Violin Prodigy - Chad Hoopes and the NSO

Despite spending so much time around music, I would be hard pressed to tell anyone what instrument I like the best. Every instrument is capable of playing beautiful music and it's based on my mood or what I'm listening to at the time. If I had to pick my top instruments though, I'd probably say piano, guitar, clarinet, violin, and mandolin. Last night, violin was at the top of my list. Chad Hoopes is only 22 years old but he has already travelled around the world and is making a big name for himself on the classical stage. He has been playing the violin since the age of 3 (how is that possible???) and began his study in the Cleveland Institute. He later studied in violin in a prestigious school in Germany and has since went on tour, playing with a variety of orchestras and symphonies. He has garnered critical acclaim and I'm simply marveled at how young he is, only a few months older than I am!

I was floored by the talent of Hoopes. He's definitely the best violin player I've ever heard in concert and this might be the best classical performance of the year for me! He played a suite by Tchaikovsky, who happens to be my favorite composer! His high notes were a pleasing as any other note and he played with such emotion and grace it seemed he was telling a story through the music. I felt like I was transported to another time and place, guided only by sound! The NSO was a perfect accompaniment and guest conductor Stephane Deneve was great at facilitating the exchange between orchestra and soloist. The NSO also played great pieces by Ravel and Debussy which were top notch, as usual. There wasn't a huge crowd tonight so I really got to watch and listen to a lot of the show. I felt like people knew they were in the presence of greatness and it's so great that Hoopes still has his whole career in front of him! Great show!

My favorite part of the shoe was the first movement of the Tchaikovsky piece! It was absolutely beautiful composition and Hoopes violin flowed effortlessly through the arpeggios and runs. Definitely won't be the last I hear of him!

As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

DC

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Chad Hoopes