Embrace Romance: Violin Virtuoso Iskandar Widjaja in Recital

From Dvořák and Gershwin to a selection of Asian, American, and European works - as well as Iskander's own compositions - themed around romance. Join us for a special Valentine’s Day musical evening.

PROGRAM

Kreisler: Präludium & Allegro
Grieg: Sonata No.3 in c minor
F. Chopin: Nocturne c sharp minor (arr. Milstein)
Dvořák: Romantic Pieces
P. Tchaikovsky: Valse- scherzo op.34

intermission

E. John: Can you feel the love tonight
J. Kuhn: Colors of the wind
E. Sheeran: Perfect
I. Widjaja: Spirited away
I. Widjaja: Lacrimae
Yiruma: Kiss the rain
Yiruma: River flows in you
Hisaishi: Princess Mononoke- Legend of Ashitaka
Hisaishi: Howls moving castle Merry go round of life
Gershwin: Concert Fantasy on Porgy and Bess

For more information about the event, visit dvoraknyc.org.

ABOUT

Labeled both as “Worldclass-Violinist” (Stuttgarter Zeitung) and “Rockstar” (The Jakarta Post), Iskandar Widjaja connects worlds. The son of Arabic-Dutch and Chinese-Indonesian parents grew up with classical music and has performed as a soloist with internationally renowned ensembles such as the Deutsche Symphonie-Orchester and Konzerthaus Orchestra Berlin; the Munich, Warsaw and Shanghai Philharmonics; Sydney Symphony; Orchestre de la Suisse Romande; Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna, and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta. Simultaneously, he has developed a parallel showbiz career in East Asia, with regular TV appearances and many related activities.

He entered the Berlin “Hanns Eisler” conservatoire as an extraordinary student at the age of eleven.  Awarded many international prizes even as a teenager and while studying, he has worked with the great names of classical music such as Zubin Mehta, Christoph Eschenbach, Rolando Villazón, Cameron Carpenter, David Foster, Anggun, Itamar Golan and Fazil Say in halls such as the Elbphilharmonie; Philharmonie and Konzerthaus Berlin; Tonhalle Zurich; Shanghai Cultural Arts Center; Hong Kong City Hall; or the Tel Aviv Opera House. He is also often to be seen at mass-media events ranging from the Davis Cup, EXPO Milan, and Fashion Week in Paris to the world premiere in Vienna’s Konzerthaus of the suite for violin and orchestra “Across the Stars” from Star Wars. 

In addition to the traditional repertoire, he created the concept-concert “Bach&ZEN” in collaboration with a ZEN-Master and also works as a composer and songwriter. His compositions cannot be narrowed down to one genre, but combine influences of film music, baroque, pop and hiphop.

Iskandar is strongly committed to educational projects for children in the Asian Pacific region, typically in collaboration with UNICEF or the WWF.  Supported by KOMPAS Gramedia, Indonesia’s biggest media group, and the “besharp foundation” he organizes charity events to finance musical instruments and instruction for orphans, street-, and schoolchildren. His personality and energy are aptly summed up by the string players’ house magazine The Strad, in the following words: “Iskandar Widjaja, a true force of nature.” He plays the “Stephens” 1690 Stradivari and an 1875 JB Vuillaume.

This event is organized by the Dvorak American Heritage Association with support of the Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association.

Host or Publisher Dvorak American Heritage Association