In an effort to connect Bach’s Six Sonatas and Partitas to the present world, violinist Jennifer Koh launched “Bach and Beyond,” a three-part recital series. Premiering this year, she presents Part II at the Howard Performing Arts Center on Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 4 p.m. as part of the Howard Center Presents… series for the 2012-2013 season. 

Perhaps her strongest passion is the recital series, “Bach and Beyond,” she debuted in 2009. Her musical curiosity and artistry is shown in her repertoire for the various recitals. Her Part II recital will feature a new work for solo violin by Phil Kline and Bartok’s Sonata for Solo Violin, bookended by Bach’s Sonata No. 1 and Partita No. 1. The series explores the history of the solo violin repertoire from Bach’s Six Sonatas and Partitas to modern day composers including commissioned works. 

“I believe that contemporary music recreates the thread to which we can connect back to past works of art. When exploring solo violin works written in the Classical, Romantic and present day periods, I have found the compositions to be especially directly connected to Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas,” Koh explained.

Koh has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Chattanooga Symphony and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. She was featured on NPR’s “What Makes it Great,” for her performance of Mendelssohn’s Concerto for Piano and Violin with pianist Benjamin Hochman and the Asheville Symphony.

Currently, Koh is the first female to perform the solo violin role of Einstein in Robert Wilson and Philip Glass’s Einstein on the Beach.
 
Born in Chicago of Korean parents, the Suzuki-method trained musician debuted with the Chicago Symphony at the ripe age of 11. She graduated from Oberlin College and later studied with Jaime Laredo and Felix Galimir at the Curtis Institute. 
 
Tickets for Jennifer Koh can be purchased by calling the Howard Performing Arts Center box office at 269-471-3560 or 888-467-6442. Tickets for reserved seating are $15, faculty and staff tickets are $10 and student tickets are $5. Special rates apply for groups and Flex Series tickets. Learn more by visiting www.howard.andrews.edu.