Breaking new ground is a lifestyle for virtuoso violinist Leila Josefowicz.
She’ll be doing just that when she performs the world premiere of Mark Grey’s “Elevation” for solo violin and orchestra with the Colorado Music Festival on Sunday.
“It’s special when someone composes something with only you in mind,” said Josefowicz, 28, who previously recorded Grey’s “San Andreas Suite.” “Mark studied all forms of music, including world music, and he’s developed an amazing musical language. He’s got a great sense of unpredictable harmony and very strong rhythms, which I really enjoy.”
Josefowicz also credits the San Francisco-area composer/sound designer with allowing the imagination of the performer to enter in the development of his music.
“I love being able to make suggestions like ‘Can we make this phrase sound like one long line?”‘ she said. “New music doesn’t often give you that opportunity, but Mark and I have worked together a lot, and it’s fun to explore with him ways to keep things musically simple and coherent.”
According to Josefowicz, Michael Christie – in his sixth season at the helm of the 30-year-old Boulder festival – is just the guy to direct the “Elevation” debut.
“He’s young and daring, and he’s eager to understand everything about what he’s doing,” she said, recalling her May performance with the Phoenix Symphony, which Christie also directs. “He’s also an advocate of new music, and he loves Mark’s music.”
Josefowicz is acutely aware of the challenge of engaging general audiences in new music.
“The hardest part about introducing unknown music is that it really hinges on the quality of the performance, which puts a huge responsibility on the performer,” she said. “Twentieth- or 21st-(century) music requires a great deal of thought – each chord change, each inflection means a lot. That’s why it’s so important to collaborate with composers so you can know the personality behind what’s created.”
Currently reading up on Beethoven, Josefowicz applies the same technique to performing standard repertoire.
“When you look at music in a new way, you have revelations the can bring a fresh perspective to works that are assumed to be known,” she said. “I don’t listen to other violinists and their interpretations. I know what I want to do, and I’m not really interested in what other violinists are doing. I just really want to keep focusing on my own voice.”
That approach seems to be working. The cover girl of last month’s BBC Music Magazine and the April 2006 issue of The Strad, Josefowicz is riding a wave of publicity for her most recent recording of works by Dmitri Shostakovich, including the Russian composer’s first violin concerto.
“I have a certain commitment to a goal,” said the graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music. “For me, discovering and communicating something new is incredibly important.
“It’s easier to perform pieces by known composers, but I have trouble with preconceived notions. I like to dive into new music, especially music with contrasts – very strong rhythms, extreme lyricism and long, melodic lines.”
It’s no surprise that Josefowicz is keeping step with Marin Alsop, the Colorado Symphony Orchestra’s conductor laureate and another pivotal female figure on the world stage. The duo will appear in concert with the New York Philharmonic on July 22 as part of the of the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival.
“Working with Marin is fantastic,” said Josefowicz, who will perform “Elevation” again in August at Alsop’s Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. “We’re definitely on the same wavelength.”
When she’s not busy performing, Josefowicz’s 6-year-old son keeps her on her toes.
“He’s a wonderful influence in my life,” she said. “Without him, my life would probably be too serious. Now, my life is serious in all the right ways.”
A little old, a little new
Leila Josefowicz will appear three more times in Colorado this month. Here are the details:
COLORADO MUSIC FESTIVAL|Josefowicz and Michael Christie, conductor|7:30 tonight, works by Ligeti, Mendelssohn and Dvorák; 7:30 Sunday, world premiere of Mark Grey’s “Elevation” and works by Copland and Mozart; both nights with the Colorado Music Festival Chamber Orchestra|Chautauqua Auditorium, 900 Baseline Road, Boulder|$10-$45|303-440-7666 or coloradomusicfest.org
BRAVO! VAIL VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL|Josefowicz, violin, and Marin Alsop, conductor|works by Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Shostakovich with the New York Philharmonic|6 p.m. July 22|Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, Vail|$21-82|877-812-5700 or vailmusicfestival.org
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RICHARD SWIFT & THE SONS OF NATIONAL FREEDOM When this fascinating, vaudeville-inspired songwriter brings his untouchable pop melodies to the Hi-Dive on Friday, it’s bound to be a party. If you like big, messy, folk-minded indie rock and haven’t heard of this fellow – or you want to hear why he owes you a dollar – don’t miss Swift’s show.
CRITERIA There’s something magnetic about Stephen Peder- sen’s voice. Pedersen, who got his start in Cursive, brings his current project Criteria (also on Omaha’s Saddle Creek Records) to the Marquis on Friday.
PAUL OAKENFOLD The man who has personified the globetrotting superstar DJ for 10-plus years brings his deep record collection to the Mile High City on Tuesday for a gig at Vinyl. It’s a special Tuesday night at the Denver club, which is hosting the trance god and former U.K. resident. (That’s right: Oakie now lives full time in Los Angeles.)
– Ricardo Baca
