In September, I heard violinist Akiko Kamigawara playing unaccompanied Bach in front of a Woodstock drugstore. The chance encounter led to an article in our sister paper Woodstock Times on the young violinist, who was born in Japan, studied there and in Europe and is now living near Woodstock. Within a week of the article, Kamigawara was playing in the first violin section of the Woodstock Chamber Orchestra.
At the time, she spoke about street performances: “I always do my best when I play the violin,” she said, “even outdoors. I’ve learned many things from street performances. But I miss giving a concert ‘under the roof,’ where I find it’s a more appropriate place to share deep musical ideas with an audience.”
On Sunday, November 23 at 3 p.m., Kamigawara will make her Hudson Valley area “under the roof” debut at the Holy Trinity Church in Poughkeepsie. The concert – part of the “Afternoon with the Classics” series at the church – will be a challenging recital of music for unaccompanied violin. Kamigawara’s program includes one of the Fantasies for unaccompanied violin by Telemann, Astor Piazzolla’s Tango Étude and Alan Ridout’s Ferdinand the Bull for violin and narrator. And the centerpiece will be Bach’s great Partita No. 2 for solo violin, which includes the famous “Chaconne.”
The weather in Woodstock is no longer welcoming for outdoor violin-playing. But for those who have heard her skillful outdoor performances, the opportunity to hear Akiko Kamigawara indoors will be a rare treat.
Akiko Kamigawara solo violin recital, Sunday, November 23, 3 p.m., $25/$10/$5, Holy Trinity Church, 775 Main Street, Poughkeepsie; (845) 471-0520, www.holytrinitypoughkeepsie.com.
Join the family! 
