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Violinist drawn to the crowd
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JohnnyGandelsman, openingArt of Elan’s 15thseasonafter two cancellations,isthrilled to playinfront of anaudienceagain offormer New York cellist Alex Greenbaum and violinistKate Hatmaker executive directorofArt ofElan, formore thana decade.
“It’s a realthrill to have JohnnyinSanDiego for these two highly compelling and contrastingprograms,” saidHatmaker ThisIsAmerica’features sucha diverse lineup of artistsandsound worlds fromfolkmusic to jazz to more classicalpieces;it’s like amusicaltapestry reflecting our country’s current culture And to have him performthe complete Bach CelloSuitesonviolinthe followingnightisalmost mind-blowing. Johnnyis trulyoneofthemost versa-
‘ThisIsAmerica’with
JohnnyGandelsman
When: 7 to 8:30p.m. Feb. 13.
Doorsopen for exhibition viewing of “GabrielRico: Unityin Variety” at 6p.m.
Where: Institute for ContemporaryArt(ICA) Central, 1439El Prado, Balboa Park
Tickets: $35 general admission;$25ICA members;$10students
Online: artofelan.org/concerts/ johnny-gandelsman
“BaCH@ The JAI| Bach CelloSuites”
When: 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 14. Pre-concert talk at 6 p.m. by cellist and Baroquespecialist
AlexGreenbaum
Where: The JAI,Conrad Prebys PerformingArts Center, 7600 Fay Ave.,LaJolla
Tickets: $35 to $75
Online: artofelan.org/concerts/ jai-concert tile andthoughtfulartists outthere rightnow and we cannot wait to share his talentwithourSanDiego audiences.”
Gandelsmanisnonovice atthese two-hoursolo concerts.In2018, he recorded andperformedBach’s Complete Sonatas and Partitas forViolinon tour includinga concert attheCarlsbad Music Festival.
Whatattractshim to the musicalequivalentof runningmarathons?
Art ofElan,underHatmaker’s direction launched theBaCHInitiative (Beyond a Concert Hall)in 2019. Its goalis to presentBach’s works in nontraditional spaces.
“We’re very closemusically and otherwise,”Gandelsmansaid.In2019 “our familycameout to San Diego andit was fun.It’s reallynice to have friends like them. You bringtheman idea:‘I want to playcello suites,whatdo you think?’ It’s soencouragingwhen they say, ‘Yes,of course’!”
“Ilike theideaof a deep dive into something,”Gandelsman said.“Mostofmy timeiswithBrooklynRider, SilkRoadEnsembleand other groups.And I produce records.Allofthathas to do with workingwith a lot of peopleandaligningmultiple schedules.There’s something refreshing aboutbeing responsiblefor just yourself.
“I got excitedabout doing thecellosuites,butpeople were saying, ‘Why would you dothat?’‘What wouldcellistssay?’ Manypeoplesaid not to doit.That just gave memore motivation.
“It’s beenso rewarding to work onthesepiecesand to now have thisotherbodyof work that I know fromthe inside.” Woodisafreelancewriter.
