Press Release
In 2016 Spanish violinist Francisco Fullana was awarded an extraordinary gift – the long-term use of the 1735 “Mary Portman” Guarneri del Gesu violin. This exquisite instrument was once owned and played by one of the most famous violinists of all time – Fritz Kreisler.
Fritz Kreisler, an Austrian violinist and composer (1875-1962), is considered one of the greatest violinists of all time, known for his beautiful tone and expressive phrasing. The Guarneri was his first major instrument purchase, and he wrote many solo works for violin, including the famous “Liebesleid” and “Liebesfreud.”
For Francisco Fullana, the “Mary Portman” Guarneri del Gesu, affectionately called “Miss Mary” and on loan from the Stradivari Society, was a perfect fit for his own playing. Fullana previously played on a Stradivarius violin but found that the Guarneri, which allows for more physicality, was a better match.
“The more engaged you are, the more the instrument gives you,” explains Fullana.
Francisco himself has a larger-than-life personality which is amazing to see displayed on the stage. His enthusiasm for music is infectious, and when working with students he is able to lead performances bubbling with youthful energy and excitement.
On Friday, March 3rd Fullana will perform at Sottile Theatre with the award-winning Charleston County School of the Arts Sinfonietta. Made up of 31 High School string students, the Sinfonietta will be performing a challenging program of music including Dimitri Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony, Jessie Montgomery's “Strum,” and Fritz Kreisler's Preludium and Allegro. Fullana will serve as guest concertmaster for the program, moving up to the soloist position for the Kreisler work. This promises to be a thrilling performance that showcases Fullana's talent and passion for music, as well as the beautiful “Mary Portman” Guarneri del Gesu violin.
What: Francisco Fullana and the SOA Sinfonietta
When: Friday, March 3, 2023 at 7 pm
Where: College of Charleston Sottile Theatre, 44 George Street.
Tickets are available through the George Street Box Office online at gsbo.cofc.edu or by phone at 843.953.4726. More information is available online at chambermusiccharleston.org.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Spanish-born violinist Francisco Fullana, winner of the 2018 Avery Fisher Career Grant, is making a name for himself as both a performer and a leader of innovative educational institutions. As a soloist, he has performed the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the Bayerische Philharmonie led by the late Sir Colin Davis, the Sibelius Concerto with the Münchner Rundfunkorchester, and the Brahms Violin Concerto with Venezuela's Teresa Carreño Orchestra under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel. In March he will perform as soloist for Vivaldi's Four Seasons in New York City's Carnegie Hall with the Grammy-Award winning ensemble Apollo's Fire.
“Through my formative years at Juilliard and beyond, I realized that experiences centered on active learning and collaborations with world class musicians exponentially accelerated my learning process and were life-changing,” explains Mr. Fullana. “By working with students as equal collaborators, one can lead the creative process through a collective effort that has transformative long-term effects in students' artistic development.”
The Charleston County School of the Arts is a public Middle and High School that offers students rich and intensive instruction in eight Art majors in middle school and nine Art majors in high school. Students may apply and audition for two areas, and once accepted into a major, spend one-fourth of their day with dynamic teachers in that art area. Art majors include instrumental band, creative writing, dance, piano, string orchestra, theater, visual art and vocal music. SOA's students excel at the local, state and national level, earning awards, scholarships, and the respect of audience members, peers, and patrons of the arts.
Students also participate in an appropriately challenging academic curriculum that includes college preparatory, honors, and Advanced Placement courses. Clubs, community service, and unique school events tailored to meet the interests of young artists, provide additional opportunities for expression and involvement. We want our students to maximize their potential and then find out how their art can impact the world around them.
The SOA Sinfonietta, under the direction of Dr. Christopher Selby, is the select high school string ensemble made up of the most accomplished string players at the Charleston School of the Arts. They perform collegiate and professional chamber orchestra repertoire, and many of the members continue their musical studies in college and pursue a professional career in music.
This project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is also supported by funding provided to the South Carolina Arts Commission from a partnership with the S.C. Department of Education from American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds.
