Violinist as storyteller Lindsay Deutsch to perform locally

Violinist Lindsay Deutsch will perform music from the film “The Red Violin” on her violin that was crafted in 1845. CONTRIBUTED

Credit: Contributed

Credit: Contributed

Violinist Lindsay Deutsch will perform music from the film “The Red Violin” on her violin that was crafted in 1845. CONTRIBUTED

Violinist Lindsay Deutsch hopes audiences don’t just think of her not just as a musician. Though talented as she is at her craft, she uses her instrument to become a storyteller, as well.

“With most music, there is no story. I hope through my music an audience conjures up a story in their own mind,” said Deutsch.

Springfield will have three chances to form stories through Deutsch’s music.

“An Evening With Lindsay Deutsch: Stories and Music” will allow the violinist to informally meet the community, perform and tell stories about her life in becoming a concert violinist as well as enjoy beverages and hors d’ oeuvres, 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Temple Sholom, 2424 N. Limestone St.

This event is free, but participants must have a reservation in advance as only 100 people will be admitted. Call the temple office at 937-399-1231 for reservations.

This is the second consecutive year the Symphony has presented a program jointly with the Temple Sholom.

She’ll be the guest musician at the Springfield Symphony Orchestra’s NightLights II concert, “Movie Magic,” at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Clark State Performing Arts Center.

Lastly, Deutsch will stay in town to do a residency with the Springfield Youth Symphony on Feb. 27.

It was at a similar youth event she met Springfield Symphony Orchestra conductor Maestro Peter Stafford Wilson. Both he and Deutsch found a bond and he asked her to perform in the new season.

“Not all conductors can follow a soloist well. With Peter, I could just close my eyes and he would be right there with me, allowing me to perform,” she said.

On the “Movie Magic” program, Deutsch will perform music from the film “The Red Violin,” a 1998 film with an international cast including Samuel L. Jackson about a fabled violin and its journey through several centuries and countries.

Not surprisingly, it speaks to Deutsch.

“I love the violin because it can bring such loud sounds and others so soft an audience struggles to hear it,” she said. “In an age where everything is so loud it’s nice to have those moments.”

She’ll also play on music from “Porgy and Bess.”

Deutsch likes taking risks on stage if the mood is there, bringing new life to a piece that may already be familiar.

“Music is alive. People enjoy seeing music unfold live and an audience can tell when you’re doing something different,” said Desutsch.

Deutsch is looking forward to the Temple Sholom appearance because it gives her the chance to do something different. The show will be in recital form with a pianist, giving her the chance to talk to the audience about the music, which is usually not accepted in classical concerts.

Working with youth symphonies is another of Deutsch’s favorite parts of her work as funding to many arts programs is being cut.

“It’s not as appreciated, and kids don’t always have that opportunity when you’re competing with other art forms,” she said. “Music is an important part of life.”

Contact this contributing writer at bturner004@woh.rr.com.


How to go

What: “An Evening With Lindsay Deutsch: Stories and Music”

Where: Temple Sholom, 2424 N. Limestone St., Springfield

When: 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23

Admission: Free; reservations required

More info: 937-399-1231 for reservations

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