Rennolds: Lara St. John & Matt Herskowitz

Sunday, May 12, 2019 at 3 p.m. 
Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall
W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts
Mary Anne Rennolds Concert Series

Canadian-born violinist Lara St. John has been described as "something of a phenomenon" by The Strad and a “high-powered soloist” by the New York Times. She has performed as soloist with the orchestras of Cleveland, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and the major orchestras of Europe, Asia, South America and Australia/New Zealand. The Los Angeles Times wrote “Lara St. John happens to be a volcanic violinist with a huge, fabulous tone that pours out of her like molten lava. She has technique to burn and plays at a constant high heat.” Lara created her record own label, Ancalagon, in 1999, and has recorded with the Royal Philharmonic, the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela and The Knights, with which she won the Juno award in 2011 for her Mozart album. Of her Bach Six Sonatas and Partitas for Violin Solo, American Record Guide wrote: "I simply don't know where else you can go to hear Bach played at this level of artistry. Once again she eclipses her competition"Lara began playing the violin when she was two years old. She made her first appearance as soloist with orchestra at age four, and her European debut with the Gulbenkian Orchestra in Lisbon when she was 10. She performs on the 1779 “Salabue” Guadagnini thanks to an anonymous donor.

Uniquely combining the superlative technique of a classical virtuoso with his prowess in jazz, world music and free improvisation, pianist, composer and arranger Matt Herskowitz has carved out a unique and personal voice in music. Over the course of the last decade, Matt has produced a series of critically-acclaimed recordings, premiered his works in settings from New York’s Central Park to Germany’s Köln Philharmonie, collaborated with top classical, jazz and pop artists, and has performed at music festivals across the globe.

Tickets:
$35 General Admission
$32 Seniors (60+) / VCU Employees / VCU Alumni Association members
$25 Children (16 and under) 
Free for VCU Music students and VCU Music faculty - E-mail musictix@vcu.edu to reserve