Violinist Stephen Waarts Graduation Recital

The graduation recital of violinist Stephen Waarts from Los Altos, California. While at Curtis he studied with Aaron Rosand. The New York Times describes him as “technically accomplished and musically insightful artist.” Stephen is also an accomplished mathematician and has won national math awards.

Béla Bartók: Sonata No. 2
Stephen Waarts, violin; Chelsea Wang, piano

One of Stephen’s favor sonatas, the Bartók’s Sonata No. 2 is not often played because it is extremely difficult. In this sonata, Bartók cast aside the traditional three-movement for a two movement composition, very different from his first sonata. The movements are: Molto moderato— and Allegretto.

Ysaÿe: Sonata in G minor, Op. 27, No. 1
Stephen Waarts, violin

In 1923 Ysaÿe wrote six sonatas for solo violin. Each sonata was dedicated to a fellow violinist. Sonata in G minor, Op. 27, No. 1 was dedicated to Hungarian violinist Joseph Szigeti. The sonata is in four movements marked: Grave; Fugato; Allegretto poco scherzoso and Finale con brio. In the second movement you can hear how Ysaÿe was influence by Bach.

Jules Massenet: “Méditation” from Thaïs, transcr. Marsick
Stephen Waarts, violin; Chelsea Wang, piano

“Méditation” from the opera Thaïs, is the music played in between the first and second scenes in Act II. This short instrumental piece is well known and most popular.

Kreisler: La Gitana
Stephen Waarts, violin; Chelsea Wang, piano

Continuing on the theme of Hungarian gypsy influences with La Gitana. Kreisler demonstrates a Viennese take on this with La Gitana a Spanish gypsy song of the 18th century.

Ravel: Tzigane, rapsodie de concert
Stephen Waarts, violin; Chelsea Wang, piano

This one movement: Lento, quasi cadenza (D major) piece was written after Ravel heard young Hungarian violin virtuoso Jelly D’Aranyi playing gypsy tunes in a concert. Stephen would say this piece is a French take on the gypsy style.