Performance to Remember by World Acclaimed Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers

By Bonnie Carroll

Audience members, Nir Kabaretti, and the entire Santa Barbara Symphony had a very emotional and unexpected surprise during the Sunday Afternoon Granada Theater Matinee when renowned Mexican composer Arturo Marquez appeared on stage following Anne Akiko Meyers breath taking performance of the Fandango piece written specifically for her by Marquez. 

This new piece made its world premiere with the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl recently and was written for Anne Akiko Meyers by Marquez. Myers is a trailblazing violinist whose exquisite artistry has enraptured musicians, audiences, and critic for decades. Regularly performing on the world stages, Meyers is celebrated by many of today’s most important who have written and dedicated significant works to her. 

Meyers grew up in Southern California where she and her mother traveled 3.5 hours each way from the Mojave Desert to Pasadena to work with Alice and Eleanore Schoenfeld at the Colburn School of Performing Arts. After ongoing studies with Josef Gingold at Indiana University she moved to New York at age 14 to study with Felix Galimir, Masao Kawasaki and legendary teacher Dorothy DeLay at the Julliard School.  Meyers performs on the EX-Vieuxtemps Guarneri del Gesu dated 1741 a priceless violin considered by many to be the finest sounding violin in existence. 

The program was performed without intermission and included Bizet: Carmen Suite, I Prelude and Aragonaise, II. Intermesso, III. Seguedille, IV. Les Dragons d’Alcala. Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol, op. 34, I Alborada, II. Variazioni, III. Alborada, Iv. Scena e canto gitano, V. Fangango Asturiano. Arturo Marquea: Fandango for Violin and Orchestra, I. Folia Tropical, II. Plegaria (Chacona), III. Fandanguito and Arturo Marquez: Danzon No. 2. 

It was a very large symphony being conducted by Nir Kabaretti, Music & Artistic Director and was one of the most exciting musical afternoons I can remember. Rimsky-Korsakov selections were alive and vibrant. The Latin, Spanish and Mexican flavors of Bizet and Arturo Marquez pieces filled the entire theatre with life and at times lilting joy.  

All the patrons sitting around me expressed how lucky we all were to experience composer Arturo Marquez live on stage with Nir Kabaretti, the Santa Barbara Symphony and the amazing violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, which was a first-time reunion in many years. People left the theatre and walked down State Street appearing to be filled with happiness!

Maestro Nir Kabaretti’s exciting 2022/23 concert season is irresistible. As an internationally recognized symphony & opera conductor, Nir has curated a Santa Barbara season that honors timeless traditions, fan favorites, extraordinary guest artists, and community collaborations worthy of the Symphony’s 70th Anniversary milestone. With some of the most in-demand orchestral and film studio musicians ever assembled, every concert proves to be a not-to-be-missed experience. 

Tickets available for the Thursday, May 5 – 7:30 pm performance of Fandango Picante.  For information visit: TheSymphony.org or call 806-898-9386.