Virtuoso violinist Robert McDuffie looks forward to performing at the National Memorial Day Concert on the Mall to mark its 20th anniversary. The live musical program honoring the service and sacrifice of men and women in uniform and their families is broadcast to millions of viewers on PBS.
Along with McDuffie, the celebrated musical artists featured are country star Trace Adkins, pianist Lang Lang, opera singer Denyce Graves and Broadway stars Brian Stokes Mitchell and Colm Wilkinson. They and crack musical organizations from various services will be backed by Erich Kunzel conducting the National Symphony Orchestra.
In keeping with the patriotic theme, McDuffie has chosen “Ashokan Farewell” from “The Civil War,” the Ken Burns documentary of 2000. Composed by Jay Ungar for the TV series soundtrack, it evokes instant memory of the show’s striking scenes and narrations.
“I remember how meaningful the piece was at that time and continues to be,” McDuffie says. “I’ll also play the Bach-Gounod ‘Ave Maria’ to honor those we’ve lost in battle throughout our history. The Memorial Day concert is always an important event and a time to reflect on our nation’s past.”
For the next six months, McDuffie and composer Philip Glass will prepare for the world premiere of Glass’s Violin Concerto No. 2, “The American Four Seasons,” with the Toronto Symphony in December. The European premiere with the London Philharmonic in April 2010 will be followed by the United States premiere at the Aspen Music Festival in July 2010. McDuffie and the Venice Baroque Orchestra will then embark on a 35-city tour, including Washington, performing “Four Seasons” by both Glass and Vivaldi. European and Asian tours will continue until 2013.
“Philip crosses so many spectrums that he is America’s most successful composer and I consider him our Vivaldi,” McDuffie says. “I’m pleased that this is finally happening after suggesting six or seven years ago that he write the piece for me, and I look forward to seeing the final version. He’ll use the same instrumentation Vivaldi used except for a synthesizer instead of a harpsichord.”
McDuffie is not only one of the most popular violin soloists worldwide, but also a Distinguished Professor of Music at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, his hometown. Additionally, he is also the Founder and Artistic Director of the Rome Chamber Music Festival held each June in Gonfalone Oratory, an intimate venue resembling a small Sistine Chapel. In recognition of his contribution to the city’s cultural life, the Mayor of Rome awarded him the Premio Simpatia.
“I’m in love with the city and wanted to do something musically satisfying for it,” McDuffie says. “It’s taken off, the Romans love it, competition, music students need extra weapons for the real world.”
