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Stefan Jackiw is an American violinist. His mother is Korean and his father is German of Ukranian origin -- but he's from Boston. If that doesn't qualify as someone from America's melting pot, nothing does.

This season, he has performed Mendelssohn in Baltimore, Prokofiev in Philadelphia, Sibelius in Nashville, Mozart in London and a special performance on YouTube from the Sydney Opera House. Now, he's coming to Kansas City for the last concert series of the season by the Kansas City Symphony, and not incidently, the last ever concerts in the Lyric Theatre.

We asked him about  the Bruch Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra, Op. 46 which he is performing on Symphony's season finale.

David Peirronet: Max Bruch's compositions are filled with melody, and for that reason are very popular with audiences. What draws you to this particular piece, the Bruch Scottish Fantasy? What about this composition makes you want to bring your interpretation to audiences?

Stefan Jackiw: I love the Bruch Scottish Fantasy because it is full of mood and atmosphere—the opening sounds like a somber Scottish funeral march. The third movement, which i think it one of the most beautiful movements ever written for the violin, is based on the Scottish folk tune "Annie Laurie." Overall, I think the piece is a perfect blend of folksy lyricism and fiery virtuosity.

DP: The harp will play a prominent role in this music. When you come to a new city such as Kansas City, how do you go about coordinating your performance with that of the harpist, especially if you have never met the harpist before you begin rehearsals?

SJ: Most of the coordinating with the harpist comes through listening to each other during the rehearsals and in the concert. I find that it's usually not necessary to verbally discuss phrasing choices ahead of time. If we're listening to each other and sensitive to each other's musical instincts, everything tends to fall into place in a natural, organic way. Sometimes, it's not even possible to plan a phrase through words.

DP: You will perform in the last concert which will ever be held in Kansas City's Lyric Theatre. The next time our orchestra performs in Kansas City, it will be in the new Kauffman Center. Is there something special about this weekend series of performances which you associate with helping the Kansas City Symphony leap forward?

SJ: I didn't know that these concerts mark the final performances at the Lyric Theatre! This is so exciting that the Symphony will be moving into a new home! I know that so many great artists have played with the KCS at the Lyric Theatre, so it's an honor for me to be the last guest soloist

DP: Would you come back to our new performance hall?

SJ: In a heartbeat.

Also on the program are Mendelssohn's The Hebrides Overture, "Fingal's Cave," and Tchaikovsky's Symphony  No. 4.  Performances will be at 8 PM on Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18 in the Lyric Theatre; and at 2 PM on Sunday, June 19 at Yardley Hall.  Michael Stern, music director, will conduct.  The June 18 concert will be the last to be held in the Lyric Theatre.

By David Peironnet

Special to KCM

David Peironnet has been a concert-goer for more years than he would care to admit, and can clearly recall hearing the Kansas City Philharmonic under the baton of Hans Schweiger. This comes from someone who admits to be only 24 years old though acknowleges that his undergraduate degree was not in math but rather political science -- a group of people who are notoriously able to see only those facts they want to see in statistical data.

David has churned out the newsletter for the Friends of the Symphony - Kansas City for six or seven years. He doesn't recall and really doesn't care how many years it has been because the only thing that's important is the next deadline -- and the one after that.

This is one of a series of interviews he runs periodically usually consisting of five open-ended questions which reveal answers which can give information to the person walking into a concert hall for the first time, or like himself have been enjoying concerts for many years.

David and Kathy Peironnet frequently work at the Friends of the Symphony gift shop which is located in the lobby of the Lyric Theatre. The next time you come to a concert, stop by and say, "hello." Ask for a copy of the current FoS newsletter. If a copy isn't available, just ask and one will be mailed to you.

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