October 30, 2003
School of Music guest brings distinguished credentials from 40-year career
From Nov. 12 to Nov. 16, the UW School of Music is expecting an important visitor. Double bassist Gary Karr will be the Hans and Thelma Lehmann Distinguished Visiting Professor, and will perform three concerts during his time here.
“The Lehmann Distinguished Visiting Professorship has brought a wealth of illustrious visiting professors to our school,” said Robin McCabe, director of the School of Music. “We are delighted to welcome Gary Karr this year.”
Since his debut with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic in 1962, Karr has performed as a soloist on six continents with orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony, the London Philharmonic and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra. The BBC has featured two films about Karr — one on his life and music (Amazing Bass) and the other a series for children.
Karr received the 1997 Artist/Teacher of the Year Award from the American String Teachers Association, and the 1995 Distinguished Achievement Award from the International Society of Bassists. He and his accompanist, Harmon Lewis — who will be in Seattle with him — have embarked on a major recording project that will include most of the works they have transcribed and performed over the past 30 years.
Karr will perform Dragonetti’s Concerto in A major and Paganini’s Moses Fantasy with the University Symphony at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13 in Meany Theater. On Saturday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m., he’ll join the best double bass students in the Pacific Northwest for a recital in Brechemin Auditorium in the School of Music. And on Sunday, Nov. 16, Karr and Harmon will perform solo works, then join Professor Barry Lieberman and his students in double bass ensembles at 2 p.m. in Brechemin Auditorium.
The Saturday concert is free; tickets for the other two are $10, $8 for students. To get tickets for the Thursday concert, contact the Arts Ticket Office, 206-543-4880. Tickets for the Sunday concert are available by calling 206-685-8384.
The Lehman Professorship was established by the late Hans Lehmann, an eminent cardiologist and patron of the arts.
