The Red Violin: Kaspar Weiss, Musical Prodigy

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   • The Red Violin: Kaspar Weiss, Musical Prod...  

The red violin's journey begins. From Italy, it travels to Austria by way of an itinerant merchant who sells it to an orphanage run by monks. The violin is passed down from one musically gifted child to the next for 100 years, until it falls into the hands of Kaspar Weiss (actor, Christoph Koncz), an exceptional prodigy with a weak heart.

The monks caring for him decide to audition Kaspar before a violin master, Monsieur Poussin (actor, Jean-Luc Bideau), who immediately sees a diamond in the rough worth investing in. So Kaspar Weiss is taken to Vienna under the tutelage of Monsieur Poussin.

This clip only features Kaspar's outstanding playing ability, but unfortunately does not include focus on Kaspar's intense dependence on the red violin, Monsieur Poussin's failing dreams of being an important figure in Vienna's music world, nor Kaspar's outcome, whether he succeeds in Vienna or not. So if you're interested, you'll have to buy or rent the DVD, or catch the movie on TV!

Languages spoken in this clip: German and French.

All music written and arranged by John Corigliano. The first piece which was played by the orphans is a Baroque variation of the red violin's theme. The audition for Monsieur Poussin is a variation of Bach's violin concertos with the red violin's theme infused throughout. The last piece which Kaspar was practicing so diligently, is another variation from The Red Violin Caprices, the first variation on the sheet music.

Much thanks goes to dernieremode for info on the last piece! Visit dernieremode at:
   / dernieremode  

Christoph Koncz, who played Kaspar Weiss, continues to play the violin, as well as the piano, has performed all over the world, and won numerous awards.

The two following links are of a grown up Christof Koncz performing on violin and his brother Stephan on cello:
Koncz Duo plays Csárdás by V. Monti:
   • Koncz Duo plays Csárdás by V. Monti  

Koncz Duo plays Romanian Folk Dances by Béla Bartók
   • Koncz Duo plays Romanian Folk Dances by Bé...  

They are AWESOME!

You can also visit his website at:

http://www.ChristophKoncz.at.tt
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