Mark O'Connor will perform a solo recital for the Orcas~trations series of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. He will give a Music Lovers Seminar preceding his recitals on Saturday, Aug. 22.
This year, the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s [intlink id=”music-lovers-seminars-the-schedule” type=”post”]Music Lovers Seminars[/intlink] will add Mark O’Connor, violinist, as a seminar host.
O’Connor is a Seattle native who has melded folk, classical and flamenco music in his compositions. He studied with American folk fiddler Benny Thomasson, and then with the French jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli.
O’Connor’s “new American Classical music” has transcended styles to a totally individualistic art.
His compositions include Appalachia Waltz and Appalachian Journey, which received a Grammy. His first full-length orchestral score was Fiddle Concerto followed by Fanfare for the Volunteer, which was recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
His other works include the violin concerto American Seasons: Seasons of an American Life, Double Concerto for violin and cello (For the Heroes) and the CD Hot Swing! a tribute to Grappelli.
O’Connor says, “To add to the repertoire with new literature as well as add to the technical and stylistic language of the violin, the instrument that is so close to the human soul, has been my great passion.”
At the Orcas~trations concerts, on Aug. 23 and 24, O’Connor will give his rarely-heard solo recital, a one-man violin concert which features “foot-stomping fiddle tunes, electrifying caprices, ragtime, free improvisation, jazz and blues.”
Prior to that event, O’Connor will speak at the Music Lovers Seminar on Saturday, Aug. 22 at the Orcas Center. This event is sponsored by Catherine Pederson, with the reception sponsored by Jane G. Schaller.
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