Shortly after attending the NRO as co-concertmaster in 2012, Eric Gratz became concertmaster of the San Antonio Symphony, a post he assumed at only 22 years old, ending the orchestra’s seven year search to fill the vacancy.
Mr. Gratz states, “My summer at NRO was transformational. The support I got from such wonderful and talented colleagues, as well as being dropped into the proverbial deep end in terms of repertoire and responsibility, was absolutely instrumental in helping me become an artist. I wouldn’t have the experience, positivity, and confidence to be successful in this world without that summer.”
In his eponymous debut album, he performs some of his favorite recital works, brilliantly accompanied by pianist Euntaek Kim. The program’s eclecticism reflects Gratz’s endless tonal palette, as well as his ability to make even the most fiendishly difficult passages sound easy. “I figured it was time to share what I have to say in these treasures of the virtuoso repertoire,” says Gratz.
Praised as “eloquent” (Dallas Morning News), he has performed as soloist for over a decade on three continents, and consistently proves that despite his young age, he has already developed a mature musical voice:
“Spellbinding. . . a disciplined musician beyond his years.”
-San Antonio Express-News
“[A] natural authority. . . His playing is impeccable.”
-Sebastian Lang-Lessing, Opus 3 Artist (Conductor)
Gratz recorded the album in Mixon Hall at his alma mater, the Cleveland Institute of Music. He used the “ex-Isaac Stern” Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume violin for the recording, on loan from Chicago firm Kenneth Warren & Son. Born in Fresno, CA in 1991, he studied with Cynthia Stuart and Claudia Shiuh, and later with Linda Cerone, William Preucil, and Cho-Liang Lin.
As a teenager, he made his solo debut with The Cleveland Orchestra, and recital debut at the Kennedy Center. He continues to make important steps forward, including recent invitations to Cactus Pear Music Festival, Austin Chamber Music, Incontri Musicali, and the Mainly Mozart Festival. More information can be found at www.ericgratz.net.
Track Listing
1 Dmitri Shostakovich (arr. Tsyganov)
Prelude no. 10 from 24 Preludes, op. 34
2 Dmitri Shostakovich (arr. Tsyganov)
Prelude no. 24 from 24 Preludes, op. 34
3 Robert Schumann
Intermezzo from F-A-E Sonata
4 Fritz Kreisler
Recitativo and Scherzo
5 Fritz Kreisler
Berceuse Romantique
6 Camille Saint-Saëns
Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso
7 Henryk Wieniawski
Légende
8-11 Eugène Ysaÿe
Sonata no. 2, “Obsession”
Obsession – Prelude
Malinconia
Danse des Hombres: Sarabande
Les Furies
12 Nathan Milstein
Paganiniana