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Violinist to tackle Bach, Paganini works

Published: Sunday, March 20, 2005 12:00 a.m. MST

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The music of J.S. Bach and Nicolo Paganini make an unusual combination for a recital. But for David Park, their differences in personality and musical styles are intriguing.

"Bach was very religious," Park said, "and Paganini was completely different. He lived life in the fast lane, and his persona was that of a rock star's."

Park will give a recital Monday, and on the program will be music by both composers. For the first half, he'll play Bach's Partita No. 3 in E major and the Chaconne from the Partita No. 2 in D minor. The second half will consist of 12 of Paganini's Caprices, op. 1. "It's an interesting pairing of composers. I haven't seen a program like this before. But Bach and Paganini are part of a violinist's life."

The Utah Symphony's assistant concertmaster, Park concedes that playing Bach and Paganini on the same program presents a challenge. "I have to transform myself from the personality of the serious and emotional Bach to that of Paganini's spontaneous, outgoing character. That will be difficult."

Park hit upon the idea of a recital featuring the two composers a couple of months ago and says that he feels Bach and Paganini actually have much in common as composers. "Both revolutionized violin playing. Bach's sonatas and partitas and Paganini's Caprices have an educational value. They allow violinists to further their technique."

Bach knew the violin well, Park said. "He was a violinist as well as an organist. And his father was a violinist, too."

And despite the immense differences in technique between Bach and Paganini, the baroque composer's music presents a tremendous challenge for the performer. "It's very difficult to perform Bach well. I'm always impressed whenever I hear his music well played. That is always a challenge for any violinist."

Park said that Monday's recital will be his first without an accompanist. "This is the first solo recital I'm doing. So many people have questioned my doing it. But it's good to go ahead and challenge yourself and do something you haven't done before."

He added that being onstage alone, without a piano, adds an extra dimension to a recital. "It makes it more difficult, because you're exposed. You can't hide behind the piano."

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