaching studio where she shares her expertise with talented young violinists.