Went to an amazing show tonight at Housing Works Used Book Cafe. [All proceeds for all performances at this venue benefit Housing Works an advocacy and aid organization for homeless people living with HIV/AIDS.] Chris Thile the incredible mandolin player from Nickel Creek and Hilary Hahn the incredible classical violinist. They played separately and together. They rearranged pieces for solo violin or violin and keyboards to be for violin and mandolin. They also did a Dylan cover for the encore – “Masters of War.” They each have new CDs highly recommended.
Chris Thile
Chris Thile – How to Grow a Woman from the Ground Fantastic mandolin playing and a southern voice make for some good music. Check out the videos below for Chris Thile in action. The second song is from this CD and was written by Jack White of The White Stripes
Hilary Hahn
Hilary Hahn – Paganini: Violin Concerto No. 1 / Spohr: Violin Concerto No. 8 – Gesangsszene She performs Paganini and Spohr with virtuosity. If you enjoy the thunder and calm a violin can inspire get this CD.
Below are 4 videos from Chris Thile’s start to the evening – he likens himself to the “musical corndog” of the evening compared to Hilary’s elegance and what a mighty fine corndog was he. I wish I had more memory cards to record more of this evening. The venue was packed and people were on their feet and cheering. More classical shows should have this unstuffy, rocking vibe to them. Guess they should keep combining with bluegrass.
Video 1/4: Untitled
Video 2/4: Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground
[by Jack White of The White Stripes]
Video 3/4: I am your musical corndog banter
Stay Away
Video 4/4: J.S. Bach – Gigue from the D Minor Partita
He introduces this as Foie Gras infused relish to extend the musical corndog metaphor.
Bonus: Toxic covered by Nickel Creek at SXSW 2006
