Connecticut’s Public Television (CPTV) holiday drive is here, and there is cause to celebrate!
CPTV has locked in several shows coming up at the Bushnell in Hartford, CT this spring and summer. Tonight they were holding one of their fund raisers and were featuring performances of David Garrett, Live in Berlin, and the 10 man acapella group that burst out on YouTube about a year ago, the Straight, No Chaser singers, in a performance that was taped in New York.
Watching David Garrett play his violin is inspiring
I have seen other television performances of David Garrett, and he is enigmatic with his sexy face, long tied back hair, and eyes full of life. As he holds his violin and walks around the stage and into the crowd, you can almost picture him walking in a field in Germany, (his native home) with a flock of sheep, birds and butterflies following him because the music he makes is one with nature, so beautiful.
He has a knack for blending classical and pop and the show featured a Rock Tribute that started out with a driving beat and quickly escalated into many instruments in harmony with a full orchestra and David Garrett leading the way.
At one point, David and the Orchestra played Michael Jackson’s, ‘Billy Jean’, and he used his bow with such urgency during the chorus, where the song goes “Bill Jean, Can you Hear Me, Can you hear me, Billy Jean” that it reminded me of how a hummingbird’s wings sound as they hover.
A CPTV fund raiser quoted him as being “one of the fastest violinists in the world”. His energy is captivating and inspiring.
I particularly liked watching how he used his eyes and smile to communicate with a room of people, while he kept his head down, holding his violin in place. Some artists make beautiful music and are dull to watch.
Not David, he is expressive in not only his facial movements, his on and off stage movements, but also with the way he plays the violin. He makes it look so natural and yet I understand, the violin is one of the hardest instruments to learn how to play because of the way the bow moves, and because the fingering is so tight on the neck.
Straight No Chaser is exactly how you want to watch this group, watch and remember
The other show featured tonight was the A Capella men’s group that sang barber shop quartet style with no accompaniments was the Straight No Chasers. I didn’t watch the whole show as I had to stop and order tickets. I had never seen them before. They were awesome. The gentlemen performed old and new songs. One of my favorites was their version of “in the jungle”.
If you enjoy harmonies and hearing people use their voices like musical instruments, this show is one you will want to go and see for yourself.
How to Order tickets to David Garrett and/or The Straight No Chasers shows:
Call CPTV at (800)-683-2112 for the David Garret Show at the Bushnell, Hartford, CT, Feb. 19th @ 7:30 or the Straight No Chaser Acapella Group on April 15th.
Tis the season for giving. Supporting local public television and sharing great musical memories is a great holiday gift idea for Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, a Birthday, Valentine’s Day or just as a wonderful evening out.
Tickets range from $80 to $250 a pair, depending upon show and seat location.
References:
http://www.cptv.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E-47VmFopE
