Posted by Ari Þ.V. on May 20, 1999 at 16:43:52:
I just wanted to tell everyone that I went to the most amazing concert this evening. Ms.Rachel Barton, violinist, played with the Iceland symphony orchestra. She is undoubtedly one of the world's best violinists. The main piece was Wieniawski Violin Concerto no.1, which was fabulous. Then she played Polonaise by the same composer. As an encore she played "The Last Rose of Summer" by Ernst, which is immensely difficult, (and that's an understatement) and then she played an arrangement (probably her own) of Chicago's three favorite songs; can't remember which ones they were, but one I believe was made famous by Frank Sinatra and another from the Blues Brothers (or something like that)). I was so lucky to get to play for her shortly on Tuesday and she is also a great teacher. She's playing here again on Sunday, a whole bunch of pyrotechnical pieces. (One of the numbers is any Paganini caprice picked by the audience.) So, if she's ever giving a concert near you, don't miss it.
Best wishes from Iceland,
Ari Þór Vilhjálmsson