During World War I, Igor Stravinsky used music to tell the story of a deserting soldier who, in exchange for his violin (his soul), made a pact with the devil to obtain a book that would give him everything he wanted. In 1998, Wynton Marsalis remade this work. The writing remains eclectic; a mixture of jazz, tango, blues, ragtime and waltzes. In the reconfigured story, a young violinist dreams of becoming famous and, to achieve this, she also makes a demonic deal. She achieves stardom, but does not avoid dissatisfaction. There are lessons to be learnt. Happiness always requires something in return, and it can even be an illusion. Sacrifice doesn’t have to be the right choice, especially if we give up what is truly essential to us.
The Violinist’s Story [For school audiences]
Metropolitana’s Soloists
Winthon Marsalis Suite from The Violinist’s Story
Nuno Silva clarinet
Lurdes Carneiro bassoon
Sérgio Charrinho trumpet
trombonist to be announced
José Pereira violin
Vladimir Kouznetsov double bass
percussionist to be announced
José Teixeira narration
Jorge Camacho musical direction
