Rachel Barton Performs in Oak Park

Rachel Barton the young, talented violin virtuoso
arrived at the 19th Century Woman's Club on Thursday,
the 24th of February to perform two special concerts.
One of  the concerts was held at 1:30 pm for the benefit
of Oak Park’s students, many of whom study some given
string instrument in one of the town's orchestras.  The room
was packed and the students were given a treat of some of
the finest violin playing that anyone could hear.  She began
by playing Antonio Vivaldi’s “Winter Concerto” from his
larger work “The Four Seasons”.  There was a large applause
and then a piece entitled; “Souvenir d'Amerique” by Msr.
Henri Vieuxtemps’.  This was a selection played after
Ms. Barton asked how many of the students there had
friends who did not listen to Classical Music.  The majority
of the students raised their hands and then Ms. Barton went
to express that not all Classical music is quiet and dull, that
some of it was quite lively.  She played the selection by
Henri Vieuxtemps’ showing the students that a fast bowed,
double fisted presentation of Americana written more than
a hundred years ago can have some real zip to it.  She
then went on to speak of Chevalier De Meude-Monpas
a bi-racial classical composer in the court of the French King
Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. Chevalier De Meude-Monpas
had parents of European and African countries and was born in
Paris.  He was a musketeer and when he wasn’t defending the country
he was writing books on music and composing pieces to perform.
Ms. Barton played Concerto No. 4  in D major (1776) by 
Chevalier De Meude-Monpas.

A violin concerto by another bi-racial composer named
Joseph White, was performed for the students as well.
He was born to a French businessman and an Afro-Cuban woman.  
Mr. White was well known and admiredmy many in his day. 
The popular Gioaccino Rossini wrote, "Thewarmth of your 
execution, the feeling, the elegance, the brilliance
of the school to which you belong, show the qualities in you as 
an artist of which the French school may be proud." When Mr. White
traveled to the United States to play in 1876 some called him the
best who ever visited America.  These two fine selections of composers 
helped bring a classical music tribute to Black History
Month.

Antonnio Bazzini’s “ The Round of the Goblins” was next
for the students delight.  Ms. Barton commented that many
persons in his day thought that “ he must have sold his soul
to the devil” because of the skill and style that he used in
his performances.  His whistle tones,  harmonics, and wild
style of the era made him much sought after to hear.  Ms. Barton
went on to comment that she had not sold her soul to anyone,
but made up for it by practicing a lot.  The conclusion of
“The Round of the Goblins” had some bowed sounds that
were indeed wild in their precise beauty of execution and
technique-almost like a canary on helium and stimulants.

Students then asked how long she had been studying the
violin and how often she practiced.  Ms. Barton replied
that she been playing the violin since she was three years
old and that she is now twenty five years old.  She went
on to comment that at three years old she played only
15 minutes a day, from the age of ten on she practiced
between six and seven hours each day, and  at the age
of eighteen she practiced eight hours a day.  Ms. Barton
also noted for the students that she was home schooled
and that allowed her extra time on the violin.  Another
student wanted to know where else she studied her
instrument and Ms. Barton said that she had studied
at the Music Institute of Chicago, which is located
in Winnetka, Illinois.

Ms. Barton went on the mention to the young students
that she was only able to practice as much as she did
because she was home schooled and that they should
at least practice some every day and to try and keep
it the same amount each day.

Flowers were presented to Ms. Barton and her staff
and a round of applause with a standing ovation helped
show the students appreciation for the event.

Rachel Barton then concluded her performance with
a beautifully stylized version of the our countries
National Anthem.

The event was organized by Ms. Naomi Law with District 97
Special Services Department.  The event was paid for by
District 97 and the Oak Park Chamber of Commerce in recognition
of Random Acts of Kindness.  The other perfomance was held
at 7:30 pm on the same day.

Ms. Barton has a Web site and CDs for sale have a look.

http://www.RachelBarton.com

story by Ed Vincent