Joshua Bell, MusicalAmerica instrumentalist of the year in 2010 and recipient of dozens of comparable awards, is comfortable performing with a potpourri of talented friends, be they classical, pop, country or world-music artists. Already, 2012 proves to be a year rich in close relationships between violin and piano, and expanding collaborations. Fresh from recording the music for the major Chinese film production “Flowers of War,” starring Christian Bale, Bell welcomed the release of “French Impressions” on Jan. 10. The CD of exquisite sonatas by Saint-Saens, Franck and Ravel, performed with the imaginative and witty pianist Jeremy Denk, is followed by several recital tours with Denk and Sam Haywood.
Bell and Haywood arrive at the Kennedy Center on Monday with an evening of sonatas by Mendelssohn, Brahms, Ravel and Ysaye, three Gershwin preludes, and some surprises.
