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.