Concert with Violinist Ilana Zaks

About this event

Join acclaimed violinist Ilana Zaks for a captivating solo recital showcasing the expressive range, technical brilliance, and storytelling power of the violin. A graduate of the New England Conservatory and Yale School of Music, Ilana is a former First Violinist of the Seattle Symphony and Seattle Opera and has studied extensively with legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman. She currently serves on the faculty of Boston University Tanglewood Institute and Rollins College, continuing her commitment to performance, mentorship, and the next generation of musicians. She brings a rare combination of orchestral experience, scholarly depth, and fearless artistry to every performance.

This program, Virtuosity and Storytelling: From Folk Roots to the Concert Stage, explores how composers draw on folk traditions, dances, and cultural heritage to create expressive and virtuosic violin music. From Bach’s dance-inspired E Major Partita to Chinese folk songs, Native American musical traditions, and American fiddle music, the program celebrates the stories and traditions that inspire music across cultures and generations.

Program

J.S. Bach — Partita No. 3 in E Major

I. Preludio

II. Loure

III. Gavotte en Rondeau

IV. Minuet I & II

V. Bourrée

VI. Gigue

Zhou Long (arr.) — A Set of Chinese Folk Songs

No. 1, Lan Hua Hua — Shaanbei region

No. 2, Driving the Mule Team — Shaanxi region

No. 3, The Flowing Stream — Yunnan region

No. 4, Jasmine Flower — Jiangsu region

No. 5, A Horseherd’s Mountain Song — Yunnan region

No. 6, When Will the Acacia Bloom? — Sichuan region

No. 7, A Single Bamboo Can Easily Bend — Hunan region

No. 8, Leaving Home — Shanxi region

Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate -- Oshta (Four)

Wynton Marsalis — Fiddle Dance Suite

II. As the Wind Goes

III. Jones’ Jig

IV. Nicola’s Strathspey

American violinist Ilana Zaks has been praised as “fearless, refreshing, and commanding.” She has appeared as a soloist with the Boston Civic Symphony, Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, and Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, among others. Her performances have been presented at major venues and cultural institutions throughout the United States, and her innovative projects blending classical music, technology, and storytelling have earned recognition from arts organizations across the country.

A recipient of top prizes at concerto competitions including the BMOP Concerto Competition and the New England Philharmonic Orchestra Competition, Ilana continues to establish herself as one of today’s compelling young violinists, combining the highest level of classical tradition with a vibrant commitment to new music and meaningful audience connection.