Dr. Eli Kalman of the Department of Music has arranged an extraordinary concert with Milwaukee Symphony violinist Frank Almond, described as a truly fantastic performer of “intoxicating brilliance and immense panache” (Washington Post). Concertmaster Almond will be playing on the rare “Lipinski Stradivarius,” a 300-year-old violin with a spectacular history, having passed through the hands and lives of a number of composers, beginning with Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770). The latest chapter in the history of this remarkable instrument was widely covered in the national news, due to its theft in Milwaukee last year and its return to Concertmaster Almond. (Read a November 2014 Vanity Fair article chronicling the episode: http://www.vanityfair.com/society/2014/11/stradivarius-violin-crime-milwaukee).

On March 13, Mr. Almond will partner with UW Oshkosh pianist Eli Kalman for a recital that will feature music for violin and piano directly connected to the Lipinski Stradivarius, including Tartini’s most famous work, the “Devil’s Trill” Sonata, a virtuoso solo piece by Karol Lipiński (d. 1861), and Robert Schumann’s Sonata in d minor – these last two certainly performed during the lifetimes of each, with Schumann at the piano and Lipiński playing this very instrument. Also included will be the one-of-a-kind masterwork of Ravel celebrating the Blues.

Come share the rare experience of hearing one of the world’s remaining Stradivarius instruments, played by and with master musicians who bring distinction to UW Oshkosh!

This event is sponsored by the UW Oshkosh Department of Music.