Staff Report
World-class performances continue during the 40th anniversary season (2019-2020) of the Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series with Grammy Award-winning violinist Johnny Gandelsman on March 20.
“A Violinist Explores Bach’s Cello Suites” will showcase Gandelsman at 7 p.m. Friday, March 20, at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, at 2901 Nojoqui Avenue in Los Olivos. The church, noted for its stunning acoustics and serene ambiance, has been the home of this popular concert series since 2007.
“We are very much looking forward to hearing Johnny Gandelsman’s interpretations of Bach’s timeless and transcendent music,” said Artistic Director Dr. Robert Cassidy. “A magical sonic environment will be experienced with the sound of the solo violin resonating off the long-grain fir, high-ceiling interior of the church.”
Following up on his celebrated debut recording of J.S. Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, Gandelsman will perform a solo program exploring the depths of three of Bach’s Cello Suites on the violin. The Cello Suites are hailed as some of the most magnificent and profound of Bach’s creations – indeed of all baroque music.
Gandelsman’s musical voice reflects the artistic collaborations he has been a part of since moving to the United States from Israel. As a founding member of Brooklyn Rider and a member of the Silkroad Ensemble, he has worked closely with such luminaries as Béla Fleck, Martin Hayes, Kayhan Kalhor, Yo-Yo Ma, Mark Morris, Anne Sofie Van Otter, Suzanne Vega, Abigail Washburn and Damian Woetzel. He has also appeared with Bono, David Byrne, Renée Fleming and many others.
Tickets are available for purchase online in advance at https://www.smitv.org/concert-series-tickets.html or when the doors open at 6:30 p.m. (30 minutes before the start of the concert). General Admission tickets are $20 (open seating) and Patron Tickets are $35 (reserved seating). Thanks to a grant from St. Mark’s Women’s Guild, concert admission is FREE for ALL students (with student ID). A complimentary reception with the artists follows each concert. For Patron seating or any questions, please call SYV Concert Series Coordinator Linda Burrows directly at 805-705-0938.
