November 5, 2009
Barry Lieberman presents double bassist Gary Karr, Part II on Nov. 15
Gary Karr, considered by many to be the most iconic double bassist of our time, will return to the School of Music for the second part of an extensive interview with Barry Lieberman at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, in Brechemin Auditorium.
The interview format will employ historical recordings by Karr as well as performance by Karr and his musical partner, Harmon Lewis. Part I of the interview, conducted by Barry Lieberman in 2007 in Brechemin Auditorium, may be viewed at www.youtube.com under “Gary Karr.”
Karr’s breakthrough came in 1962, when he was featured as a soloist in a nationally televised New York Philharmonic Young People’s Concert, conducted by Leonard Bernstein. On that famous telecast, Karr performed “The Swan” from Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saens.
He has since appeared as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Simon Bolivar Orchestra, Jerusalem Symphony, Oslo Philharmonic, Zurich Chamber Orchestra, and with all the major orchestras of Australia.
He has premiered new works written for him and has taught double bass on the faculties of the Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, Yale University, Indiana University, and North Carolina School of the Arts. Karr also has published a number of instructional books for the double bass. He focuses on finding one’s unique sound on the double bass and approaching one’s playing with the lyrical emphasis of a singer. He is now retired and living in Victoria, B.C.
Tickets for the event are $10, cash or check at the door. 206-685-8384.
