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Mark Menzies, violin recital One of New Zealand's foremost musicians, Mark Menzies was recently described in a Los Angeles Times review as an 'extraordinary musician' and a 'riveting violinist.' At 31 years, his career has seen concerts in Great Britain, Germany, France, Brazil, Mexico, United States and throughout New Zealand. As the first violinist of the New York-based Ensemble Sospeso, he performs regularly in New York, including at Carnegie Hall, and as a part of a residency at Columbia University's Miller Theater. Mark Menzies' first CD release as leader/soloist and Artistic Director of the London-based Salomon ensemble was nominated for a Grammy award. A CD collection of New Zealand violin and piano repertoire was recently released, and he appears on a further 6 released recordings as a soloist and chamber musician. Mark Menzies is a National Recording Artist of Radio New Zealand. Mark Menzies frequently gives master classes on solo string playing and chamber music, as well as giving lectures on issues of present day performance practice in both avant garde music and music in older styles. In relation to his research, he is due to complete his dissertation for a Ph.D. in Critical Studies of Music at the University of California, San Diego next Spring. He was guest lecturer in violin and chamber music at the University of Auckland in 1997; master class engagements have included at the University of Kansas, Wichita, at Auckland University, at the International Festival at Montenegro (Brazil) and at Unisinos, Sao Leopoldo (Brazil). He currently teaches the violin, viola, chamber music and twentieth century music analysis at the School of Music at the CalArts where he is Chair of Western Orchestral Instrument Studies. This program will feature Luigi Nono's La Lontananza Nostalgica Utopica Futura for violin and eight-channel tape. Mark Menzies' recent performance of this work in New York received notice in the New York Times: "The Nono piece was superbly done by Mr. Menzies . Much of the part consists of very high notes, to be maintained at an even low level for a long time: it is at once strenuous and unassuming, and Mr. Menzies found its true character. He also made it sing, projecting consistent beauty of tone. And he was effectively unpretentious in executing the drama of the work, pacing from one music stand to another in a journey of search. The end, when he walked off still playing, was a touching farewell." The program will also include premieres of new works by Christopher Burns, Ching-Wen Chao, and Christopher Jones. strictly Ballroom | CCRMA home | Christopher Burns home Copyright © 2001 Christopher Burns. All rights reserved. |