NY Philharmonic Presents THE RED VIOLIN with Joshua Bell

The New York Philharmonic will present a complete screening of The Red Violin with John Corigliano's Academy Award-winning score performed live, featuring violinist Joshua Bell - the soundtrack's original soloist - and conducted by Michael Stern. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the film's US theatrical release. The concerts will take place Tuesday, October 16, 2018, at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, October 20 at 8:00 p.m.

John Corigliano wrote that composing the score for The Red Violin allowed him to pay homage to his father, former New York Philharmonic Concertmaster John Corigliano Sr.: "My childhood years were punctuated by snatches of the great concertos being practiced by my father, as well as scales and technical exercises he used to keep in shape. Every year, he played a concerto with the Philharmonic (and in other venues), and I vividly remember the solo preparation, violin and piano rehearsals, orchestral rehearsals, and the final tension-filled concerts. ... [Joshua Bell's] playing resembles that of my father; he is an artist in the grand tradition."

Speaking about his upcoming performances, Joshua Bell said: "Playing the soundtrack for The Red Violin 20 years ago was one of the most rewarding projects of my career, and John Corigliano's Oscar-winning score is simply a masterpiece. I'm so excited to relive the experience for the New York Philharmonic in front of a live audience."

François Girard's 1998 drama The Red Violin imagines the history of a violin through four centuries and five countries, from its creation in 1681 Cremona to its many owners and, ultimately, to an auction house in modern-day Montreal.

The Red Violin in Concert is a Schirmer Theatrical production and part of its film with live orchestra series.

The concerts are complemented by the Insights at the Atrium event "Mastering Sound and Story in The Red Violin," Monday, October 15, 2018, at 7:30 p.m., featuring composer John Corigliano, violinist Joshua Bell, and Rhombus Media producer Niv Fichman and moderated by New York Philharmonic Vice President, External Affairs, Adam Crane.

Single tickets start at $49. (Ticket prices subject to change.)

Tickets may be purchased online at nyphil.org or by calling (212) 875-5656, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5:00 p.m. Sunday. Tickets may also be purchased at the David Geffen Hall Box Office. The Box Office opens at 10:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and at noon on Sunday. On performance evenings, the Box Office closes one-half hour after performance time; other evenings it closes at 6:00 p.m.

Photo: Chris Lee