Virtuoso concert violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn is Jill's guest this week. She performs in partnership with one of the world's most legendary instruments, the Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius of 1720, which inspired the Academy award-winning film The Red Violin. She gave the Southern California premiere of The Red Violin Chaconne in 2000. Pitcairn has cultivated a world-renowned reputation for the soulful music that she creates with her famous violin.
She'll perform as soloist in Philadelphia on Friday, May 22nd with Orchestra 2001 at the Kimmel Center when they play the Red Violin Suite, based on themes from the film.
Born into a musical family in Bucks County, Pa., Pitcairn began studying the violin at age three and performed her first concerto with orchestra at age 14. Under the direction of Maestro Luis Biava, Pitcairn performed with Temple University's Center for Gifted Young Musicians in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Youth Orchestra in San Juan and Ponce. Her path then brought her to Los Angeles to study with preeminent violin professor Robert Lipsett at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. After winning a major competition, she appeared as soloist with The Philadelphia Orchestra at the Academy of Music.
In 2008, Pitcairn collaborated with Lionsgate Films for the 10th anniversary re-release of The Red Violin DVD, in special feature documentary interviews by Pitcairn and composer John Corigliano. She is featured performing on the Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius and discussing the inspiring history of the mysterious instrument.
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