Violinist Gold opens Pro Musica Series
By B. K. Lake, Sept 22, 2006

Pro Musica Concerts, Violinist Joseph Gold Saturday & Sunday, September 30 & October 1, 5pm, St. Paul’s Church, Cardo 6 150/50 pesos

Violinist Joseph Gold, a leading proponent of 19th-century romantic music, will present concerts on September 30 and October 1 to open the sixth season of the San Miguel El Grande Pro Musica series. 

Gold has won acclaim for his interpretations of the repertoires of such violin virtuosos as Niccolò Paganini, Pablo de Sarasate, Antonio Bazzini and others. He achieved international recognition when he was chosen to be the private violin soloist for tenor Luciana Pavarotti. Gold also served as concertmaster and director of chamber music at the Spoleto Music Festival in Italy. 

The son of Russian émigré parents, Gold began his violin studies at age eight and is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where he studied under the legendary Jascha Heifetz. He now lives in San Francisco.

Gold has written and lectured extensively on Paganini and Sarasate, including the definitive books Paganini’s Art of Violin Playing and Sarasate: New Light on a Brilliant Star. His research into the life and work of Sarasate led to the discovery of several unpublished manuscripts.

Although steeped in the tradition of the Romantic style, Gold’s programs are not restricted to the 19th century. He is an all-around musician who has premiered and championed many 20th-century compositions while maintaining a large Baroque repertoire.

Accompanying Gold will be pianist Miles Graber, who has performed with artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Camilla Wicks and Sarah Chang and accompanied master classes by Nadia Salerno-Sonnenberg and other noted soloists. 

Tickets are available at La Conexión, Aldama 3; Sierra Nevada Hotel, Hospicio 46; Casa de Papel, Mesones 57; and St. Paul’s Church office, weekdays 11am to 2pm. The number to call for reservations during the same hours is 152-038. Tickets may be purchased at the door one hour before each concert.



Pro Musica concert calendar

The San Miguel el Grande Pro Musica presents 22 concerts during its sixth season, starting Septamber 30 and October 1 at St. Paul’s Church. The concerts, featuring 25 musicians from the United States, Canada, Israel and Mexico, will be:

Sept. 30, Oct. 1: Joseph Gold, violin; Miles Graber, piano, US

Oct. 28, 29: Arturo Nieto Dorantes, piano; Sebastien Lepine, cello, Québec

Nov. 18, 19: José White String Quartet, Aguascalientes, Mexico 

Dec. 9, 10: Adrian Justus, violin; Mauricio Nader, piano, Israel and Mexico City 

Jan. 27, 28: Daniel Moran, piano; Manelli Pirzadeh, piano, Móntreal

Feb. 10, 11: La Catrina String Quartet, US

Feb. 24, 25: Nigel Coxe, piano, US

Mar. 10, 11: José White String Quartet, Aguascalientes, Mexico

Apr. 14, 15: Ehecali Ensemble, Guanajuato

Jun. 23, 24: Musica Viva Trio and Emerald Duo, US

Jul. 14, 15: Timothy Andres, piano, US