Violinist Pinchas Zukerman’s current 10-day stay in Denver is unusual in the classical world, where musical stars tend to pop in, play a single program and leave town as soon as the applause dies down.
But Zukerman is the right man for such a job. He’s one of the biggest names in the business, easily able to draw crowds to multiple concerts. Plus, he’s the rare, versatile performer known for both conducting and solo turns with major orchestras, as well as intimate recitals. The extended visit gives him an opportunity to do it all.
“Instead of getting questions: ‘Does he still play? Does he still conduct?’ I’m just going to do it,” Zukerman said this week.
Zukerman, 66, has been playing since he was in the single digits, and his bio is legend. He was discovered in Israel by Isaac Stern, who ushered him to New York at the age of 14. He went to Juilliard, then built an international career on stage and recording. Eventually, he began conducting, scoring podium positions with prestigious ensembles around the world.
Along the way, he helped invent the modern classical soloist job and became a global celebrity. He’s been married three times, once to actress Tuesday Weld. Not a lot of classical musicians hook up with movie stars.
Denver audiences will get Zukerman in all sizes, starting with large, when he conducts Mozart’s massive “Requiem” with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra at Boettcher Concert Hall Nov 7, 8 and 9.
The concert features in-demand soprano Elizabeth Futral and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra Chorus, with Duain Wolfe directing.
“It’s an incredible tour de force, particularly for the chorus, which sings practically nonstop,” Zukerman said about the piece. “The sonority, the beauty, the harmony… it all unfolds naturally.”
The second concert, billed as “An Evening with Pinchas Zukerman,” on Nov. 14, will feel smaller. Scott O’Neil conducts the program, which features Zukerman as an instrumentalist with “a bit of music, a bit of talking,” he said. At one point, he’ll join CSO players for an intimate quintet.
The final event, at the Newman Center on Nov. 16, falls into the medium category. The program goes from Bach’s Violin Concerto No. 1 to Mozart’s Symphony No. 29. Zukerman will play and lead musicians from the CSO from his chair.
Zukerman notes that he has been in Colorado countless times in his carer, starting in the 1970s. He’s had long stints at the Aspen Music Festival and he’s worked with Wolfe on concerts in other cities.
He’s comfortable here, he said, and pleased to spend a little time collaborating deeply with musicians and showing the audiences his various skills.
“You get to know them. They get to know you,” he said. “There’s a trust factor on all sides of the stage.”
Ray Mark Rinaldi: 303-954-1540, rrinaldi@denverpost.com or twitter.com/rayrinaldi
More info
For info or tickets on the Boettcher Concert Hall events, call the CSO at 303-623-7876 or go online to coloradosymphony.org.
For the Newman Center concert, call 303-871-7720 or go to newmancenterpresents.com.