Violinist Joshua Bell set to sweep Oberlin of its feet

On Tuesday, the cutest male violinist holding a stradivarius today is going to perform a recital in Finney Chapel. Joshua Bell, hailed for his "robust tone, visceral excitement and passionate lyricism" by the New York Times, will be performing J.S. Bach's Sonata No. 4 in C Minor for Violin and Keyboard, Franck's famous Sonata in A Minor for Violin and Piano, the dramatic Brahms' Sonata No. 1 in G Major for Violin and Piano, Gershwin's Three Preludes, and the flashy showpiece, Zigeunerweisen, by Sarasate.

Bell is a native Midwesterner born in Bloomington, Indiana. His principal teacher was the renowned pedagogue Joseph Gingold, who was the concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra for years and also taught conservatory violin faculty member Marilyn McDonald.

Bell's fame began at age 14 when he won the Seventeen Magazine/ General Motors competition and made his debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He has since risen to become one of the concert violinists most in demand today and has performed with the world's leading orchestras, including Cleveland, Boston, New York and Los Angeles.

Moviegoers will get to hear Bell's playing in the new film, The Red Violin, by director Francois Gerard (Thirty-Two Short Films About Glenn Gould). He will also be releasing a recording on Sony Classical of The Red Violin Fantasy by composer John Corigliano this Spring as well as performing the piece under the direction of Robert Spano (OC '84) and the San Francisco Symphony, the Boston Symphony, and other major orchestras.

Joshua Bell's performance will be accompanied by Simon Mulligan. Don't miss this chance to see (and hear) one of today's most renowned violinists play a fantastic and exciting program.

Joshua Bell performs Tuesday April 14 at Finney Chapel at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 and $10 OCID, $16 and $14 faculty, staff and seniors, and $18 and $16 for the general public.

More than just a pretty face: Swooner Joshua Bell visits Finney Chapel for a Bach and Franck program Tuesday.(photo courtesy of the Artists Recital Series)