The three partitas and three sonatas that J.S. Bach wrote for solo violin have become yardsticks by which violinists measure their artistry. Few, if any, other works have attained this exalted place among musicians.
And within Bach's creative output, these six are among his greatest, exhibiting as they do a near perfect balance of contrapuntal techniques, mastery of form and subtle virtuosity. It's hardly a wonder that violinists consider these their supreme challenge.
Of the six works for solo violin, audiences are probably most familiar with the Partita in D minor, and specifically with its concluding Chaconne. The others are less well known from the concert stage, although technically and musically they are no less magnificent, nor any less demanding.
David Park considers the Sonata No. 3 in C major one of Bach's most taxing works. "It's the ultimate challenge for a violinist," he said. Park, the Utah Symphony's assistant concertmaster, will be playing the C major Sonata next week at his first Salt Lake City recital in several years.
"The Bach is very special music," Park said, "because each movement is different in its own way." The second movement fugue, in particular, fascinates him. "Each of the three sonatas has a fugue, and the fugue in the Third is the longest one and, as far as I know, the longest one Bach wrote."
Park said the sonata has special significance for him. "I learned the C major from scratch. I wasn't influenced by any other violinist, so this is strictly my own interpretation." Park said he always had a profound respect for the C major Sonata, but it wasn't until about a year and a half ago that he decided to learn it. "That was around the time I bought a DVD of Glenn Gould playing the 'Goldberg' Variations. I got very involved with Gould and his interpretation of Bach. Watching him play the Variations inspired me to learn the sonata." Park added that the sonata was a major project for him. "No other piece has taken me so long to memorize and learn."
Preceding the Bach in the first half of the recital will be Mozart's Violin Sonata in E minor, K. 304. "This is the only (violin) sonata in a minor key," Park said. "There is another one that goes between major and minor, but the K. 304 is the only one in minor. And that makes it interesting just for this fact."
Park said that he carefully chooses his programs for his recitals. "I think this is an ideal program, because there is the right mix and balance of different styles. There is good variety — just like a gourmet meal."
For the second half of his recital, Park will play two works inspired by Gypsies — Ravel's "Tzigane" and Sarasate's "Zigeunerweisen." He said he was influenced in his choices by his trip to France last summer. "I got the idea to do two Gypsy pieces when I was in France." One day he ended up at a stall at an open market in a town in Provence that had violins on display. As he was trying one of them out, the owner came and spoke to him. "But he only spoke French, and the only word I recognized was 'tzigane' ('Gypsy')."
Park added that there is also a French connection with the Mozart sonata, since it was written while Mozart and his mother were living in Paris. "It was not one of his happiest periods. His mother passed away while they were in Paris, and the sonata has a tinge of sadness to it. You can feel his sorrow in the music."
Park said that each piece on the program has a story behind it. One of his favorites relates to "Zigeunerweisen." "This was the first piece I won a competition with, when I was 12 or 13 years old. It was one of the first exciting moments in my life."
At the time, Park was the concertmaster of the orchestra at his junior high school. He was also athletic and good at sports. So he tried to hide the fact that he played violin, because he wanted to be one of the popular kids at school. One day, the conductor of the orchestra asked Park if he would play the violin at one of the assemblies. "We had music assemblies every once in a while, and everyone hated to go to them. When he asked me to play, I said, 'No way!' "
Park finally gave in and decided to play "Zigeunerweisen." "But right before me, there was a drummer who played a tape by AC/DC, and I had to go on right after him. It was bad enough for everyone to find out that I played violin, but the pianist who was to accompany me didn't show up, so I had to play it by myself."
As it turned out, Park was a big hit. "I got more response than the drummer did." His performance also motivated students to sign up for the orchestra. But what made Park happier was that the girl he liked at school, who didn't even know he existed before the assembly, suddenly took an interest in him and started talking to him. "You can really reach young people if you expose them to music," he said wryly.
Also on the program will be Ysaye's Sonata No. 3, "Ballade," for solo violin. Pianist Larry Gee will accompany.
If you go. . .
What: Violinist David Park
Where: Jeanne Wagner Theatre
When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
How much: $15 general, $10 senior citizens and students
Phone: 355-2787 or 1-888-451-2787
Web:www.arttix.org
E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com