Q&A with Violinist Vadim Gluzman

Vadim Gluzman has built an international reputation for his passionate, deeply expressive playing and his extraordinary connection to the music he performs. On October 9–11, the acclaimed violinist joins former Colorado Symphony Music Director Andrew Litton for Leonard Bernstein’s Serenade after Plato’s “Symposium,” a work Gluzman knows intimately.

Ahead of his performances in Denver, we caught up with Gluzman to talk about Bernstein, the unique relationship between a soloist and an orchestra, and what makes this music so enduring.

Q: You’ve said that Bernstein’s Serenade is a piece you know “sideways and backwards” and that it’s part of your being, physically and emotionally. What is it about this work that has made such a deep and lasting connection with you?

Vadim Gluzman: My story with this piece has begun in 1998 when I was invited to perform Bernstein’s Serenade with Hamburg Ballet, in a production called “Bernstein Dances” by the great American choreographer John Neumeier. It was to be first of many collaborations with this great artist, whose work influenced me in so many ways. Seeing this masterwork interpreted through the language of dance made an undeniable impression and has remained with me ever since. Since then, I have performed the Serenade all over the world, recorded it — this piece became a very important part of my repertoire, one I never get tired of playing!

Q: Bernstein’s Serenade is inspired by Plato’s Symposium and explores different ideas and expressions of love. How do you think that philosophical foundation comes through in the music, and how does it shape the way you approach the piece as a performer?

Vadim Gluzman: Bernstein has said himself not to take this story literally — famously he suggested “just think of love”… For me, besides the philosophical allusions, more importantly, this is a very human work. Love has so many sides, shapes and forms — mother’s love to a child, first romantic love, or one which has lasted a lifetime. Love is intimate, deep, heartbreaking, funny… Bernstein’s Serenade speaks of it so eloquently in a language that transcends borders and time!

Q: You’ll be performing the Serenade with Andrew Litton, who returns to Denver after serving as the Colorado Symphony’s Music Director. What makes Litton an especially compelling musical partner for this particular piece?

Vadim Gluzman: I will have to say that for me Andrew Litton is an incredible musical partner. Period! No matter what repertoire, city, country — it is always an incredible joy to make music with Andrew! We have performed and recorded for decades together, and I can’t wait to return to Denver and bring this extra extraordinary work to the Colorado Symphony public!

OCT 9 – 11

Bernstein & Ravel with Vadim Gluzman & Andrew Litton

PRESENTED BY CPR CLASSICAL

STRAVINSKY  La baiser de la fée: Divertimento
BERNSTEIN  Serenade, after Plato’s “Symposium”
RAVEL  Valses Nobles et sentimentales
RAVEL  La valse, poème chorégraphique

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