Reflecting on Eugène Ysaÿe with May Zeng
Eugène Ysaÿe was a Belgian violinist, composer and conductor known as “the King of Violin” for his compelling and highly original performance style and musical ability. Ysaÿe possessed a large and flexible tone, influenced by a considerable variety of vibrato and his masterful ability with rubato.
May Zeng (Core artist - Violin) will be performing Ysaÿe’s Violin Sonata, Op. 27. No. 2. for solo violin in our November concert To Love and Grief. May shares with us what drew her to this piece, and what she hopes the audience learns about her when they listen to her play.
“When Danaë put the call out for music with the themes of death and desire, I immediately thought of Eugène Ysaÿe’s Violin Sonata, Op. 27. No. 2. for solo violin because of how Dies Irae (medieval poem "the Day of Wrath") is interwoven throughout this entire sonata - it’s a theme of death, doom and inevitable destruction.”
The Last Judgment attr. Hans Memling (c. 1467–1471)
“The second movement of the piece, Malinconia, is very close to my heart because it is so full of emotional depth, while also being technically challenging. It is a song of mourning, to me, it is also a song of comfort.
What I also find interesting about Ysaÿe’s music is there’s so much space, tension and contrast in his work. When I hear different violinists perform Ysaÿe, I feel like I can tell very quickly what’s important to them when they play. I hope that when the audience of To Love and Grief hear me play this piece, they will see that what is important to me is introspection, quiet vulnerability and a certain amount of punch - when it’s called for.”
To Love and Grief will be held at the Church of All Nations on Sunday the 15th of November at 7pm.
Second release tickets on sale now.
