Husband & wife bring ancient tunes to UCLA
By Daily Bruin Staff
Nov. 30, 2000 9:00 p.m.
 UCLA Performing Arts Duo Calabrese
performs with the viola d’amore and violin.
By Sophia Whang
Daily Bruin Contributor
While the phrase “making beautiful music together”
is usually associated with a pick-up line, a real-life couple is
bringing new meaning to the expression.
Duo Calabrese has produced romantic tunes and sweet melodies
throughout the world. Now the UCLA community can indulge in its
harmony this weekend, as it performs a variety of works from the
Baroque to the Contemporary period, such as Biber’s
“Passacaglia in G minor,” and SlavÃk’s
“Intermezzo for Violin and Viola d’Amore.”
John Anthony Calabrese, who plays the rare viola d’amore,
and his wife, violinist Gabriela Olcese, formed Duo Calabrese in
1993. This unusual combination of instruments and the pairing of
the two musicians seized international interest, with even
contemporary composers dedicating specific works to the acclaimed
duo.
Although Calabrese said playing solo makes him feel more like a
virtuoso, playing with his wife turns performances into chamber
music.
“When you play with someone else, it is a little bit
different than when playing alone. You have to cooperate,”
Calabrese said. “People want chamber music now, so (the
combination) works well.”
The program also features many solos, since the main focus is on
the delicate sounds which Calabrese’s viola d’amore is
famous for. He has played as a soloist with orchestras around the
United States and Europe, and recently released the world premiere
recording of of Leos Janacek’s second string quartet with
viola d’amore for the Supraphon label.
Calabrese discovered the viola d’amore while studying the
violin in Italy on a Fulbright Grant about 30 years ago. This
mysterious instrument first appeared in Western culture in the 17th
century and was believed to have originated from a type of
instrument found in the Orient.
“It’s really like three instruments,”
Calabrese said. “It is a combination of a violin, a viola,
and a cello, all in one.”
Unlike those other bowed instruments, which each have four
strings, the viola d’amore has fourteen strings and the
ability to differ greatly in ranges of sound and dynamics. The most
interesting feature of this instrument is found on its scroll,
where there rests a carved, blindfolded head of love, which fully
captures the meaning of the Italian name, “the viola of
love.”
With or without this love in the air, the cooperation Calabrese
mentioned is always necessary in performing a duet. In the second
half of the program, where contemporary pieces call for greater use
of the violin, Calabrese must cooperate with his wife as the viola
d’amore steps back at times to accompany the violin.
Olcese has racked up many accolades throughout her career,
including scholarships from the Antorchas and Osepyan Foundations,
and has appeared solo at the Pisa Festival. She is also currently a
member of the Orchestra of the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires. She
and Calabrese formed Duo Calabrese with the intention of exploring
the unique repertoire of the two instruments and because of the
convenience of working with each other.
According to Calabrese, the combination of the violin and viola
d’amore is uncommon because the violin is completely
different than his instrument.
Additionally, finding music written for the ancient instrument
is often difficult.
“Because they were made in the 17th century, most of them
are all in museums. Secondly, the written music are all manuscripts
in libraries,” Calabrese said.
He added that the amount of skill required to play the viola
d’amore means that performances involving it in combination
with other instruments are rare.
“A violin is already complicated with four strings. It
just gets more complicated (with fourteen strings),” he
said.
Calabrese also said that the instrument has remained obscure
today because of its sound.
“It is an instrument that has a very sweet sound and today
everyone is looking for big sounds. It has sort of been
forgotten,” he said. “I call it the sleeping
beauty.”
When asked if his performances were geared more toward
communicating with the audience or himself as an artist, Calabrese
mentioned it was a little bit of both.
“I like to perform for the audience and feel their
reaction. It inspires me, and I make a communication with
them,” Calabrese said.
“That gives me a reward, but since the viola d’amore
is so unknown, most of the time I continue to study it for myself
just because I like it. And when there is finally a concert, I am
happy to play it and share it with the people,” he said.
With the help of his wife, Calabrese hopes to reawaken this
sleeping beauty and enliven it with the talent critics rave about,
and the music within him he has so diligently prepared to share
with his audience. Although interaction with the attendants is
planned in a center stage discussion an hour before the concert, it
is certain that Calabrese intends to further communicate and
express his emotions throughout his entire performance.
MUSIC: Duo Calabrese performs at UCLA’s
Schoenberg Hall, Sunday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. This event features a
center stage discussion at 3 p.m. with artist John Calabrese.
Tickets are available for $30; $9 for UCLA students with ID. For
more information call (310) 825-2101, or go to www.performingarts.ucla.edu.
