Gilles Apap, an electrifying violinist and musical innovator whom famed virtuoso Yehudi Menuhin called “a musician for the 21st century,” returns to the Chilkat Center auditorium for a performance with his trio 6 p.m. Saturday, April 23.
“His concerts are exhilarating and astonishing in terms of their virtuosity,” Haines Arts Council president Tom Heywood said this week.
Apap, who has friends in Haines, has performed here previously. His trademark is swift transitions through disparate genres of music, including Romani (gypsy), swing, Irish, bluegrass and classical.
His unpredictable style may include breaking from Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” into whistling or singing, or from a classical piece to fiddle jig. American Record Guide said of Apap: “He seems incapable of playing a single note in a way that isn’t fascinating.”
“Classical fans will be delighted as well as jazz, gypsy and folk fans,” Heywood said. “He performs globally as a soloist with many different orchestras. He loves all styles of music and mixes and matches all genres.”
It’s been about five years since Apap has visited here, he said. Apap also is playing in Skagway, Whitehorse, Y.T. and Atlin, B.C.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $8 for students and $40 for a family. For more information, go to gillesapap.com.
Tomas Kubinek, “certified lunatic and master of the impossible,” performs 7 p.m. Thursday May 5 at the center. Kubinek performs physical theater, comedy and vaudeville and has performed on Broadway.
Keller Williams, a nationally known “one-man-jam-band,” performs here June 6.