Debra Li

    ACCLAIMED as one of the top 10 contemporary violinists in the world, Israeli-born Pinchas Zukerman, 60, is the youngest of the group. He will grace the Shenzhen stage for the first time Sunday night with renditions of Bach and Beethoven concertos.

    “I chose ‘Brandenburg’ (also known as ‘Concerto No. 3 in G Major’) and ‘Violin Concerto No. 2 in E Major’ by Bach and a Beethoven concerto because these are what I deem to be wonderful music,” Zukerman told the Shenzhen Daily during a rehearsal break in Macao on Thursday.

    He will be the chief violinist as well as conductor in a collaboration with the Macao Orchestra, giving the audience a glimpse into his versatility. He also played viola in concerts together with violinist Itzhak Perlman, in what was the most popular string duo in the world.

    He uses his bow arm, the posture of his violin, his eyes, his breath, and primarily his music to conduct the orchestra, a feat hardly achieved by other violinists.

    “Music has such huge psychological implications for society that it has the power to bind people together, especially in bad times,” the master said.

    “The audience doesn’t need to explain it, while they can describe it. When they listen to Vivaldi’s ‘The Four Seasons,’ they can picture scenes in their minds, like the spring sunshine and summer sea. Musicians, on the other hand, need to explain it, because there are physical things they have to do about it.”

    Asked about his triple role as a violinist, conductor and pedagogue, Zukerman said he would continue his efforts in all arenas. “It’s not as complicated as you think,” he said, “when I start to play, and hear the powerful and incredible music, all I need to do is to listen to my thoughts. But sure, I keep practicing every day so that the audience still wants to listen to me.”

    The master made his Chinese debut in 1995 in Beijing, and performed in Shanghai again last year. His friendship with China, however, began a long time ago.

    “Fu Cong is the first Chinese musician I befriended. We met in New York in 1967,” he recalled. Zukerman also acquired many Chinese students and friends in the years that followed.

    “It’s a perception that Asian people are doing well in the West in the music field,” he said.

    He has never been to Shenzhen, but his good friend Zubin Mehta told him that the Shenzhen Concert Hall was the best in China. “I believe him and am looking forward to Sunday’s concert,” he said.

    On his third China tour this year, he will also perform at the Macao Art Festival as well as in Shanghai and Wuhan.

    As to the title “one of top 10 violinists,” Zukerman dismissed it as a sheer vanity coined by people. “My good friend Chris Botti (a trumpet player) was chosen by People magazine as one of the top 50 sexiest men. I guess that’s a similar thing,” he said.

    He plays a 1742 “Dushkin” Guarnerius del Gesu violin. When asked the price of it, he joked: “100 yuan, I guess.”

Pinchas Zukerman and the Macao Orchestra                                  

    Johann Sebastian Bach:

    Brandenburg (Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV1048)

    Allegro moderato

    Allegro    

    Johann Sebastian Bach:

    Violin Concerto No. 2, in E Major, BWV1042

    Allegro

    Adagio

    Allegro assai    

    Ludwig van Beethoven:

    Violin Concerto in D Major, op. 61

    Allegro ma non troppo

    Larghetto

    Rondo: Allegro    

    (The program is subject to change.)

    Time: 8 p.m., May 18

    Tickets: 100-880 yuan

    Reservations: 11185, 8981-2344

    Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, at the intersection of Hongli Road and Fuzhong Road 1, Futian District (福田区红荔路和福中一路交汇处深圳音乐厅)

    Buses: 10, 15, 25, 35, 38, 41, 54, 60, 64, 65, 71, 107, 108, 111

    Metro: Shao Nian Gong Station (Children’s Palace Station 少年宫站), Exit C or D