Wednesday Jan 23 , the Cleveland Orchestra comes to the IU Auditorium. Music Director Franz Welser-Most will conduct. Special guest Joshua Bell will be performing Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D. Also on the program is Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique. Bell is the new Music Director of the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields.
"It'll be nice to come to Bloomington to play the concerto with an orchestra and a conductor. I've been touring a lot with that piece playing and conducting with the Academy. I really enjoy the joint role, but to have a great conductor and the opportunity to just play my part like chamber music can also be a wonderful experience.
I've only worked with Franz once before and I really enjoyed it. I think this is the first time that I'll be coming to Bloomington with an orchestra from outside. Cleveland has a special place in a lot of people's hearts in Bloomington because so many members of the faculty came from the Cleveland Orchestra including my teacher Joseph Gingold. He was the concert master under Szell for so many years. So it'll be a special occasion for me to be at home and playing with the legendary Cleveland Orchestra.
Also on Wednesday's concert the orchestra will be playing Hector Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique. We asked Bell if there's any chance that he and the ASMF might delve into that richly romantic piece? After a thoughtful pause, Bell said, "Well it's an amazing piece. It's not on my short list yet. I have so many things ahead of it, but it's a piece that I'm getting to know. It is an amazing piece and who knows. Maybe someday we'll do it."