MUSIC AT McCARTER IN MAY
Programming for May includes concerts from Zakir Hussain, Bill Charlap, Pinchas Zukerman/Yenfim Bronfman, and Moscow Virtuosi
McCarter Theatre Center invites audiences to spend the month of May enjoying one (or more) of four special events spanning multiple genres of music.
Simon Shaheen
WHEN: Friday, May 9, at 8:00 PM
WHERE: in the Berlind Theatre, 91 University Place in Princeton
TICKETS: $45.
The most significant Arab musician and performer of his generation, Simon Shaheen’s concerts reflect a legacy of Middle Eastern music, and his acclaim as a virtuoso on the oud and violin have earned him 11 Grammy nominations and a White House National Heritage Award. This evening of music will move seamlessly from traditional Arabic sounds to jazz and Western classical styles. With his quartet, he continues to forge ahead to new frontiers, while embracing many different styles in the process.
Bill Charlap Trio
WHEN: Saturday, May 10, at 8:00 PM.
WHERE: in the Berlind Theatre, 91 University Place in Princeton
TICKETS: $50.
For more than 15 years, Bill Charlap has been the greatest jazz purveyor of the Great American Songbook. Other jazzmen of his generation play the harmonies and the melody, he plays the song—the whole song—with his innate sense of time, place and melody. With bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington (no relation), the trio has secured its place in jazz history with two Grammy nominations. Charlap himself is also the artistic director of New York City's Jazz in July Festival at the 92nd Street Y, and this season curates a three-concert series at NJPAC focusing on the music of Ellington, Gershwin and Richard Rodgers.
Pinchas Zukerman (violin) and Yefim Bronfman (piano)
WHEN: Monday, May 12, at 7:30 PM
WHERE: in the Matthews Theatre, 91 University Place in Princeton
TICKETS: start at $20.
The only thing better than one virtuoso in recital is two, and since this pair of master musicians and perennial McCarter favorites love to play together, we’re lucky enough to hear them do so. For over 40 years, Pinchas Zukerman has maintained a prodigious presence around the globe as violinist, violist, teacher, and conductor (of Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa). Yefim Bronfman is a legend amongst his peers both as a fearless pianist for whom no score is too demanding, but also for his poetic, poignant touch. Their McCarter collaboration will include sonatas for both violin and viola by Schubert, Beethoven and Brahms.
Moscow Virtuosi – Vladimir Spivakov, conductor and violin
WHEN: Thursday, May 15, at 7:30 PM
WHERE: in the Matthews Theatre, 91 University Place in Princeton
TICKETS: start at $20.
Ever since violinist Vladimir Spivakov founded his Moscow Virtuosi chamber orchestra in 1979, it has been the “gold standard” for similar ensembles around the world. Hand-picked by Spivakov—each orchestra member is a ranking soloist drawn from the principal chairs of the other great orchestras of Russia. Spivakov himself, a violin virtuoso of the highest rank, will join his fellow musicians as the featured soloist in a program of works by Vivaldi, Rossini, and Boccherini, as well as the ever-popular Serenade for Strings O. 48 by Tchaikovsky.
Tickets for all events can be purchased online at www.mccarter.org, by phone at (609) 258-2787, or in person at the McCarter Theatre Ticket Office, located at 91 University Place in Princeton.
Construction Updates
Construction continues around McCarter for Princeton University’s Arts & Transit project and the expansion of the Lewis Center for the Arts. This will have an impact on parking, traffic, and transit in and around McCarter through early Fall 2014. Stay informed by visiting mccarter.org/VisitorInfo to get the latest construction updates.
