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David Serkin Ludwig’s Violin Concerto no.2 Paganiniana was commissioned by four music festivals that were all founded by virtuoso violinists: Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival, the Lake George Music Festival, the Portland Chamber Music Festival and the Kingston Chamber Music Festival for Soovin Kim, Barbora Kolarova, David McCarroll and Jasmine Lin.
’[It] immediately led me to think of Niccolò Paganini – a figure who both embodied and defined virtuosity – as the inspiration for the piece,’ says Ludwig. ’I chose the title of the piece as a nod to Milstein’s, which shares in concept with mine.’
Paganiniana is a single-movement chamber concerto divided into three sections. An extended opening cadenza appears in mirror image about two-thirds into the piece. The work comments on each of Paganini’s Caprices from no.1 to 24, unfolding like a continuous set of variations.
Hristova shares her insights on preparing the work: ’When David was writing Paganiniana for the violinists who had commissioned it, and would ask me whether something was too difficult, I remember saying, “Sure, you can write that – I don’t have to play it!”
’Then, years later, when I was actually learning it, I found myself thinking, “Wow…this is really hard!” It has since become one of my favourite pieces of his to perform. I love the way it pays tribute to Paganini in a modern voice while capturing the theatricality and rock-star energy that made him such a legendary figure.’
The accompanying Ensemble Échappé, conducted by Benjamin Grow, comprises Emi Ferguson, flute, Paul Cho, clarinet, Ben Russell, violin, Chris Gross, cello, Kevin Sims, percussion and Han Chen, piano.
The video was produced by Ludwig and Yuchan Li, with video director Daniel López and audio supervisor Sascha von Oertzen.
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