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ecuring the world-renowned, Grammy-winning violinist for two Joburg dates is a coup for the JPO, says managing director Shadrack Bokaba: “Joshua Bell is regarded as one of the premier violinists of his generation, and is without question one of the top soloists to have been presented by the JPO in its 12-year history. The orchestra is beyond excited to be hosting an artist of his calibre.”
Bell has enchanted audiences worldwide with his breathtaking virtuosity and exquisite tone. His restless curiosity and multifaceted musical interests have taken him in exciting new directions, earning him the rare title of “classical music superstar”.
Often referred to as the poet of the violin, Bell is the recipient of the Avery Fisher Prize and is the newly named music director of The Academy of St Martin in the Fields. He has won a several music awards – including a Grammy for his recording of Nicholas Maw’s Violin Concerto – as well as accolades for his extensive charity work. Composer John Corigliano won an Oscar for his original score for The Red Violin, on which, he said in his acceptance speech, Bell played “like a god”.
Bell first came to national attention at the age of 14 in a highly acclaimed orchestral debut with Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra. His Carnegie Hall debut and a recording contract further confirmed his presence in the music world. Today he is equally at home as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestra leader and composer who performs his own cadenzas to major concerto repertoire.
Since his first LP recording at age 18, Bell has recorded more than 36 CDs. His latest album with Jeremy Denk,French Impressions, was released in January 2012 and is Bell’s first sonata recording for Sony Classical. He recently performed on the popular US television show Dancing with the Stars.
His busy 2011/2012 concert schedule is taking him to festivals across the USA, a recital at Carnegie Hall, appearances with the New York Philharmonic and London Philharmonic and extensive tours through Europe, taking in cities such as Munich, Berlin, Vienna and Paris.
Tickets for the two JPO/Joshua Bell concerts at Joburg’s Linder Auditorium on 29 and 30 August are now available at Computicket. Visit www.jpo.co.za for more information. |
