Odin Rathnam Presents Bach Project with Hershey Symphony

Violinist Odin Rathnam, in cooperation with the Hershey Symphony, presents "The Bach Project." This series of three concerts (Summer 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018) offers the complete unaccompanied Sonatas and Partitas of Johann Sebastian Bach, supplemented by works By Ysaye, Kreisler, Piazzolla and Paganini.

The first concert will be held at First United Methodist Church of Hershey on Sunday, July 9, 2017 at 3pm. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased online at hersheysymphony.org or at the door.

Each program, lasting approximately one hour, will feature Odin Rathnam, alone on solo violin. Program One features the sunny E major Partita by Bach, then Kreisler's virtuosic "Recitativo and Scherzo Caprice", followed by Bach's G minor Sonata and finally, Astor Piazzolla's provocative "Tango Etude No. 3".

Proceeds from this concert will benefit the Hershey Symphony Orchestra and, specifically, its upcoming chamber concert series.

"I'm so exicted to debut this series to benefit such a great organization. The Hershey Symphony is a mid-state staple and has grown into a cultural treasure. It's my hope that these concerts pave the way for them to bring more chamber music offerings into the great community of Hershey." says Odin Rathnam.

Paul Metzger, executive director of the Hershey Symphony says "I certainly can't think of anyone better to partner with on something like this than our good friend, Odin. He's a Virtuoso's virtuoso."

American violinist Odin Rathnam has established himself as one of the most passionate and versatile artists of his generation. He has received unanimous praise from critics and audiences for his "captivating temperament," "brilliant technique" and a sound "recalling the legendary violinists of the past".

First United Methodist Church of Hershey is located at 64 West Chocolate Avenue. Parking is free.

More About Odin Rathnam

Since his critically acclaimed Lincoln Center debut in 1993, the American violinist Odin Rathnam has established himself as one of the most passionate and versatile artists of his generation. He has received unanimous praise from critics and audiences for his "captivating temperament," "brilliant technique" and a sound "recalling the legendary violinists of the past". A veteran performer at many major European and American festivals including the Algarve International Music Festival in Portugal, Denmark's Tivoli and Vendsyssel Festivals, Deia International Festival in Mallorca, Boswil Festival in Switzerland, Aspen, Caramoor and Endless Mountain Music Festivals, he has also appeared in recital on the Market Square Concerts series, Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Recital Hall, where he first appeared at the age of 15.

As a soloist, Odin Rathnam has performed with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, the Philippine Philharmonic, the Colombian National Symphony, the Harrisburg Symphony, Philadelphia Virtuosi, the Lancaster Symphony, the York Symphony, the EMMF Orchestra, The New Amsterdam Symphony , the San Juan Symphony Orchestra, Randers Chamber Orchestra, among others. During his distinguished career of more than 30 years, he has enjoyed the fortune of collaborating as a guest soloist, concertmaster and leader with many distinguished conductors, including Sergiu Commissiona , Pinchas Zukerman, JoAnnFalletta, Stephen Gunzenhauser, Olivier Ochanine, Lawrence Golan, Arthur Post, Stuart Malina, Daniel Spalding and many more, appearing in the United States, Canada, Europe and the Far East.

Upcoming performances include a three concert series in the Mid State of Pennsylvania, presenting the complete Sonatas and Partitas of J.S. Bach, as well as works by Paganini, Ysaye , Kreisler and Piazzola, a regional tour of violin and piano recitals with works by Strauss, Stravinsky, Chausson and Sarasate and orchestral solo appearances featuring works by Bruch, Bach and Sarasate.

Mr. Rathnam received his formal training at Juilliard Pre-College and Mannes College of Music with Sally Thomas and Ann Setzer, returning to the Juilliard School as a full scholarship student of Dorothy DeLay and Masao Kawasaki. He studied chamber music with Julius Levine, Felix Galimir, Joel Smirnoff, and Josef Gingold. He also worked closely with the Danish violinist and pedagogue Anker Buch , who is credited by many for bringing Ivan Galamian's teachings to Denmark.

Mr. Rathnam's recordings can be found on The Helikon, West Branch and Kleos labels, with works by Mendelssohn, Vivaldi, Strauss and Schoenberg.

Odin Rathnam performs on a late 19th century violin crafted by an unknown master, in the manner of Guarnerius Del Gesu's middle period.

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