Two Satisfying Violin Styles at MAW's Chamber Concert

Tuesday night's chamber concert put on by Music Academy of the West presented a delightful contrast of two violin playing styles. MAW regular Kathleen Winkler joined fellow faculty members and the 19 year-old John Stoltz in Mozart's Quintet for Two Violin, Two Violas, and Cello in C Minor, and Takacs Quartet member Edward Dusinberre played Bach's Chaconne from Partita in D Minor for Solo Violin and a Brahms Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 2 in A Major with Margaret McDonald. While the pieces were from different musical eras and different combinations of instruments, the audience had the opportunity to hear two masterful violinists with different yet equally satisfying approaches to the music.

Ms. Winkler has a beautiful tone and seems to float a delicate line over a solid foundation of sound. Her playing is lyrical and has a clear direction without being square or stuffy. When one hears her play, there is a strong sense of movement in the piece. In contrast, Mr. Dusinberre plays with a relentless kind of technical mastery. He plays more within himself, but one has the distinct feeling that there is always some great energy barely held in check.

I truly enjoyed both approaches, and it is one of the delights of hearing an evening of chamber music with different players. One can achieve this at home by listening to different CDs, but there is nothing like comparing styles when one is listening live.

I wish I could find a decent image of Ms. Winkler, but the only one available doesn't look like her at all.