SLO Symphony Chamber Players present Vivaldi's

SLO Symphony Chamber Players present Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" at the Missions

Posted: Jan 11, 2013 8:06 AM by Dan Shadwell
Updated: Jan 30, 2013 2:36 PM

With the arrival of this chilly weather, you may be looking forward to a change of seasons.
This weekend, the San Luis Obispo Symphony Chamber Players will feature the most famous piece in music history, written specifically to characterize those feelings.
In today's local spotlight, violinist Shunske Sato gives us a preview of the concerts scheduled this weekend for the San Miguel, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara Missions.

The acoustics in Mission San Luis Obispo are nothing short of astonishing. As we were preparing for our interview, Julliard trained Shunske Sato strolled through the chamber, improvising a tune that took on an magical air.
Though he's only played two of the Four Seasons" composed by Antonio Vivaldi, Sato says that's to his benefit.
"It was an advantage for me to come to these pieces with a completely fresh eye," the musician explains.
That piece, written almost 300 years ago, doesn't include a lot of specific clues from the composer about how it ought to be played. Vivaldi left room for interpretation and even improvisation. Sato says that keeps the music fresh.
"Vivaldi is for me, a composer that always re-invents himself for you," he says, "...and he speaks to you anew each time."
Sato is a fan of the compositions of the 17th and 18th centuries. He's recorded many pieces by baroque composers and regularly performs those works with ensembles throughout Europe. He recently won the Audience Prize at 17th International Johann Sebastian Bach competition in Leipzig.
"What I very much dislike is simply playing a piece of music and making it sound pretty and walking off stage," he explains. "I want to be able to say something... Something really concrete. I aim to speak with the music," he says, smiling.
And this weekend, you can hear the ancient walls of the Missions join the conversation.
Shunske Sato will perform the "Four Seasons" as well as a new composition, "Ecos Armonicos," written by composer Craig Russel, based on early mission music. He'll be joined by the SLO Symphony Chamber Players and Conductor Michael Nowak.
There's a concert Saturday afternoon at Mission San Miguel, but that one is already sold-out.
However, there are still tickets available for Saturday evening's performance at Mission San Luis Obispo, and Sunday's afternoon concert at Mission Santa Barbara.
For more information, just click on "links" at ksby.com