Violinist Doori Na Performs Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

August 9, 2022, 10:05 AM · The pandemic created a few silver linings for me and one was becoming "virtual buddies" with violinist Doori Na. He was truly busy over the last few years, even when live performing all but came to a screeching halt. He posted weekly videos and made a commitment to learn new repertoire during his time in isolation. It wasn’t long before polite, soft-spoken, unassuming Doori let us know that he was going to try to do his part to change classical music.

His manifesto goes something like this: I am a life-long classical musician who has been unaware of great music by minority composers. Some of this is not my fault, but some of it is. From this moment forward, I am diving into a new world of composition that I know very little about. I plan to learn as much about minority composers as I have about the great European masters. And I am committed to sharing this knowledge with my community and audiences.

True to his word, Doori recently performed Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Suite for Violin and Piano, Op. 3 at The Green Music Center at Sonoma State University, with the wonderful pianist Peter Dugan. According to Doori, their performance is one of only two live recordings of the complete suite currently housed on YouTube.

The duo gives an absolutely splendid performance of the four-movement suite – a piece that, in my humble opinion, is worthy of more prominence. And while I can attest to Doori’s technical virtuosity, this piece calls more upon a rich sound, beautiful phrasing, and keen musical insight. It is well within the technical range of a strong student violinist. Please take a listen and don’t miss the stunningly beautiful Cavatina, starting at 2:47.

Replies

Richard Pairaudeau

August 9, 2022 at 06:06 PM · Delicious music. Thanks, Diana!

Joe Gladstone

August 9, 2022 at 08:33 PM · Oh Diana. You are so right that this is for me! Thank you for sharing it. That was a magnificent work which jumped immediately to my emotions as you knew it would. And everything you say is true - it was performed beautifully. I especially want to say that Peter Dugan is marvelous. I will immediately research other works by Samuel Coleridge Taylor. This work won’t replace the

Franck violin sonata or the Arensky piano trios or Brahms and Beethoven violin sonatas that I adore, but will certainly be added to the list. Thank you!

Diana Skinner

August 10, 2022 at 01:57 AM · Richard, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Joe, The collaboration between Na and Dugan was quite special. And I'm glad you've added a new composer to the rotation!

jean dubuisson

August 10, 2022 at 09:02 AM · splendid indeed, and...sans shoulder rest ;-)

Diana Skinner

August 10, 2022 at 01:31 PM · Oh, good grief, Jean! I hadn't even noticed that! Now I don't see how I didn't. So glad you enjoyed the work!

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